Highgate School 11+

[Bimmy76]

Can anyone advise on how hard it is to get a place at Highgate? My daughter is both academic and sporty and we’re looking for a mixed school in north or central London. Is also love to hear what you think of the school generally.

Any Highgate parents about?

Bouncing.

Have you had an Ed Psych assessment to determine where she lies on the ability/attainment scale?

What is her current school's advice for transition?

With this info you might be able to work out her chances.

Always puzzled about the Ed Psyche suggestions.
Is it a N London thing? Genuine question!
I was talking to a lady from N London who had daughter at a 'highly sought after' prep and told me that it was virtually impossible for my DD to get into a private school in London without an Ed Psyche report and all the children at her prep school had one.
She was utterly bemused when I told her that lots of children from DCs state school managed to get into top SW London schools without one and their parents managed to negotiate it all without the help of head teachers or other professionals.

I've never heard of anyone seeking Ed Pysch reports either and live in the general area!
The rule of thumb seems to be that the state selectives are the hardest to get places, followed by the very top independents (NLCS, St Paul's), followed by the top independents (Highgate, Channing, South Hampstead), and so on.
Ask a well regarded tutor to spend an hour with your child to see how she fares. They tend to be very honest about their chances, though a few have told me that no-one listens to them!

Thanks, everyone. I’d rules out North London because it’s single sex but maybe we should consider it. Hadn’t thought about an ed psych report but shall have a google.

Can anyone tell me what they think of Highgate? It looks to have great facilities.

I'm in N. London and have never heard of having an Ed Psych report other than for suspected dyslexia etc. Highgate has a good reputation and is considered in the upper tier as well as having great facilities and being co-ed (those are few and far between). Depending on your location I would not send a child as far away as NLGS when there are other good girls' schools much nearer

Highgate (secondary, at least?!) has a great reputation, is academic and really quite selective.

Another great and academic coed is Latymer Upper in Hammersmith, if that journey is doable.

No need for any ed psych test, but worth thinking about (or asking current teachers about) your child's ability level, as schools differ a lot in degree of selectivity. Look at and compare the entrance tests and exam results of the schools for a rough idea.

Roughly how long is the waiting list for Highgate? My son turns 3 at the end of this month, I was hoping for him to attend aged 5. He currently attends the forest nursery & really enjoys it. Thoughts/advice much appreciated.