Highgate combines the best of both worlds: close to Central London yet with extensive playing fields and next to Hampstead Heath. Academic standards are very high and there is an unusually wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Virtually all pupils go on to degree courses, about 10% to Oxford and Cambridge. There is a team of advisers assisting pupils with careers and higher education.
Outdoor activities are encouraged. Not only are the games excellent (and so are the facilities); there is a voluntary CCF and each year large numbers complete Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The school owns a cottage in North Wales, used for expeditions, field work and holiday visits.
Music, drama and the Arts are prominent. Weekly speakers of great distinction address the sixth form. Girls from nearby Channing School join Highgate for many of these activities.
About half of the entry at age 13 comes from preparatory schools other than Highgate Junior School. Enquiries about entry to the Junior School at age 7, 10 or 11 should be addressed to the Master, Highgate Junior School, 3 Bishopswood Road, London N6 (telephone: 0181 340 9193). A co-educational pre-preparatory school has 32 vacancies each year for 3 year olds and accepts Nursery Vouchers (telephone: 0181 340 9196).
Places in the sixth form are also offered to suitably qualified candidates.
Interested parents are encouraged to telephone the Admissions Registrar with enquiries: visits can then be arranged and literature sent.
Alumni - The School has an extremely active society for former pupils, the Old Cholmeleians, named after the School's founder Sir Roger Cholmeley.
Notable Old Cholmeleians include John Tavener, Anthony Crosland, John Box, Barry Norman, John Rutter, Jan Latham-Koenig, Douglas Lowe, Sir Clive Sinclair, Sir Martin Gilbert, Geoffrey Palmer, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Sir John Betjeman.
The OC Business Section and OC Sports Club both have large memberships and an extensive list of meeting and fixtures. The sports include: basketball, canoeing, cricket, fencing, fives, football, golf, hockey, mountaineering, squash, swimming and waterpolo.
OC Society - Hon Sec - John Henderson - 01707 661525
Business Section - Hon Sec - Bob Davis - 0181 385 7103
Sports Club - Hon Sec - Guy Morgan - 0181 343 2805
