Harrow International School Shanghai

Harrow International School Shanghai is located in Pudong New Area at No. 588 Gaoxi Road, Shanghai (east of the Huangpu River). The school website gives the full address and a ‘How to find us' / map link for visitors; it is reachable by Shanghai's road network and by the school's dedicated bus routes.

The school serves pupils aged 18 months to 18 years and is organised into Early Years, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form phases (Early Years 1.5–5; Pre-Prep 5–9; Prep 9–13; Senior 13–16; Sixth Form 16–18).

Harrow Shanghai is a co-educational international day school for ages 18 months–18 years; the school's public pages describe the Harrow curriculum and pupil age range but do not advertise on-site boarding facilities.

The school runs an Academic Support programme that includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision and a Learning Support department for students with mild or time-limited learning needs; support is described as bespoke and coordinated with parents. The site also lists a named SENCO and related policies (e.g., SEND policy).

Harrow Shanghai is part of the Harrow family of schools and its curriculum is rooted in the English National Curriculum — the school describes itself as connected to the Harrow (UK) tradition.

The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public information pages; its materials focus on a British international curriculum and school values rather than a faith designation.

The school follows an academic calendar with term dates and a published school calendar; lessons are organised into the usual taught day with breaks and a lunchtime (school-provided lunch is offered). Exact start/end times and break times are set by year group and are published in the school calendar or provided by Admissions on request.

An optional school-bus service is available and run for many residential areas in Shanghai; the school names Peixing as a regular transport provider, notes that each bus carries an escort, and that parents of Early Years pupils must provide car seats if they use the bus. Routes and stops change each term to accommodate parents' requests. Bus fees and distance rules are listed on the fees page (service is optional and priced separately).

Harrow International School Shanghai bases its programme on the English National Curriculum, combining an examined strand (preparation for public exams) with a broader non‑examined curriculum for wider skills and enrichment. Early Years (18 months–5 years) follow a bespoke early years programme with dedicated facilities, moving into Pre‑Prep (ages 5–9) and Prep (9–13) which build knowledge and skills toward the Senior curriculum. The Senior School (ages 13–16) delivers IGCSE courses, normally taken in Years 10–11, and the Sixth Form (ages 16–18) runs a two‑year A‑Level programme (AS in Year 12, A‑Level in Year 13) with students typically studying three to four subjects. Mandarin is taught as a core language from Pre‑Nursery to Year 9 and becomes elective in Upper School with IGCSE and AS/A‑Level pathways available. The school also provides specialist music and drama lessons, performing and creative arts, and a broad extra‑curricular activities programme to complement formal qualifications.

Harrow Shanghai places SEL within its pastoral care structures, centred on a House and tutor system where each pupil belongs to a tutor group and meets their tutor daily; the Senior Housemaster leads wellbeing provision and oversight. The school describes tutor groups and the House system as the primary mechanism for monitoring and supporting students' personal development and character education. Wellbeing activities are delivered through the school's PSHE programme and targeted initiatives such as talks and themed weeks that cover topics like mental wellbeing, sleep hygiene and stress management. The website also highlights school-wide events (for example, Free Thinking/identity weeks and expeditions) that provide opportunities for reflection, collaboration and leadership.

Harrow Shanghai's Learning Support department provides targeted, bespoke interventions for students with mild learning challenges and for those who need curriculum adaptation or subject-specific support to reach their potential. The school says support is time-limited and designed to address specific gaps so students can access the mainstream curriculum; differentiation in class is also identified as a routine practice. The learning support descriptions cover students who display barriers to learning as well as those with higher-than-average aptitude needing extension. The school's published materials do not identify it as a specialist SEN institution; the online information focuses on in-school learning support rather than specialist external placements.

Harrow Shanghai publishes an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme that offers bespoke language support for non-native English speakers with limited English, combining academic and pastoral support to help pupils integrate into mainstream British-style classes. The programme's stated aims include teaching all aspects of English, providing subject-specific support, helping students work independently in mainstream classrooms, and supporting staff with EAL best practice. The school describes EAL provision as individualised so pupils can progress at their own pace until they have the classroom language and confidence required to join mainstream lessons.

The school's wellbeing provision is managed through its pastoral structures and led at a senior level (Senior Housemaster), with the PSHE programme explicitly covering mental wellbeing topics and initiatives such as stress management and sleep hygiene. Harrow Shanghai also runs wider programmes and school events intended to build resilience and self-reflection (for example themed weeks and expeditions). Additionally, the school operates an on-site Clinic staffed for first aid and student health needs, and it publishes clinic opening hours and procedures for when a student becomes unwell. Together these elements are presented as part of the school's approach to promoting a safe and supportive environment for student wellbeing.

Harrow Shanghai states a clear commitment to child protection on its website and publishes its child protection page with named Designated Safeguarding Officers and a contact email for concerns (troundell@harrowshanghai.cn). The school requires staff and visitors to comply with its child protection and safeguarding policies and notes that all adults undergo safeguarding checks as part of recruitment processes. The published pages describe training, supervision, and guidance for staff to identify and respond to concerns, and direct parents to the appropriate safeguarding contacts within each school section. For more detail the school's child protection page lists named officers and contact routes.

1. Research and visit the campus. Parents are encouraged to book a campus tour or open day so you can see lessons, meet staff and ask questions; the school's site provides a “book a tour” link for this purpose. Visiting early will help you confirm whether the school's age ranges and curriculum fit your child; check the Age Guidelines for Entry page to confirm the correct year group for your child.

2. Complete the online application (one form per child). Applications are submitted through the school's OpenApply portal (the site links to “Apply Now”); each application must be accompanied by the required supporting documents and the non‑refundable application fee. The school specifically notes that because many year groups have waiting lists, it is best to apply early to avoid disappointment.

3. Pay the application fee and await assessment scheduling. A non‑refundable application fee of RMB 3,000 is charged prior to the assessment date; after you submit the OpenApply form and fee, the Admissions team will contact you to schedule the appropriate assessment and/or interview depending on your child's age. Be prepared for differences in assessment format by age (Early Years screening is different to academic testing for older children) and check communications from Admissions for precise instructions.

4. Attend the assessment and interview. The school will run the assessment(s) and interviews with the child (and sometimes with parents) as part of the selection process; older applicants will have formal academic assessments and interviews, while younger children will have age‑appropriate activities and observations. Make sure you bring or have uploaded any requested documents (previous school reports, identification and any materials the school asks for) and arrive prepared for things to take the scheduled time; the Admissions team will tell you what to expect for your child's year group.

5. Offer, acceptance paperwork and fees after an offer. If the assessment and interview are successful, the school will phone you and follow up with a formal offer letter from the Head Master. To accept, you must sign and return the Acceptance Form, the Terms and Conditions, the School Bus form (if required) and the Medical Form; after accepting an offer a refundable Resources Fee of RMB 25,000 is payable and held by the school for the duration of the pupil's enrolment. Review the Fees page carefully for the Resources Fee, tuition schedules and the school's withdrawal/refund rules before returning paperwork.

6. Tuition, payment and practical arrangements. The school publishes a tuition schedule and payment options for the 2025/26 year (tuition varies by year group) and accepts payments by bank transfer in RMB or USD; the Fees page also shows optional charges (bus, lunch) and sibling discounts. Take note of the payment deadlines, the school's late‑payment penalties and the bank account details on the Fees page if you plan to make a transfer; if you need fee clarification or an invoice, contact the Finance Office.

7. If you have questions or need help at any stage, contact Admissions directly. If you expect to request bursary support or to apply for a scholarship, notify Admissions at the application stage so they can explain the additional application steps.

Harrow Shanghai operates a scholarship programme and a separate bursary process. The scholarship programme is open to applicants for entry into Year 9 up to Lower Sixth (Year 12) and can provide remission of tuition fees of up to 100%; applicants undergo formal academic assessments, an online cognitive ability test and interviews with senior staff including the Head Master. Scholarship applications are made via the OpenApply form (tick the scholarship item) and the school says the application window remains open throughout the year, with awards made when suitable candidates are identified.

Bursaries: The school also offers means‑tested bursaries to help talented students whose families have low household income. All prospective pupils may request consideration for a bursary at the application stage; parents who indicate they require assistance are asked to complete a confidential financial form and decisions are discretionary and reviewed annually. Bursary candidates must meet the school's academic entrance requirements; when demand exceeds availability, bursaries are awarded with reference to performance in the entrance examinations. For the bursary application form and details about the financial information required, contact Admissions or download the bursary form from the Scholarships & Bursaries page.

The school's Admissions page explicitly states that there are waiting lists for many year groups and therefore advises parents to apply early; that is the only direct information about a waitlist on the public pages. The site does not publish a detailed public description of how the waitlist/pool is ordered, how long offers typically take, or whether there are separate priority categories, so the practical mechanics (for example whether positions are offered strictly by application date, by assessment ranking, or by other criteria) are not specified online. For clear, case‑specific information (current queue position, expected wait times for a particular year group, and any paperwork required to remain on the list) the school asks families to contact Admissions directly; they can provide the most up‑to‑date guidance for your child's year group.