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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

HIGHGATE busary and admissions advice

34 replies

saintrockz · 13/05/2021 11:16

i am finding it difficult to find information on the 11+ admissions process on Highate. I have contacted the school but they keep pointing me towards the website, there are no videos on the bursary process, the 11+ admissions process. I wanted to get a prospectus or a video showing the facilitates but i cant locate any links. I am a single parent living with parents and wanted some advice on the bursary process, is it a company is it an interview? would anyone mind PM their experience of the process and how they found it?
I am also wanting to find out why have the number of applicants increased so much. I thought that it was UCS and the single sex St Pauls, City(boys/girls) westminster that were the most applied to. am i right that 900 applied last year?
What is the ethnic mix like, being of ethnic background I would hope that the school would be mixed like london is but as i do not live in hamstead I am unsure.
If there any other information hidden on the web please let me know i just dont have the patience to wait till sep tember for the open morning.

thank you all you kind hearted people.

im sure you are asking why highgate, well my DC is smart but not an acadmic high flyer, loves sport and music i was told that highgate offer wonderful bursaries so thought I would try whats the worse that could happen!

OP posts:

MayIDestroyYou · 13/05/2021 11:59

Have you registered for any of the upcoming Virtual Open Days? The first is on May 18th - see photo. That is when more info on bursary application will be made available.

You need to take a breath. You are not the only single parent thinking of applying for a bursary to an independent school. You're not a special case - you need to read the information provided calmly, note down the deadlines and make sure you are on top of all the different stages.

Your other queries ... Why not just get to know the school? And any others you're interested in. Either they're schools you think will suit your child, or not - and that will be about the whole ethos, surely, not about a headcount of different ethnicities in the pupil body.

PatriciaHolm · 13/05/2021 12:24

There is lots of information on the site, both on admissions and bursaries, including that you need to fill out an assessment form and have an interview with the admissions team, as well as guideline award values.

www.highgateschool.org.uk/bursaries/11-plus-bursaries/#page-tabbed-content

Is there any specific reason you wanted a video?

As PP said, register for a virtual open day too.

Original poster

saintrockz · 13/05/2021 12:27

i am not sure of my tone in my post, but if in any way i sound like i am the only single parent applying for a bursary then that is certainly not what i meant.

I think on the other hand your tone is a little harsh. as a person of colour it is important to me that my child fit in, as my educational experience was not very inclusive ad i do not wish that for my child. How can i get to know the school? i assume that is by asking other parents who can share their real experience rather than a gut feel from a glossy website.
The events are all full and the school simply gave the website as a place to get information from and for me there isn't any great depth of it.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and insightful response

OP posts:

Original poster

saintrockz · 13/05/2021 12:31

i did read the information and contact the bursary department and wanted to see if anyone had gone through the process .

I wanted to get a feel for the grounds/facilities the website has wonderful mentions of the facilities but i wanted to see them, childish i guess but i am more than happy to wait till the open event happens and see the school.

OP posts:

Fartypants1 · 13/05/2021 12:41

Hi @saintrockz - 11+ is a bewildering minefield isn’t it? My child recently went through it including an application to Highgate though not going there. I think you will find that applications go in November-time and that you apply for a bursary on that application form www.highgateschool.org.uk/bursaries/11-plus-bursaries/

We didn’t apply for bursaries but my understanding is that the application follows the usual process (exam then interview) as the bursary application is really based on means. The Highgate exam is pretty tough.

As for the school itself, I think the increase in numbers is down to the fact that there are very few mixed private schools in North London, and the school itself has improved performance-wise. My impression is that it is not particularly diverse, but no doubt that is true of many schools.

The headmaster is apparently very approachable and on the open day we found the staff very helpful, so when you go to the virtual open day you can hopefully ask questions.

Best of luck to your child (and you)

itsallgooditsallgood · 13/05/2021 12:43

Hi Saint, I dont know much about this school specifically however I might be able to help answer some bursary questions. FYI it does differ by school or even by application so bear that in mind and you compare experiences.

And also just to say you have every right to have questions able the ethnic mix of any school. I am a parent of colour and this has always been on my list. Everyone will tell you to make sure the school will suit your child, well this is part of that consideration feel free to PM me

Fartypants1 · 13/05/2021 12:44

And on your question about the grounds and facilities - magnificent. Lots of sport areas, a great design and technology and art space, big music school, fantastic clubs.

MayIDestroyYou · 13/05/2021 12:47

If the two later dates for Virtual Open days are already full it's unfortunate that they don't make that clear on the website.

You're right, OP - tone doesn't always translate in a post. Of course it's sensible to seek out the opinions of people who know a school - it's just the rest of your post sounded just a little panicked and slightly demanding, as if you felt the school was specifically withholding information from you. But if that's not what you wanted to convey I apologise for misapprehending you!

Nevertheless, it's a long road - one for which optimism, determination and good organisational skills are required by the bucketload. (And if I were not in a position to completely empathise with your concerns I wouldn't have responded ...)

JBX2013 · 13/05/2021 12:53

Hi @saintrockz !

We applied to Channing next door just before Highgate opened up to girls from Year 7. I can only echo earlier comments and Highgate families we know corroborate my understanding: it is now a fine school, transformed by the Head and the admission of girls fully. And yes, it's very popular, especially as it means the schlep out to Habs can now be avoided and, of course, a lot of European families naturally prefer co-educational schools.

Good luck with it all!

Original poster

saintrockz · 13/05/2021 13:01

thank you so much to everyone who has responded:) all advice is welcomed.
May i detroy you .... you summed me up totally
a little panicked and slightly demanding,...............thats me on a good day! ;)
i was under the impression that a specialist company does the assesment and then it is shared with schools, but highgate process is unique and so wanted to see if anyone would share their journey with me.
it sounds and looks lovley from what I can see on the website. I was thinking with a head of diversity they were actively looking to increase the children from ethnic backgrounds.
if any current parents would like to share about the inclusiveness and mix of children i would be grateful. I do not want my child to be left out or not fit in and i understand this is always going to be something that changes all the time but just a broad flavour.
previous posts imply highgate is a local school so by default those who can afford to live in the surrounding areas attend and that means they have a certain income.

OP posts:

Fartypants1 · 13/05/2021 13:12

As far as I understand it, bursaries are part of the general application process, ie they don’t need a separate exam etc. Some North London schools have banded together to run a single entrance exam, but Highgate is not part of this and sets its own papers. These are written (rather than computer) tests in English and maths. My child applied for a gazillion schools this last year (for which I will never be forgiven) and found the Highgate exam tough, but not the toughest. One thing to bear in mind is that many applicants will have had quite a bit of tuition outside school.

LarkDescending · 13/05/2021 13:59

We are already booked for one of the virtual open events, but the 25 May and 7 June ones are still showing as bookable - perhaps try again, unless the school has told you they are all full?

Original poster

saintrockz · 13/05/2021 14:26

the 25th I can not make as I am working. I have booked for June :)

OP posts:

LondonMummer · 13/05/2021 15:43

Hi OP. This part of your post made me think that Highgate may not be the right choice for your DC. It's a very competitive school and due to the co-ed element half the places available will be going to children of the other sex. It's extremely hard to secure a place and very academically rigorous. By all means give it a shot but if you child isn't an academic high flyer you may be better off exploring schools like Mill Hill

LondonMummer · 13/05/2021 15:48

If you think your child IS academically rigorous (and male) I think City of London presents as the most truly diverse private environment. Many other schools talk diversity but are quite mono ethnic even if not primarily white British

LondonMummer · 13/05/2021 16:09

I know a boy who was offered St Paul's, City and MTS. Indeed all the schools they applied to but not Highgate. And a girl who was offered Habs, South Hampstead and Francis Holland as well as a scholarship at Belmont but didn't even get to interview stage at Highgate. It's definitely not an easier choice.

MayIDestroyYou · 13/05/2021 16:12

And, if you want to increase your chances of a substantial bursary, you might be wise to consider boarding - at both prep and senior level. The best established boarding schools have quite surprising amounts of money available for bursaries.

Obviously it would have to be something you and your child are both enthusiastic about. And the application processes can be relatively involved and long drawn out. On the other hand, major public schools in particular (the ones everyone has heard of) do attract an international student body - so they're naturally ethnically diverse ...

Original poster

saintrockz · 14/05/2021 11:36

thank you all so much for your inputs. i am hoping a current highgate parent may wish to share their views on the school in terms of how academic it is in reality and also the mix of children.

OP posts:

LarkDescending · 14/05/2021 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Brian9600 · 24/05/2021 14:39

I'm a current Highgate parent. I don't know anything about the bursary application process, I'm afraid.

In terms of facilities, sport, music, it's absolutely superb. Sporting facilities in particular are outstanding for a London school.

There are lots of children of different ethnicities (and nationalities) at the school, although it's not as diverse as a typical London state school would be.

The one thing that makes me think it maybe not be the perfect school for you is that you describe your child as "not a high flyer". 20 years ago Highgate wasn't an especially academic school and you may get the wrong impression if you talk to people who don't have more recent knowledge. The school is now much more academically-focused and pressured and entry is extremely competitive- it's a great school but not for everyone.

Another idea- what about Mill Hill? They have wonderful facilities and a good bursary scheme and might be a better fit academically. (Obviously I don't know how academic your child is- I'm just going on your posts here.)

AnotherNewt · 24/05/2021 14:48

I was just wondering where in London you are, because there are other schools which offer large bursaries.

Original poster

saintrockz · 25/05/2021 12:22

thank you so much for the insight. i have trying to gauge the school from mumsnet and the 11plus forum which has implied that highgate is not such a competitive/academically selective as others within London. I am drawn to it because of the facilities and also the values of more well rounded child who has insights into practical charity.
I understand the recent revelations have cast highgate into a negative light but i am very excited about co-education.

my son is top set maths and is not so strong with english, he is smart but we are ata a state school and i know top set doesn't always mean that you are capable of passing the entrance exams. We only started tutoring this term when a parent mentioned the bursary option. I know i may have left it too late but i want to give it a go, but also find a school where my son would flourish and fit in.
As highgate is very pro bursary applications as is latymer i thought that he would have a better chance at highgate as compared to laytmer as that is hugely competitive.

OP posts:

LarkDescending · 25/05/2021 12:57

Anyone telling you that Highgate is other than highly selective is very out of date. It’s completed a wholesale transformation from the unfancied all-boys’ boarding school of my youth to a highly-desired co-ed day school. None of which is a reason not to apply for a place and a bursary, but it’s important to have eyes wide open about just how tough the competition is for this and similar schools.

Has your tutor been able to advise as to a suitable shortlist of schools for your son to sit for? Is DS currently in Y5?

Original poster

saintrockz · 25/05/2021 13:09

unfortunately the tuition is a group which does grammars and then in sep changes to independent prep. i am a deer in head lights most of the mums are not tutoring for independents. if any one has any recommendations please could they PM ?

OP posts:

LondonMummer · 25/05/2021 14:57

@LarkDescending

Has your tutor been able to advise as to a suitable shortlist of schools for your son to sit for? Is DS currently in Y5?

Spot on. As per many of the comments on this thread, Highgate is insanely competitive these days. Honestly one of the toughest schools to get into. Maybe get an assessment from a North London tutor group like Griffin and Bell (not cheap!) who will give you a sense of whether it's a realistic prospect. As I and someone else have said previously, do look at Mill Hill which may prove to be a better fit.

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