Pastoral care
Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of all our thinking and teaching
We know joining a Sixth Form is a big change, even if you’re currently in Year 11 at Highgate. We try hard to ensure your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
You’ll join one of our 12 Houses with a tutor group of around 17 other pupils, who you’ll see every morning for registration and for other breaktime slots. Your tutor will normally stay with your group for your two years in the Sixth Form and is the go-to person for anything to do with school – from academic issues, to future plans, or if you just want to have a chat.
As well as form tutors, each House has a Head who will support you academically and pastorally, as well as the other pupils in the house. They are the person who liaises with your teachers and parents/carers, and if you have any concerns, academic or otherwise, they are on hand to help.
Download our Pastoral & Wellbeing Brochure
‘Pupils learn to respect diversity, challenge discrimination, and engage democratically through pupil councils.’
— ISI Inspection Report 2024
OUR HOUSE SYSTEM
Once a week the whole House attends a House Meeting, providing an opportunity to meet those in the years above and below. There are inter-house activities and competitions, from netball and football to debating and drama. One of the many highlights is our House Singing competition (usually in September), which gives our new Year 12 pupils (and Year 9s) a brilliant occasion to meet other members of their house.
The House system provides a smaller community feel, where you can build friendships, take part in a variety of events, and hopefully make some great memories.
LEADERSHIP ROLES
Highgate Sixth Form offers a rewarding opportunity for greater independence and responsibility, both in your studies and your personal development.
There are various ways to play your part in our school community. We have a Sixth Form Council, which represent the views of pupils in Years 12 and 13. Sixth Formers can also apply to be one of two House Captains (per house); Heads and Deputy Heads of School; Prefects, Sports Captains and committee chairs.
Together, they form the pupil leadership team to represent pupil experiences and help implement positive change around the school. They also act as role models and mentors for pupils in younger years.
PERSONAL GROWTH
Time is set aside each week for co-curricular activities, providing time away from studies to explore personal interests and make new friends. Our wide programme of activities enables pupils to have fun, whilst developing personal qualities such as self-motivation, collaboration and leadership.
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and RSE (Relationship and Sex Education) lessons play a vital part of pupils’ personal development, encouraging them to think about their role in the world, leading by example and being a good person.
In the Sixth Form, there are conversations around being responsible citizens, including within Highgate’s Bystander Intervention Programme. This unique 12-week course gives pupils the tools to challenge inappropriate or negative behaviours, empowering them to stand up for others in a constructive and safe way.
Our parents and carers
We strive to foster an authentic partnership with our parents/carers; working together to support the academic and emotional growth of the young people in our care.
Day-to-day contact is usually through our Heads of House, rather than with individual teachers; this ensures that there is someone in the School who has the full picture.
Academic progress is monitored by regular learning reviews, providing a snapshot of how your child is performing, on top of written reports. Tutors, Heads of Year/House and Heads of Section analyse feedback from teachers, offering encouragement and, where necessary, strategies for improvement. Each year group has an annual parents’ consultation meeting, at which all teaching staff are present. There are two of these for Y12 pupils – one early in the academic year, where we see how pupils are settling with the more independent way of working, and the other following the summer exams.
Our online ‘Parent Portal’ hosts a range of information and resources to assist on topics such as bereavement, mental health, alcohol and drugs, online safety, pornography and sexuality, among many others. We also run age-appropriate in-school sessions on topics such as relationships, substances, consent, life beyond school etc – often with guidance of outside speakers.
The Highgate School Parents Association aims to foster a sense of community within the parent body. It also offers a chance to feedback to the School any questions or concerns you may have. Additional parent forums are offered to explore topics in greater depth, for example Race and Ethnicity, and Anti-Sexism.