INTRODUCTION:

North London's Highgate School is a coeducational day school that accepts students ages 3 to 18. In 2004, the school changed from being exclusively for males to being fully coeducational. Approximately half of the students are male and the other half are female, and they attend both local and distant state schools as well as independent ones.

Established in 1556 by the Lord Chief Justice of England, Highgate School is managed as a charity organization. In 2015, the school commemorated its 450th anniversary by launching a museum to honor its founder and past. Despite its Christian roots, the school welcomes students of all origins and faiths.

The majority of senior school classes are held at the Bishopswood Road facility, which houses the pre-prep and junior schools. However, students also participate in athletics and study art, design, engineering, and technology there.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

Families can meet the Head of the School and current students at the energetic and lively Open Days at Highgate School. Highlights of the events program include guided tours, which let potential students experience different departments and facilities.

Oversubscription Criteria:

There are no oversubscription criteria for the school.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Academic admission at Highgate School is selective. Academically gifted students who are willing to participate in extracurricular activities are sought after by the school. Before being admitted, all candidates take a paper-based exam in December of the previous year. To aid in decision-making, a report from their present school is also requested.

If your child is to be considered for Year 7 admission at Highgate School based on their 11+ grades, they must fill out an application and pay a £150 application fee. November of the year before admission is the deadline for applications.

Based on their report and test results, a considerable percentage of candidates received follow-up invitations for interviews in January. Staff members conduct group interviews with candidates to assess a variety of traits, such as their capacity for problem-solving and interpersonal interactions.

December is when Highgate sends outplacement offers, which must be accepted by March 1st. This stipulates the payment of a £4,000 deposit.

CATHCHMENT AREA:

There is no defined catchment region because students are accepted from a broad range of postcodes and, in the instance of boarding schools, from countries outside of the United Kingdom.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES:

Highgate grants music awards to students who are accepted into the school. They can be combined with a means-tested bursary to pay a higher amount of annual costs if needed, although their maximum value is 10%.

Candidates with remarkable talent who play in Grades 5-8 on their first instrument and Grade 3+ on their second instrument are eligible for music scholarships and exhibitions. Talented candidates who perform at an orchestral instrument at the Grades 3-5 level are eligible for Music Potential Awards.

Additionally, means-tested bursaries are offered; the deadline for applications is November of the year before entry. The school will investigate your income, outgoings, assets, liabilities, etc. as part of the evaluation process. Families with an annual income of no more than £30,000 are usually given priority for a free spot.

EXAM FORMAT:

Highgate School's 11+ exam comprises the following papers:

·       English

·       Mathematics

·       Non-Verbal Reasoning

The English exams, which assess analytical, creative writing, and reading comprehension, align with the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 Program of Study criteria. Technical proficiency with spelling, grammar, and vocabulary is crucial.

The Math exam assesses students' arithmetic and problem-solving abilities. Number, measurement, geometry, algebra, and statistics are among the topics covered in the paper.

The GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning test evaluates reasoning and intellect rather than knowledge by measuring comprehension, interpretation, and problem-solving skills.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

Using practice papers is a highly effective strategy for getting ready for competitive admission exams. Efficiently and effectively, these assist students in becoming acquainted with the structure and kinds of questions they would see on the real test. Students also have a great chance to practice working under time constraints with them.

Students who can routinely get 80%+ on the 11+ practice exams ought to have no trouble passing the Highgate School 11+ exam. There are no certainties, but traditionally, this has been a pretty good sign that your child would perform well on the Highgate School 11+ exam.

Summary:

Name: Highgate School

School Type: Independent co-ed day school

School Website: https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/

County: Greater London

Address:  North Road, London, N6 4AY

Email:  admissions@highgateschool.org.uk

Phone: 020 8347 3564

Number of Places Available: (Unknown)

11+ Exam Date: December of Year 6

Exam Format: School’s Own and GL Assessment

This information was last updated in December 2024.