Highgate 11+

[mbell]

Does anyone have insight into the process this year? I am asking out of interest more than anything as it was not our top choice school.

DS is at a prep school and going through a combination of 11+ and Pretest for Common Entrance.

Of his class, 12 boys sat the Highgate 11+ papers and not one has been called back for the 2nd round.

This is in contrast to to being invited back to Westminster (10 boys), City (12 boys), St Paul’s (10 boys), UCS (12 boys).

Could this be the impact of mixed-sex admissions, relationships between head teachers, siblings?

I know the boys were asked on the day what other schools they were sitting and if they were also sitting Common Entrance. Would this have been a factor?

Just interested to hear the thoughts and experiences of others.

These boys are applying for five schools?

Yes but three of the schools use the same Pretest so go through to the next round based on how they scored.

We have a busy 2 weeks ahead with 2nd rounds and then it’s over.

I’m just interested in any insights into the Highgate process. It seems different to the other schools.

Highgate has a mixed-sex admissions profile, they are Co-Ed and have many, many more applicants for places than other schools. The school has excellent transport links (and is easily drivable for North, North West and North East London).

They don't have a siblings policy - places are awarded on merit of the individual pupil and siblings are only considered if there is an exceptional skill and a tie between their results and another pupil.

It's also recently won independent school of the year which has probably increased applications, particularly with many people returning from abroad.

It sounds very strange. In our class the boys who were Invited back by City and Westminster all passed Highgate.

Can you tell us where your prep is located. eg. north London, SW London, etc? I'm guessing NW London.

Could it be that, historically, no boys from your prep ever accept their offers so they know it'd be a waste of their time?

Prep is in NW London. It barely sends any boys to Highgate as focus is Common Entrance. Top destinations for our Prep School are Westminster, City, St Paul’s, UCS and various boarding schools.

I just found it strange that not one of the boys were invited back to Highgate but got call backs from all the others.

@mbell , it could be that as the other poster says Highgate got fed up with offers never been accepted.

In esher a school that was ranked as a back up told a prep to stop sending the whole year to sit the exam to boost the prep school number of offers & scholarships as the places were never accepted.

@sunshineclouds24 @njshore

Thank you for your replies. I guess this scenario makes more sense. Interestingly all the schools have asked about the others and if theirs is 1st choice.

It’s all very strange to me. DD sat 11+ a couple of years back and the process could not have been more different.

She sat the paper, got called for an interview and got an offer. No surprises from any of the schools. She either met the expected requirements or she didn’t.

Not sure I fully understand this situation but at least at this stage DS seems to have several options that don’t include Highgate

So results are in for us and DS has a choice of offers and is super happy

Westminster
City
UCS scholarship
MTS
St Paul’s (2nd round but we’re withdrawing due to other offers)

The story is the same for several of the boys in his class.

I have come to the conclusion that Highgate probably looks closely at the prep school entries and rejects children early on unlikely to accept an offer.

It would make sense now but tough for a 10 year old to understand.

Well done to your ds and no doubt the prep will advise it's own parents against registering with Highgate unless it's a serious first choice.

@hockeygrass thank you

It’s been an interesting experience with Highgate! Yes think our Headteacher will likely be advising parents not to waste money and time on the application fee.

Hello. My son is 7 years old and we would like him to attend Highgate School when he is 11+.. We live in NW8. Maybe you can recommend a private school that could increase his chances of getting into a good senior school? Currently, he is attending a state school and we are also doing home-based studying.--

Hi best you start a new thread as our son did not get through the 1st round at Highgate!

He had numerous other offers and hence why I was confused about the process at Highgate