If you are a viewer of the Harry Potter films, then the four schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Hogwarts must have left a deep impression on you. This kind of academy system in the wizarding world is not a fiction, but a real existence at Harrow Shanghai campus.
House System for Elite Education
Harrow School, UK, founded 450 years ago, is steeped in rich history and heritage. It is renowned for its elite British education as one of the top private schools in the UK.
Harrow School, UK has been home to world leaders, poets and royalty. It has educated such inspirational characters as Sir Winston Churchill, King Hussein of Jordan, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lord Byron, and more recently actors Benedict Cumberbatch.
Harrow Shanghai is the fourth Harrow International School established overseas by the AISL Group. Upholding Harrow’s long history and heritage and four core values. Four Houses named after famous Harrow alumni were established: Churchill, Byron, Rothschild and Shaftesbury. Harrow Shanghai provides a genuine holistic British education for students aged 18 months to 18 years (covering Early Years, Primary School, and Upper School).
Belonging and Honour
From kindergarten onwards, all students are assigned to different houses when they join Harrow, each of which contains students from all grades. In this “big family”, students communicate, interact and learn with their peers and partners in different grades.
Each Harrovian feels a strong sense of belonging and loyalty to their house. They earn points for their respective houses through good performance, active participation in volunteer activities and inter-house competitions, and strive to win the House trophy at the Prize Giving ceremony at the end of the term. The competition for college points is not only a symbol of honour, but also the motivation for students to work hard.
Pastoral Care
Harrow Shanghai’s pastoral care ensures students’ happiness and personal development in campus life. The set up of tutor group enable students to meet daily with their tutor, who is the principal liaison between the pupil, teachers, school and home.
This is underpinned by a tutor led PSHE program focusing on encouraging students to integrate into the larger house community, collaborate with their peers, and collectively excel and achieve.
Happy learning, all-round development
The House System creates a happy learning and all-round development platform for students. By participating in various house activities, competitions and diversified extra-curricular activities, students not only develop their teamwork skills, but also exercise their social skills and promote personal growth and progress.
Values of House System at Harrow Shanghai
At Harrow Shanghai, houses are not only home for students, but also a platform for them to build cross-grade friendships and grow together in friendly competition. Let’s listen to the House Heads’ interpretation of House System at Harrow Shanghai.
“The Byron House is a home; it is a place for children to feel protected, loved and encouraged and as a team we do everything to provide for the well-being of our pupils so that they can excel in all aspects of school life, from academic to extra curricula. Our core values as a House are to be bold and brave, to always show courage in school life, to honour our Byron name and lead by example, to show fellowship and humility in the way we conduct ourselves as a House and in every single aspect of school life, ensuring we are kind, receptive, understanding and willing to go the extra mile. ”
——House Head of Byron House, Jessica Lancaster
“The House System ultimately reaffirms the Harrow value of Fellowship; it was such a delight to see Rothschild pupils on Friday playing and working together across year groups and better themselves by learning from those older and younger than them. Rothschild is a community where everyone feels included and like they can ask for help from others without being embarrassed.”
——House Head of Rothschild House, Jessica Henderson
“The House System allows students to become part of a smaller community within the larger school environment. This sense of belonging fosters a strong connection among house members and encourages active participation in house activities, which allows for leadership qualities to shine through, further nurture a real sense of giving back to the community within our students.”
——House Head of Shaftesbury House, Amy Huang
What children get from House System?
21st century Shanghai parents want a broad British education focusing not only on academic results but also developing each individual into a ‘citizen of the world’. Follow me to listen to the voices of the Harrow parents.
“It’s good to see cross-grade students wearing Green House t-shirts study and play together which creates strong team spirit. Eason makes a lot of Byron friends from different grade. He learns and practices his leadership skills in Houses competition.”
——Eason’s mother, Byron House
“Daniel has a strong sense of belonging to his house. The community, which has no age boundaries, is a multi-layered group that exercises his social skills and sense of honour. Harrow Shanghai has offered us a wonderful educational experience.”
——Daniel’s mother, Shaftesbury House
“The House System organizes various competitions, sports activities, and academic challenges, stimulating students’ sense of competition and encouraging them to collaborate with peers to surpass themselves. This positive competitive environment helps Ryan find his role within the team and contribute his strengths.”
——Ryan’s mother, Rothschild House
Every Harrovian will benefit from the House System at Harrow Shanghai to grow into an outstanding talent with a sense of honour, social responsibility and care.
