Highgate School?

[windycitymom]

We are moving from Chicago to London in January 2012. What is the word on Highgate School? Do they allow admissions mid-year? How selective is the school? Any information would be wonderful.

what age? It is a very good private school
yes it is selective and competitive entry from 7+ years on. Is especially competitive from 11 years old onwards. parents and child interview's, and an assessment

i dont know if entry this year will happen ,bets call them and ask. but you need to apply sharpish for next year 2012
Key Dates for 7+ Entry for 2012
Application deadline is 30 November 2011
7+ Entrance Examination will take place on Friday 13 January 2012

if i were you i'd get a back up plan if Highgate doesnt have places

Highgate isn't as selective as other London private schools. I have a friend who works there - I can find out more for you

my N London friend loves Highgate for her dc

Very, very selective. But so-called "occasional" vacancies do come up as people relocate away from London or for other reasons.

Do you have a boy or a girl you are thinking about and how old are they?

And do you know which district you will be living in?

Sorry to ask questions, but people here (myself included) will be able to advise you better once we know some more basic facts.

I assume that you will be here for some years, otherwise you may wish to think about the American School in St. John's Wood.

Just saw that you started another thread under a different but similar topic. Might be better to stick to one thread.
However, for an 11 yr old DD you might want to try Channing (my DD goes there, very nice school) also in Highgate, both Francis Hollands (one in Clarence Gate NW1, one in Graham Terrace SW1), maybe Queens for something less academic, Latymer Upper in Hammersmith (co-ed and pretty selective), maybe City of London School for Girls (very academic, very selective, but occasional places do come up) and so on. But I assume that if you have the Good Schools Guide referred to in the other thread you know all these names.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone. It sounds like we are too late for Highgate. And, although my older daughter would do fine, I am not sure how my 8-year-old son would do on an admission test anyway -- he attends a progressive school in the US where no tests are given until 3rd grade (year 4), so he has literally never taking an exam before! We may just be at the mercy of whomever has a January opening for this school year. Does anyone have any opinions on Southbank International School? (I prefer not to go to ASL and spend my time in the UK hanging out with lots of other Americans!)

And sorry for starting the second thread. I just joined this site and did not know the proper etiquette. I am just scrambling for any information I can get at this point. :)

hope works out well,and you all enjoy uk
dont apologise about two threads,its no biggie. you just want to generate responses.

Anyone got any kids doing A Levels at Highgate - wondering what the ethos is, how pressurised etc.??

Well for your 8 year old son, why not try North Bridge House, Lyndhurst, Devonshire House and Hereward House. They all might have a chance vancancy so try! Southbank is meant to be good, but not many English families.Try your daughter for any that summersoon suggested, and if she is really academic try Habs or North London Collegiate! Good luck

Yes King Alfred is a great school, espescially for kids who might not like the structure of a 'strict, English' school so much and prefer to be more liberal. Very good though

www.kingalfred.org.uk. my friend dc go there is north london liberal and right on kinda school. lots media types and luvvies

does anyone have any experience with Southbank International School (for years 10 and above)?

Hi magdalene, I came across your message when searching info about Highgate school assessment for 3+. Under this thread, you mentioned you have a friend who works there. If possible, could you please ask your friend about what (kind of abilities) teachers may look at to select kids for 3+ entry, i.e. concentration, know numbers/shapes/animals, be sociable/would like to share with other kids, ask/answer questions from a book being read? Thank you very very much for your time and help. :-)

Hi koalagg, were you able to find some information about 3+?