Focus 

Courage, honour, humility, fellowship

Boarding fees 2024/25  

$76,400 (incl. VAT)

Pupils 

830 

Ages

13–18

Spear’s Review

Educating the sons of prominent families since 1572 when it received its charter from Elizabeth I, Harrow is a school full of idiosyncratic slang, games and customs. The fellow-feeling growing up on its campus continues into adult life, with Old Harrovians using the Harrow Connect platform to find each other, arrange dinners and sing the Harrow songs.

Academic results are as strong as the camaraderie – a balanced curriculum is supplemented by a challenging and inspiring ‘super-curriculum’ that ‘widens and enriches boys’ knowledge and understanding’. Here boys engage in reading, debate, public speaking, research, competitions, lectures, study trips and a programme of unexamined elective courses that allow students to follow their academic passions.

Sport, arts and culture also have an important role at the school: there are nearly 30 different sports and a number of clubs and societies to choose from.

Academics

In 2024, almost a third of all A-Level grades were A*, with more than two-thirds either A* or A. 

More than 40 per cent of GCSE results were grade 9, with two-thirds grade 9 or 8. 

University and college destinations

Eleven students from the class of 2024 have taken up places at Oxbridge or Cambridge; a further 11 secured places at Ivy League schools.  

Head teacher

Alastair Land attended Manchester Grammar School. He took a first in natural sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. After completing his PGCE at Cambridge, he began his career at Eton as a teacher of biology. Land then spent nine years at Winchester and was deputy head master at Harrow for nearly four years, from 2012, before he moved to Repton as headmaster. He returned to Harrow as head master in 2019.

Admissions

Year 9 and Year 12 are the main entry points at Harrow, with places occasionally available at the beginning of Year 10. According to the school, applications are welcomed from boys who will thrive in a full-boarding environment; will make a positive contribution the school; are talented in their academic studies, or in sport, the arts or in other areas; and have a good behavioural record and the potential to show leadership. Applicants will sit a variety of exams, assessments and interviews before being offered a place.

Accessibility 

Heathrow Airport: 30 minutes

Location

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