Highgate School

Focus 

Individual curiosity and intellectual rigour

Day fees 2024/25

$34,600–$40,000 (incl. VAT)

Pupils 

1,942

Ages

4-18

Spear’s Review

Founded over 450 years ago in north London, Highgate is one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools. 

Highgate offers three schools in one, with a pre-prep, prep and senior school that collectively cater to over 1,900 pupils aged between 4 and 18. The senior campus is in close proximity to Hampstead Heath and combines modern facilities, such as a 200-seater auditorium, with the older Victorian buildings, including the chapel and library. 

The headmaster Adam Pettitt firmly believes that schools should be a positive environment where pupils are both driven and happy. Highgate certainly does well academically, with more than 90% of all A-Level students achieving A or A* grades.

Academics 

95 per cent of Highgate's GCSE results are 7-9 grades.

79 per cent of A-Level students achieve A or A* grades.

University and college destinations

Highgate School has an impressive track record of sending its graduates to top universities and colleges worldwide. Many students go on to attend prestigious institutions in the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, as well as other leading universities such as Imperial College London, London School of Economics, University College London and King’s College London.

In addition to these top UK universities, Highgate students are also accepted into renowned international institutions in the United States, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford.

Graduates have also gone on to universities in Europe, Canada, and other parts of the world, securing places at institutions such as ETH Zurich, University of Toronto and Sciences Po in Paris.

Head teacher

Adam Pettitt has been head of Highgate for 17 years. He previously taught at the Norwich School and Eton and has a modern languages degree from the University of Oxford.

Admissions

The admissions process at Highgate School is selective, focusing on academic potential and personal character.

For Year 7 entry, students take exams in English, mathematics, and verbal reasoning, followed by an interview. Sixth Form applicants sit subject-specific exams and attend an interview.

References and academic reports from the student’s current school are also required.

Accessibility 

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour

Location

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