Parents in England do not lack choices when it comes to their children's education. The only difficulty is choosing the school that's right for their child. They must consider factors such as cost (Highgate's fees are £7840 for 7+ and up in 2022), amenities and safety. What does Highgate School have to offer?

  • expansive facilities for sports, science and engineering
  • a burgeoning Drama program
  • a growing Music Studies program
  • automatic induction into the Cholmeleian Society

Crucially, Hargate School offers a pre-prep through Sixth Form educational experience, just as Alleyn's School does. These educators know how destabilising it can be to change schools midway through a student's academic career. Thus, they strive to make their pupils' learning experiences as all-encompassing and engaging as possible. This reason alone makes it worthwhile to consider enrolling in Highgate School, no matter whether your learner is three years old or sixteen.

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About Highgate School

Highgate school is an independent coeducational day school for pupils ranging in age from three to 18. It was founded in 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley. As was typical in those days, the school accepted only boys. Over the subsequent 450 years, Highgate would open both a Junior and Pre-Preparatory School. The school now welcomes over 1400 students to its three campuses each year.

This school has not been without scandal, though. In the early 18th Century, it was found to be spending more on church activities than on educating their students. This ran contrary to the school's charitable charter; soon the law stepped in to mandate that more money be spent on education. The school compromised by building a church off-site.

Two students, each carrying a backpack, look concerned as they look at a book.
Recently, Highgate dealt with a negative atmosphere pervading the school. Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

More recently, current students and alumni wrote an open letter decrying the pervasive sexual harassment taking place on campus. Junior School students staged a walkout in protest of the school's seeming failure to investigate sexual abuse on campus. The school has since taken steps to remedy the situation by putting safeguards in place.

Such a charge is, of course, very concerning. However, we're happy to report that, two years on, no new accusations have surfaced. Today, in the words of Highgate’s Head, Adam Pettitt, the school aims to be “a happy, cohesive community where pupils enjoy life to the full, value their friendships and achieve balance in their lives.”

Whatever Head Pettitt put in place seems to be working. In 2015, 14% of students leaving Highgate accepted offers at Oxford or Cambridge University. Another 55% were accepted at other Russell Group Universities. Students at Latymer Upper School don't fare nearly that well! In addition to their impressive academic record, Highgate also offers over fifty co-curricular clubs, from Beekeeping to Olympiad Problem solving, to suit every child’s interests. Has it piqued yours?    

Like most schools, Highgate hosts several Open Days throughout the autumn term. Taking a tour of the campus and facilities will help you and your child better understand the school's mission and goals. Before making your final admissions decisions, why not go take a look?

Bookings for the 7+ Open Morning will begin in September. Bookings for 11+ and 13+ Open Days will be held later in the Autumn term, probably in early October. Bookings for 16+ Open Evenings will again be accepted just ahead of their first Open event. Mark your calendar for a mid-September date. Note that all of these timeframes are general; it would be best to bookmark Highgate's Admissions page so you'll know when they post firm dates for these events.

While you're there, read up on Highgate's invitation to all parents to come to visit the school upon registration. Visiting the school will give you more details about your child’s registration deadlines. To prepare you for your visit, we've outlined the most crucial information below. Hint: they're fairly similar to Hurtwood House's policies.     

A young woman in a light-coloured top holds a book in the crook of her arm as she browses titles on a bookshelf
Prospective students do not need to do any extra studying to sit Highgate School's entrance exams. Photo by Eliabe Costa on Unsplash

Highgate School Admissions Policies

Students applying for entry at 7+ must complete and return their registration form along with their registration fee. This must be done before the end of November as they will write their entrance examinations early the following January. Similarly, students applying for entry at 11+ and 16+ must complete and return the applicable 11+ or 16+ registration form and fee. These must be back to the school before mid-November and mid-October, respectively.

Eleven-plus applicants will then sit their entrance examinations in mid-December. Sixteen-plus applicants will complete their assessments one month after they've submitted their registration forms. For all groups, interviews will follow approximately one month later. Successful students should receive their offers roughly one month after that. Remember that these dates are general; it would be best to check Highgate's Admissions page for a more accurate timeline.  

Admissions to Junior School

Highgate School requires you to register your interest at least one year ahead of your child's proposed enrolment date. As with the older student groups, interested families will be invited to tour the campus and speak with staff members. This generally takes place in October. The deadline for applications is the following month.

Seven-plus students will sit a Maths exam and write another paper in English, as well as Reasoning. Reception students will be assessed by observation as they engage in ordinary school activities. Successful students of all grades will be invited back for an interview, after which an offer will be made; usually in January. In all, Highgate School follows Bancroft's admissions template, down to the 7+ examination structure.

A young man wearing a jeans jacket and carrying a backpack with earbuds in his ears smiles as he walks down the street.
Entry into Highgate School is competitive at all levels so if your student gets in, they have every reason to smile. Photo by Yingchou Han on Unsplash

Highgate School Interviews and Examinations

If your child is entering at 7+, they will write three 40-minute exams in Mathematics, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The Maths paper focuses on students’ ability to read and explain numbers and number sequences, as well as solve word problems in an organized and logical way. The English paper includes reading comprehension and creative writing sections. These aim to assess students’ ability to structure their writing and use basic spelling and punctuation consistently. Depending on their exam results, students may be called back for an interview two weeks following their papers.

Students entering at 11+ and 13+ will also sit papers in Mathematics, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning. These exams are structured to imitate your child’s current curriculum and do not require any additional preparation. If your child is successful in their exams, they will be invited to interview another group of students and school staff. The aim of the interview is to assess your child’s ability to listen to and work with other children, as well as their intellectual curiosity and attitude.

Finally, students entering at 16+ will interview with the Deputy Head, Assistant Head, and Director of Admissions. They will write papers in the four subjects they wish to study at A-Level. The 16+ interviews are not only used to assess academic ability and attitude but also students’ ability to listen to others and verbalize their ideas.

To prepare for your examinations and interviews, Highgate school offers a selection of specimen papers and assessment outlines. This shows how Highgate School strives to ensure that your child is familiar and comfortable with the admissions process. Highgate’s interviews are not designed to favour students who prepare in any specific way. Still, your child may find it helpful to practice verbalizing their academic interests and goals to a friend, a tutor, or simply in front of the mirror. Good luck!

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Jon

As an Englishman in Paris, I enjoy growing my knowledge of other languages and cultures. I'm interested in History, Economics, and Sociology and believe in the importance of continuous learning.