Highgate School, formally Sir Roger Cholmeley’s School at Highgate, is one of London’s most prestigious independent day schools. Founded in 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley, the school has a long history of academic excellence, strong traditions, broad co-curricular offerings, and a commitment to developing well-rounded young people.
The school has three main parts:
- Pre-Preparatory School (sometimes called pre-prep), for ages 4+,
- Junior School for Years 3-6 (ages 7-11), and
- Senior School, for Years 7-13 (including Sixth Form).
Highgate Junior School has about 450 pupils across Years 3-6. It prides itself on a curriculum that is intellectually ambitious yet nurturing, co-curricular activities, pastoral care, and preparing students well for transition to the Senior School.
Entrance Points
Highgate has four main entry points: 4+ (Reception / Pre-Prep), 7+ (into Junior School Year 3), 11+ (into Senior School Year 7), and 16+ (into Sixth Form Year 12). Occasionally, ‘occasional places’ are offered in other year groups depending on capacity.
- 7+: Recruitment into Year 3 of the Junior School. Generally in autumn of Year 2/Year 3 admission cycle (for example, registration opens in autumn, assessment in early December, then interviews / activity days early in the new year). If successful, the child starts in Year 3 that coming September. At 7+ approximately 50 new external places are offered to join the Junior School, in addition to pupils moving up from the Pre-Prep.
- 11+: Exams are taken in the autumn of Year 6, typically early December. If successful, the child gains entry into Year 7 at Highgate’s Senior School in the September following. Approximately 80+ external places are available at 11+, with over 100 of the total Year 7 cohort coming from Highgate Junior School.
With respect to Junior → Senior progression: entry into the Junior School (if your child is doing well) all but guarantees the opportunity to move into the Senior School at 11+, subject to meeting the school’s internal expectations. The overwhelming majority of Junior School leavers do continue into the Senior School.
In terms of numbers: Junior School has about 50 external admissions at 7+ each year; at 11+ some 80+ external candidates gain offers, with more places filled by internal (from Junior School) students.
Entrance Exams
Here’s what the Entrance Exams look like:
7+ Exams (Junior School, Year 3 entry)
- After registering (usually in autumn), children sit assessments in English and Mathematics, around early December.
- Those who do well are then invited back for an activity or interview day in early January, which includes a taster lesson and/or group interview.
- Offers follow late January; induction events in summer term.
- The school publishes sample/specimen papers for 7+:
11+ Exams (Senior School, Year 7 entry)
- Registration in autumn of Year 6; exam day generally early December.
- First stage: three written tests—English, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- English: based on Key Stage 2 curriculum, including comprehension & analysis plus creative writing.
- Maths: covering KS2 topics; problem solving, number, measurements, etc.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: to test spatial, pattern, and visual reasoning.
- After the written part, many successful candidates are invited back in January for interviews / group activities / taster lessons.
- Offers are issued early February; there is a deposit and acceptance deadline in early March.
- Specimen / sample papers Highgate publishes for 11+:
How Best to Prepare Your Child for Highgate
Getting into Highgate is competitive, but with the right preparation your child can maximise their chances. Based on what works best, here are Clarendon’s recommendations:
- Start early, especially for 7+, but also for 11+. Familiarity with basic skills in English (reading comprehension, creative writing) and Maths (all the KS2 fundamentals) is essential. Begin practising sample papers so that your child understands the format and time constraints.
- Use specimen papers published by Highgate so your child becomes comfortable with what the school actually expects (both in style and level). This helps reduce surprises.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning often trips up children who haven’t seen that kind of test before. Practice regularly with pattern puzzles, shape matrices, spatial reasoning, etc.
- Interview / group activity preparation: for both 7+ and 11+, there will be elements beyond the written exams (taster, interviews / group tasks). Work on confidence, clear speaking, listening, collaboration and also being able to reflect, ask questions, show curiosity.
- Time management under exam conditions: practising past papers under timed conditions is critical so your child learns how to pace themselves, avoid getting stuck, and finish.
- Depth of reading and vocabulary: wide reading helps, across fiction, non-fiction; children should be encouraged to discuss what they’ve read, infer, analyse language, not just comprehension.
- Mock exams and tutoring: targeted help in weak areas can be a big boost. Mock exams help identify gaps. At Clarendon Tutors, we have a strong track record of helping children gain entry to Highgate via tailored preparation and expert tutors who know the school’s exam style intimately. We provide specialist tuition in English, Maths, Non-Verbal Reasoning, interview coaching, all aligned with Highgate’s sample papers and entry points.
Photograph by Jim Osley (CC BY-SA)
