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Rooted in a tradition of close, personalised care, Harrow School upholds the highest standards of academic and pastoral excellence, character development, and leadership; ensuring every pupil is known, supported, and inspired to thrive.
Steeped in history dating back to 1572, Harrow continues to stand at the forefront of educational innovation, seamlessly blending heritage with modernity. Its inspiring teaching and coaching methodologies, cutting-edge technology, and world-class facilities ensure that every pupil is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
1572
450+
Years of legacy
830
Full-Boarding pupils
Founded in 1572, Harrow’s long heritage shapes a strong community spirit and sense of belonging. Its identity lies in balancing tradition with innovation, continuity with change.
Harrow School’s history spans more than four centuries of academic excellence
and character-driven education.
Harrow School was founded by John Lyon, a land-owning farmer from the village of Preston in the London Borough of Brent. He was granted a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, in 1572, to endow a parish school in Harrow on the Hill as a free grammar school for 30 local boys.
Harrow opened its doors to its first recorded pupil, Macharie Wildblud, son of the parish vicar, in 1615. Classes were held in the Fourth Form Room, the School’s original classroom, which is preserved to this day within the Old Schools building. The walls of the Fourth Form Room are famously covered with the names of Harrovians, as boys were once permitted to carve their names into them. Did young Macharie know that he would become the first pupil of an institution that would grow into a global symbol of education, associated with academic excellence and innovation?
Early pupils focused on Greek, Latin, and religious study, writing on their knees as there were no desks. By the late 17th century, the curriculum had broadened to include mathematics, handwriting, drawing, dancing, and fencing – signalling a gradual shift toward a more rounded education.
The Silver Arrow archery contest was introduced in 1678, following Sir Gilbert Talbot’s gift of a ceremonial arrow to be competed for annually by twelve boys. It quickly became a major social event in the School calendar and continued without interruption until 1772, reflecting the importance of sport and ceremony in early school life – a tradition that continues to this day.
As pupil numbers at the School grew, the role of Custos, or Custodian, was introduced. Custos’s role was akin to that of a School caretaker, focused on keeping the School running smoothly: ensuring lessons began on time and that boys were where they needed to be. Today, Custos plays an important role in ensuring pupils uphold Harrow’s standards of dress, conduct, and respect, and understand their place within a long and valued tradition.
The Eton v Harrow cricket match at Lord’s is one of the longest-running annual sporting fixtures in the world. Famously, Lord Byron (Harrow 1805), widely regarded as one of England’s greatest poets, played in its inaugural match. The longevity of this fixture, and the enduring enthusiasm it inspires, have helped cement sport as a central part of Harrow’s identity, a tradition that continues to this day.
The Harrovian is the longest-running school newspaper, dating back to 1828. Produced by the boys, it includes news, sports results, features, and comment pieces. It is also an invaluable resource for historians, capturing not only the details of School life but also the concerns of the wider world, as reflected in articles written by boys and staff, and offering a fascinating insight into social history.
Squash was invented in Harrow when the pupils started playing with a punctured rackets ball, which “squashed” on impact with the wall. In 1864 the first four Squash courts were constructed at Harrow School and squash was officially founded as a sport in its own right.
The long-standing annual tradition of Founder’s Day was established on 3 October 1842 to commemorate the anniversary of John Lyon’s death. Old Harrovians return to the Hill to play Harrow football against the School.
There was no official school uniform at Harrow until around 1850, and even then it developed gradually, with many of the conventions shaped by the boys themselves. Older boys were typically wearing black tailcoats and waistcoats, striped trousers, and top hats, while younger boys wore short jackets without tails. By 1830, the straw hat, originally used for cricket, had become common in the summer term. By 1888, blue jackets ‘bluers’ and grey flannel trousers ‘greyers’ had replaced tailcoats for games and half-holidays and during the First World War, as a measure of economy, these became the daily uniform. The origins of the School’s blue and white colours, however, remain a mystery.
While Old Harrovians helped to build modern Britain, the iconic High Street of the Hill recognisable today was also being built with the erection of the Chapel in the 1854, the Vaughan Library in the 1863 and Speech Room in the 1877. These developments shaped the physical and cultural heart of the School and began a tradition of inspiring learning environments that continues today.
Songs have been a unifying force in Harrow life since John Farmer wrote the first one as Head of Music in 1864. Communal singing fostered unity, identity, and tradition among pupils and they continue to be sung at Harrow School today, every term in Houses and regularly as a whole School. Forty Years On, written by Edward Bowen in 1872 has become known as The Harrow Song and, over the years, has been adopted by many other schools
The construction of the Shepherd Churchill Dining Hall brought pupils together for shared meals, strengthening unity across boarding Houses and modernising daily school life.
Harrow opened its first international school in 1998 with the opening of Harrow International School Bangkok, marking the beginning of the global Harrow family of Schools extending Harrow’s educational excellence and values beyond the UK.
Following the installation of a cutting-edge information technology system in 1999 with underground cabling installed across the School, computers were introduced into boarding houses in 2008, reflecting the School’s adaptation to modern education. This early adoption of technology was continued with the opening of a new Teaching, Learning and AI Hub in Old Schools in 2023, with tradition meeting innovation.
Harrow School’s four core values – courage, honour, humility, and fellowship – are rooted in its 1572 foundation, but they were formally reinforced and recognised through Values awards in 2022, the School’s 450th anniversary year.
Harrow School combines over 450 years of tradition with modern innovation. Customs like Songs, morning Bill, and its iconic uniform sit alongside advanced technology-driven teaching, state-of-the-art new learning environments facilities and ongoing boarding House renovations. A broad super-curriculum and global partnerships prepare pupils for a connected world.
At the heart of a Harrow education lies a set of deeply rooted values that shape the character of our community and inspire in students a lifelong commitment to learning, leadership and service.
Inspiring change for the better
Being worthy of OTHERS’ trust
Acknowledging our place in the world
Working together to achieve more
The opening of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi marks the next milestone in the partnership between Harrow School in the UK and Taaleem, combining Harrow’s 450-year tradition of educational excellence with Taaleem’s expertise in delivering exceptional schools across the UAE.
Building on the success of Harrow Dubai, the first Harrow school to open in the UAE, Harrow Abu Dhabi brings the Harrow ethos of excellence, leadership and opportunity to Abu Dhabi, creating a new destination for outstanding education.
A school where tradition and innovation come together to shape confident, compassionate and academically ambitious young people.
At Harrow Abu Dhabi, pupils will experience a world-class education anchored in the Harrow Values of courage, honour, humility, and fellowship. With a strong focus on academic excellence, character development, and preparation for entry into leading universities worldwide, our pupils will be equipped to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.
Families who join Harrow Abu Dhabi are acknowledging the rare opportunity for their children to benefit from the very best of Harrow’s legacy, alongside the proven success of Taaleem as an education provider within the UAE – a true testament to the vision of ‘Tradition Meets Tomorrow’.
Explore Harrow Abu Dhabi state-of-the-art facilities and innovative learning spaces, designed to foster inspiration, creativity, and excellence—a true reflection of our commitment to world-class education.
In partnership with the award-winning Leela’s Lunches, Harrow Abu Dhabi introduces a distinctive dining experience to the region, founded on the shared commitment to delivering a pupil-centred offering of the highest calibre. The dining offering presents a thoughtfully curated menu that celebrates Harrow’s rich British heritage whilst embracing a wide array of international cuisines, embodying the vibrant multicultural spirit of the UAE.
The Harrow Abu Dhabi menu is crafted to provide balanced, nutrient-rich meals that support every aspect of a pupil’s day. By prioritising whole foods, essential vitamins, and slow-release carbohydrates, the meals contribute to overall wellbeing, emotional balance, and academic performance, ensuring pupils are fuelled to thrive both mentally and physically.
Senior Leadership Team
Simon O’Connor
Executive Head Master of Harrow International Schools in the UAE
Adrian Frost
Harrow Abu Dhabi Head Master
| YEAR GROUP | TUITION FEE | DINING FEE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-PREP / FS1 | TUITION FEEAED 74,100 | DINING FEEAED 6,650 | TOTALAED 80,750 |
| PRE-PREP / FS2 | TUITION FEEAED 74,100 | DINING FEEAED 7,705 | TOTALAED 81,805 |
| PRE-PREP / YEAR 1 | TUITION FEEAED 74,100 | DINING FEEAED 9,660 | TOTALAED 83,760 |
| PRE-PREP / YEAR 2 | TUITION FEEAED 88,500 | DINING FEEAED 9,660 | TOTALAED 98,160 |
| PREP / YEAR 3 | TUITION FEEAED 88,500 | DINING FEEAED 11,825 | TOTALAED 100,325 |
| PREP / YEAR 4 | TUITION FEEAED 88,500 | DINING FEEAED 11,825 | TOTALAED 100,325 |
| PREP / YEAR 5 | TUITION FEEAED 92,750 | DINING FEEAED 13,440 | TOTALAED 106,190 |
| PREP / YEAR 6 | TUITION FEEAED 92,750 | DINING FEEAED 13,440 | TOTALAED 106,190 |
| *PREP / YEAR 7 | TUITION FEEAED 98,750 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *PREP / YEAR 8 | TUITION FEEAED 98,750 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *SHELL / YEAR 9 | TUITION FEEAED 98,750 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *REMOVE / YEAR 10 | TUITION FEEAED 116,900 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *FIFTH FORM / YEAR 11 | TUITION FEEAED 116,900 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *LOWER SIXTH / YEAR 12 | TUITION FEEAED 125,275 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
| *UPPER SIXTH / YEAR 13 | TUITION FEEAED 125,275 | DINING FEETo Be Confirmed | TOTAL– |
*These year groups will be added in future academic years.
Al Asayel Street, Al Thanyah Second –
Dubai – United Arab Emirates
At Harrow Dubai, we combine the rigour of the British curriculum with an education that extends far beyond the classroom. Through the House system and a rich Super-Curriculum, every pupil will be supported to discover their talents, pursue their passions, and develop the confidence and character to thrive. Central to our approach is the belief that every pupil will be known, valued, and challenged, with their education personalised to ensure they fulfil their potential.
Simon O'Connor