Harrow School Overview
Harrow School is one of the oldest and most respected boys’ boarding schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, it is located in Harrow-on-the-Hill, just a short distance from central London.
The school is known for its academic strength, strong traditions, and distinctive student culture. For example, boys at Harrow wear formal uniforms that include tailcoats and straw hats. While this may seem unusual to outsiders, it reflects the school’s deep-rooted identity and pride in its heritage.
At Harrow, boys aged 13 to 18 live and study in a full-boarding environment. This means they stay on campus throughout the week and weekend. As a result, there is a strong focus on building independence, leadership, and responsibility.
Of course, academics remain a key priority. Harrow regularly sends students to top universities in the UK and abroad, including Oxford, Cambridge, and leading universities in the US. However, what sets the school apart is its commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. Music, sport, drama, and outdoor activities are built into daily life.
Over the centuries, Harrow has educated many influential figures, including several British prime ministers such as Winston Churchill. Today, the school continues to invest in modern facilities and teaching methods, while staying true to its core values.
Table of Contents
Harrow School Courses And Programmes
Years 9 to 11 – GCSE Programme
Boys enter Harrow in Year 9. The first year is focused on building strong foundations across a wide range of subjects. This helps boys discover their interests and strengths before choosing their GCSE subjects.
In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. Core subjects include:
- English Language and Literature
- Mathematics
- Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (either combined or as separate sciences)
In addition, boys choose several optional subjects such as:
- History or Geography
- Latin or Classical Greek
- French, Spanish, German, or Mandarin
- Art, Music, Design Technology, or Computer Science
Years 12 and 13 – A-level Programme
After GCSEs, boys enter the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13), where they specialise in four A-level subjects. Choices include:
- Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Economics, Politics, History, Geography
- English Literature, Philosophy, Theology
- Modern and Classical Languages
- Art, Music, or Design
Harrow School Fees
Harrow is a full-boarding school, and fees reflect the all-inclusive nature of the education and care provided. From 1 January 2025, VAT is included in all school fees, following changes in UK government policy.
Tuition and Boarding Fees
For the 2024/25 academic year, termly fees are £20,528 (inclusive of VAT). These cover:
- Full boarding accommodation
- Tuition
- Textbooks and a stationery allowance
- Laundry services
Registration Fee
A non-refundable £450 registration fee is required when applying.
Deposits
To secure a Year 9 place at Harrow, the following deposits apply:
- Entry Deposit: £2,400 (inclusive of VAT). £1,200 is refunded at the end of the first term, and the remaining £1,200 is deducted from the final bill.
- Final Confirmation Deposit: £2,400 (inclusive of VAT), payable by 31 January in the year of entry. This is also split: £1,200 returned at the end of the first term, £1,200 deducted from the final bill.
- Additional Deposit (for overseas families): One full term’s fees (£20,528), payable in advance. This is credited against the final fee bill. If you withdraw before the year of entry and give a full term’s notice, this amount will be refunded in full.
Acceptance Fee
- For Year 9 applicants: £1,200 (non-refundable, inclusive of VAT)
- For Year 12 applicants: £600 (non-refundable, inclusive of VAT)
Harrow School Application Deadline
Entry to Harrow is highly competitive and follows a long lead time. Applications for Year 9 entry in 2026 and 2027 have already closed.
Year 9 Entry (2028): Key Deadlines
For families considering Year 9 entry in 2028, here are the important dates to note:
Registration Deadlines
- Standard applicants: 1 July 2025
- Late applicants: 1 January 2027
Scholarship Deadlines
- Sport: 30 September 2027
- Music, Art, Drama, Academic: 22 November 2027
Due to strong demand, early registration is strongly recommended.
Year 12 Entry (2026): Key Dates and Deadlines
For students applying to join Harrow in Year 12 (Sixth Form) in 2026, here is the timeline to follow:
Standard Applicants
Application Deadline:
All applications must be submitted by 1 September 2025.
Subject Tests:
Applicants are required to sit two subject-specific tests. These are usually taken at the student’s current school and must be returned to Harrow by 22 September 2025.
Interviews and Assessments:
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to Harrow for assessments and interviews. These will take place on 1 or 8 November 2025.Decision Notification:
Applicants will be informed of the outcome by mid-December 2025.
Harrow School Boarding And Pastoral Care
Harrow is a full-boarding school. All 830 boys live on campus in one of 12 Houses: Bradbys, Druries, Elmfield, The Grove, The Head Master’s, The Knoll, Lyon’s, Moretons, Newlands, The Park, Rendalls and West Acre.
Each House has its own personality, with unique gardens and facilities. Boys form strong bonds within their Houses, which often last long after they leave. At the same time, Harrow ensures each House has a healthy mix of talents, interests and backgrounds.
The core of boarding life is its pastoral care, which the school takes seriously. Each House is managed by a resident team: a House Master, Assistant House Master, Matron and Tutors. Boys also have access to a House Visitor, someone they can speak to casually and confidentially.
Beyond the House team, Harrow offers a broad support network. This includes a 24/7 Medical Centre, a full-time Clinical Psychologist, two full-time counsellors and a proactive Pastoral Support Committee. The Chaplaincy, which includes Anglican and Roman Catholic chaplains, also plays an active role.
Support at Harrow is not just about reacting to problems—it’s proactive. Boys are encouraged to become resilient, thoughtful and socially aware. The PSHE programme, peer mentoring, ‘Flock’ groups (with students from each year), and various student-led committees all contribute to this.
Harrow School Extracurricular Activities
Harrow takes extracurricular life seriously.
Every boy has afternoon games five days a week. With nearly 30 sports to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Sport builds teamwork, discipline and resilience. Whether it’s rugby, cricket, judo or fives, boys stay active and gain lasting habits for life.
The School’s facilities are extensive: sports fields, astroturf, tennis and fives courts, a golf course, swimming pool, and a full sports centre. Each of the 12 Houses competes in regular inter-House matches. Many boys also represent Harrow in inter-school fixtures. Elite athletes often compete nationally and internationally, and some progress to professional sport.
Coaches include top-level professionals and Harrow beaks. Partnerships with Saracens and QPR enhance the School’s elite training pathways. International sports tours to places like Malaysia, the USA and South Africa are regular highlights.
But sport is just one part of a broad extracurricular life.
The arts are just as central. All first-year boys take part in House drama, art and music. Drama, ceramics, music ensembles, choirs and exhibitions offer varied routes for creative expression.
Boys direct plays, curate gallery exhibitions, and perform music of all styles. Some even play with the National Youth Orchestra or Theatre. The Old Speech Room Gallery, with its rare artefacts and museum-quality displays, gives boys hands-on experience with real collections.
Harrow’s philosophy is simple: everyone should appreciate the arts, most should take part, and the best should be stretched to excel.
