Channing
Channing
Channing
Channing
Channing Highgate, London Visit
school
Channing
Highgate
611 pupils, ages 11-18
Girls only
Day

Channing

Open all

Our View

A visionary all-girls school full of extremely confident, capable and engaging young women, this north London gem knows just how to create a vibrant learning environment where no one gets left behind and everyone is inspired to embrace the school’s ‘10 per cent braver’ approach to life. Channing is big in size and heart with stellar facilities – there’s a lot to love here.

Where?

The school’s prime position at the top of a hill in Highgate means it has spectacular views of London while being set apart in its own lovely bubble. Walking through the front entrance, you feel like you’re going into a standard London house – but no, like Narnia, there’s a whole world behind that door, with building after building, including a sixth-form centre, sports hall and theatre, plus lots of outdoor areas and an impressive multi-use games area. A large new science and maths building is being built that will see the outside space remodelled to create more seating and green space. 

Most pupils live within a four-mile radius and travel to and from school on public transport (which the school encourages). It’s generally a straightforward commute, with Highgate underground just 10 minutes by foot in one direction and Archway the same distance in the other.

Head

Lindsey Hughes took up the headship in 2020 with experience of both all-girls and all-boys schools under her belt. She tells us, ‘This is by far and away the best job in the world.’ During her predecessor's tenure, pupil numbers have grown by 350, and her ‘10 per cent braver’ ethos has seen positive outcomes both at school and at home. ‘It’s the perfect nudge for high-performing, risk-averse girls to go to the audition or ask the question in class,' she says. ‘Teenagers don’t want to stand out but want to be different. We give them the confidence to forge their own path.’ The school’s Unitarian values of free thinking, acceptance and inclusivity are foundational, and Mrs Hughes is passionate about pupils having a voice that is heard: ‘We are educating girls to take a place in the world; school is the place for first opinions and crucial social skills.’ 

Admissions

The school is selective and oversubscribed, and that’s for 100 places in each year, 70 in the sixth form. The main entry point is 11+, with prospective pupils sitting the London 11+ Consortium Assessment in December, followed by an interview in January.

Academics and destinations

There is a maximum of 25 pupils per class in Years 7 to 9, fewer at GCSE, and at A-level class sizes are even smaller – our sixth-form guide's largest class was nine pupils for English. Academics are strong across the board: economics is currently the most popular A-level, the science department is huge and languages are equally impressive, with Years 7 to 9 learning French, Spanish, German and Latin. Latin and classical civilisation are offered at GCSE and A-level. There’s also a twilight classical Greek course after school in Year 10 and ancient Greek A-level on the timetable when there is demand for it. 

All Year 12s start an EPQ and do at least one term – it’s timetabled as part of weekly enrichment lessons (which include salsa, embroidery and yoga). Pupils work with a supervisor, writing a proposal and presenting it in the summer term, and for those who decide not to complete one, there’s a shorter Channing Project to give them a similar experience. Sixth-formers also have the option of taking four A-levels – those gunning for Oxbridge and medicine often do, and the success rate of getting places on competitive courses in top universities is high. 

‘All of them go to the place they want to go, to do things they want to do,’ says Mrs Hughes, who tells us pupils go for ‘the whole gamut’ of options: art foundation courses, robotics, marine biology, theatre design, criminology… the list goes on. Some choose to head abroad too; in the past four years, international further-education destinations have included the US, Canada, Australia, Germany and Israel.

Co-curricular

Channing is an arty school, and the art department sits in a labyrinth of rooms on the top floor, all with incredible views over the City of London and Emirates Stadium. It’s inspiring, to say the least. And with a darkroom, textiles studio, ceramics room and kiln, it’s not surprising that many choose art at GCSE. In 2023 all of the pupils who took art for GCSE received a grade 9.

Music is also busy and just as inspiring, with a dedicated team of teachers and visiting music staff who pour themselves into organising choirs, ensembles, orchestras, singing lessons, instrumental lessons and even musical-theatre lessons. Every Friday there’s a Music at Lunchtime concert, and at Christmas pupils perform in a local church. This year, a Royal Academy harpist is joining the orchestra. They also hold jazz evenings, creating a jazz-club vibe in the theatre with the audience sitting at tables to listen to the band. 

Every year there are two school plays or musicals, one for Years 7-9 and the other for Years 9-13. There’s a proper theatre with an upstairs space for the orchestra to play, and a lighting rig complete with a booth. Pupils get involved in every aspect of a production, from set and costume design to lighting, make-up and, of course, acting. 

The sports hall is big enough to be divided into two, so two lessons can be held simultaneously. They do everything from trampolining and dance to volleyball. There is also a fitness suite, which sixth-formers can use outside lesson time. The multi-use games area outside is used for football, netball and rounders, and pupils walk to nearby Stanhope Road for PE lessons. Sports day is held at Parliament Hill, where the school rents a track. 

Staff run clubs, while sixth-formers take charge of societies. There are lots of trips: school musicians recently went to Vienna and Seville, there was a Spanish and history visit to Cuba, and every year there’s a skiing trip.

School community

There’s a real understanding of girls’ wellbeing here. Mrs Hughes encourages pupils to practise self-compassion: ‘Girls are brilliant friends to each other, but they don’t always turn it to themselves. The hope is that they understand they are brilliant and the strengths they have are marvellous.’ A big-siblings programme sees Year 7s paired with a Year 8 buddy, and wellbeing one-to-ones are delivered by sixth-formers. 

There’s a lot of fun and energy in the inter-house competitions, with Christmas a particular highlight of the year: classrooms are decorated and judged and pupils take part in a Christmas debate. 

Outreach activities are coordinated by a dedicated Director of Social Impact who organises partnerships with local state schools. Sixth-formers run breakfast clubs in some, while Year 9s read in the mornings with partnership schools. Year 10s also give digital support to the local community, fixing their devices over tea and sandwiches. 

And finally....

Excellent academics, fantastic pastoral care and a wonderful way of imbuing girls with self-confidence, Channing makes a strong argument for single-sex education. If you’re a north London family with daughters, it’s definitely one to put on your shortlist.

Gallery See All

Channing pupil holding a lego tecnik truck
Channing pupil playing the flute
Channing girls painting in art class
Channing girls
Channing girl with red hair
Channing pupils
Channing pupils sitting in class
Channing pupil doing pottery
Channing pupil throwing a netball
  • Academic results

    GCSE results
    A level results
    Download results as PDF
  • Fees and bursaries

    Day fees per term

    Year 7£10,158
    Year 8 £10,158
    Year 9 £10,158
    Year 10£10,158
    Year 11£10,158
    Year 12£10,158
    Year 13£10,158




    Bursaries

    The school has always done their best to ensure that children who would benefit from a Channing education are not excluded for financial reasons. They offer means-tested financial support with the payment of school fees to parents/guardians who would otherwise be unable to afford them. This support is known as a bursary and these may be awarded in the form of a discount of up to 100% on tuition fees, depending on the financial circumstances of applicants. They do not offer bursaries or scholarships for Channing Junior. 

    Candidates do not need to win a scholarship to be considered for a bursary. They could be offered both a scholarship and a bursary but the offer of one is not dependent on the other. It is possible, and indeed not unusual, for a bursary holder to also have a scholarship.

    As a very general rule, it is unlikely that a bursary will be awarded when the family gross income (with one school aged child) is significantly greater than four times the school fees.

    Bursary contact:

    bursar@channing.co.uk
  • Transport links


    Public Transport
    Nearest London tube station: Archway
    Nearest mainline train station: Euston
    Nearest London Overground station: Highbury and Islington


School Updates

  • WATCH: 10 Questions with Lindsey Hughes, head of Channing

    As well as delivering a vibrant learning environment, Channing ensures every pupil feels empowered, valued and supported with its ‘ten per cent braver’ approach to life. Visionary, yes, and with its Unitarian values of free thinking, acceptance and inclusivity underpinning everything it does, girls receive a truly holistic education. Get to know inspiring head Lindsey Hughes by watching the video here.
    WATCH: 10 Questions with Lindsey Hughes, head of Channing
  • Leading North London Girls’ School Unveils Ambitious 10-year Strategy

    Channing School in North London has published its ambitious 10-year strategy designed to ensure Channing students are well-prepared to navigate and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world.
    Leading North London Girls’ School Unveils Ambitious 10-year Strategy
  • View from the Top: Lindsey Hughes on why there's always a need for girl power

    View from the Top: Lindsey Hughes on why there's always a need for girl power
  • Year 10 Student Earns Recognition in Prestigious Essay Prize

    Congratulations to Regina G (Year 10) for being shortlisted in the John Locke Institute 2024 Global Essay Prize competition last term!
    Year 10 Student Earns Recognition in Prestigious Essay Prize
  • Channing Awarded Green Flag Award with Distinction for Second Year Running

    Channing has been awarded the Eco -Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction for the second year in a row! A big well done to all the Eco Reps, staff members, and our Sustainability Officers, Bella and Olivia.
    Channing Awarded Green Flag Award with Distinction for Second Year Running
  • WATCH: Channing - Welcome to the Senior School

    WATCH: Channing - Welcome to the Senior School
  • WATCH: A Day in the Life of Channing Senior School

    WATCH: A Day in the Life of Channing Senior School
  • See Channing in our London Senior Schools Guide

    See Channing in our London Senior Schools Guide
  • See Channing in our All-through Schools Guide

    See Channing in our All-through Schools Guide

Channing is
linked with:

Essentials

Address
The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF

Contact
info@channing.co.uk
020 8340 2328

Website
channing.co.uk/

ISI Report

Fees

Term Dates

Bursaries


Open Days

Open days and how to visit View Open Days Register for open Day



Click for a larger version of map

Need help?

Don’t panic! We have more than ten years’ experience of visiting schools and advising parents, and we are all parents ourselves – we can make this easier for you.

Talk to our team
TE Logo

TE Schools Advice

Choosing your child’s school is one of the most important decisions you will ever make – let our experienced team help you. We will guide you through the decision-making process and give you the confidence to make the right choice, armed with the most up-to-date insider knowledge. We are all parents ourselves – we know how hard this is, and we can make it easier for you.
read more