Independent Co-Educational School in London | Highgate (original) (raw)

Highgate is a top independent co-educational school in London. We welcome pupils aged 4 to 18 across our Pre-Prep, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form.

Welcome to Highgate School – we are justifiably proud of our 460-year history as a leading independent school, founded in the heart of Highgate village, north London.

Our co-educational school offers high-calibre and academically minded teaching with a focus on scholarship and independence for all, rather than on exam outcomes. Our varied co-curricular activities, and wide-reaching programme of charitable partnerships, enables pupils to develop interests and hobbies, forge lasting friendships, belong to teams, ensembles and casts, and learn the value of community.

We believe in making the most of childhood and adolescence; we want our young people to leave us intellectually and emotionally prepared for higher education and for work, as well as playing a transformative role inside and outside of school. And we want them to make great friends too.

—Adam Pettitt, Head

Aims and Ethos

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Sixth Form

SIXTH FORM

Highgate Sixth Form supports pupils aged 16–18 with a personalised A level programme, complemented by broader enrichment and wellbeing activities that equip them for leading universities and beyond.

Discover Highgate Sixth Form

Senior School

SENIOR SCHOOL

Highgate Senior School educates pupils aged 11 —16 with rigorous teaching, an incredible breadth of academic and co-curricular opportunities, and a nurturing environment that prepares students for GCSEs and Sixth Form.

Discover Highgate Senior School

Junior School

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Highgate Junior School for pupils aged 7–11 delivers an innovative curriculum that challenges children to be curious, creative and confident learners while fostering responsibility and social awareness ready for the Senior School.

Discover Highgate Junior School

Pre-Prep

PRE-PREP

Highgate Pre-Prep welcomes children aged 4–7 to ignite their love of learning alongside exceptional pastoral care; building the foundations of curiosity, inquiry and independence that will last a lifetime.

Discover Highgate Pre-Prep

Highgate is an Award Winning School

Highgate School was named Independent School of the Decade by the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2021 and was featured in the Top 20 UK independent secondary schools for academic excellence in their 2026 guide.

Visit our Awards page

Fees & Financial Support

As a charity, we are able to offer financial support towards school fees to eligible families applying to Highgate at 7+, 11+ and 16+. Bursaries can cover up to 100% of the fees throughout a pupil’s education at Highgate, making it more accessible to a wider group of academically able children.

Find out more about our bursaries here

Our current school fees can be found here

Being a bursary recipient has allowed me to reach new levels and grasp opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to

Michael, Bursary graduate 2025

Highgate News

80%

A Levels graded A*-A in 2025

The school promotes academic development without discrimination
—ISI Inspection Report 2024

31 pupils went to Oxbridge in 2025

Chapel Quad Line Drawing

Highgate People

Ms Mynott

Every other year, Geography takes A Level pupils to Iceland. It’s an incredible trip and a chance to get up close with some of the environments and landforms studied in class

Geography teacher

Ms Mynott

Ms Smith

A typical day here is full of variety but the most important aspect of my role is the on-going wellbeing and personal development of the pupils. Highgate has a fantastic team supporting each young person on their journey.

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Ms Smith

Mr McInnerney

I’m passionate about science and it’s truly rewarding to see this same passion ignited in the pupils as they explore the world around them in our exciting and varied science lessons.

Key Stage 2 Teacher

Mr McInnerney

Mrs Poll

I feel proud to work in a school where children are able to explore their learning in a way that harnesses their curiosity and creativity in a purposeful way, underpinned by rigour so that they can excel.

Deputy Principal

Mrs Poll

Ms Shelley

‘Our Year 9 Community Days and Year 10 Environment Day let pupils engage with local projects as wide-ranging as soup kitchens, charity shops and outdoor parkland areas.’

Senior Deputy Head

Ms Shelley

Dr Weston

‘At Highgate, our approach to pedagogy means we explore and adopt, where appropriate for our School, the most up-to-date methodologies for the most effective teaching that leads to deep learning.’

Assistant Head (Access and Partnerships)

Dr Weston