Founded in 1885, Channing is a day school for girls aged 5-18, approximately 325 in the Senior School (Sixth Form 66 girls) and 144 in Fairseat, the Junior School. It is situated in Highgate Village, in extensive and attractive grounds and offers a balanced education combining a traditional academic curriculum with modern educational developments. The complex of old and new buildings has been constantly adapted to provide up-to-date facilities, and there are strong links with the local community and with Highgate School. Recent developments include a special Sixth Form area, a large Art-Design Studio and an enlarged refurbished Library. Computers are widely used throughout the school.
Entry is by test and interview at 5, 11 and 16, and there are occasional vacancies. Fairseat girls sit the entrance examination to the Senior School to qualify for a place, and almost all transfer there. Forms and teaching groups are limited in size to allow for close working relationships between girls and staff; the Head teaches all pupils in their first year and in the Sixth Form. Every girl follows a core curriculum in line with the National Curriculum, with plenty of opportunities to develop strengths in Classics, Modern Languages, Music and Art/Design. Option blocks for GCSE and Advanced Level are designed according to the current needs of each year group. Channing has a tradition of intimate pastoral care, combined with increasingly impressive achievements.
In accordance with Channing's Unitarian foundation, the religious teaching is of a liberal Christian character. All girls attend Religious Education lessons and morning assembly. The Physical Education curriculum covers a wide variety of sports, and girls take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Young Enterprise flourishes in the Sixth Form, and members of the Senior Orchestra combine with Highgate School for two annual performances, as well as for a choral concert and dramatic productions.
