Age range. Pre-Prep, age 4–7; Junior age 7–11.
Number of pupils. Pre-Prep: 180; Junior: 451.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Pre-Prep: £7,645 (Reception–Year 2); Junior (Years 3–6): £8,095. Fees may be subject to VAT changes from 2025.
Highgate Pre-Preparatory School is situated in a light, airy and colourful building on Bishopswood Road, overlooking the open spaces of our grounds, with its own playground, separate music room and learning support room. The building has recently undergone improvements with a two-storey extension, offering three new classrooms, a covered play space, and a library with enclosed terrace and secure viewing area for children to observe the green planted roof. Pupils also benefit from their own dining hall and a secure outdoor woodland space for Forest School lessons. Our small class sizes are led by qualified early-years teachers and support staff, together with specialists in music, drama, sport and exercise. We take a creative and reflective approach to education, with a focus on how children learn, not just what they learn. Through immersion in project-based learning, the children develop resilience, creativity and a sense of responsibility not only as a learner, but also as a member of the school community and wider society.
Highgate Junior School is located on Bishopswood Road in a modern and spacious building with specialist facilities for computing, science, art, design and technology, drama and music, as well as its own library, a large hall, outdoor play area and gardens.
We pride ourselves on providing an innovative curriculum which challenges our pupils to be curious, creative and brave in their learning. Our timetable is designed to incorporate both an intellectually rigorous approach to studies alongside skills-based learning. We aim for our pupils to develop a genuine love of learning while acquiring a knowledge of how they learn, how to take responsibility for their learning and how to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of different contexts. We nurture in our pupils how to be a reflective and proactive member of the community, with a sense of social responsibility and a deep understanding and appreciation of the wide range of heritages, cultures and backgrounds in our diverse society.
Wellbeing is at the heart of our school. We understand that developing a child who feels happy, healthy and confident in themselves, with skills to manage ups and downs, is of utmost importance, not only during their time here but when they leave and move into the adult world. We nurture confidence and strength of character, supporting pupils to grow and thrive in their emotional, mental and physical health. We retain close links across the three Highgate schools to provide a continuity of education for the majority of pupils that transition from Pre-Prep to Junior School at age 7 and onto Senior School at age 11.
Sport and exercise are taught by specialist teachers to ensure a high-quality experience. Our extensive outdoor playing fields and all-weather pitches are complemented by excellent indoor facilities in the Mallinson Sports Centre, located on the same road as both schools, which includes a 25-metre swimming pool, gym and sports courts for a variety of activities.
Co-curricular activities provide countless opportunities for pupils to have fun, make new friends and learn something new. Time is set aside each week for every pupil to take part in at least one co-curricular venture; we also have early morning and after-school clubs. Our wide offering continues to evolve and develop in response to the changing needs of our pupils and the world around us.
Admission. 60 places available at Pre-Prep and 50 at Junior School. Applications for Pre-Prep open for two weeks each September and from July to November for Junior School – families should apply online via a form on the Highgate website. An application fee applies.
Invited Pre-Prep candidates are asked to attend a group assessment together with other children.
Invited Junior School candidates will sit an English and Maths test, with a further proportion invited back for a taster lesson and group interview. We aim to make these assessments as fun and stress-free as possible.
Charitable status. Highgate School is a Registered Charity, number 312765.