- Location
- London
- Recorded age range
- 12–19
- Education
- A-Level · British
About Harrow School
A 400-year tradition of boys' full-boarding education on the edge of London, with a tutorial system designed around individual aspiration.
School background from the saved source · 2026-05-31
Harrow School was founded in 1572 by John Lyon — a Harrow-on-the-Hill yeoman — under royal charter of Elizabeth I. Lyon endowed the school for the education of poor boys of Harrow parish, with provision for any "foreigner" (i.e. non-local boys) to be admitted on payment of fees, on the condition that the local boys retained priority. The school operates today on a hilltop campus in Harrow-on-the-Hill, north-west London, with views across London to the south and the Hertfordshire countryside to the north. The Head Master is Alastair Land. Harrow remains boys-only, boarding only, ages 13-18, with around 831 pupils — all boarders.
The school is a member of the HMC and the Boarding Schools Association and was named in the Clarendon Commission of 1864 as one of the "Nine Great Schools" of England (with Eton, Winchester, Westminster, Charterhouse, St Paul's, Merchant Taylors', Shrewsbury and Rugby). Harrow's contemporary day-school provision for the boys of Harrow itself is met by John Lyon School, founded in 1876 as a separate Harrow Foundation institution — so the Tudor "Harrow boys retain priority" provision is preserved through John Lyon School rather than Harrow itself.
Harrow has produced eight British Prime Ministers — second only to Eton in any single school's count of Prime Ministers — including most famously Sir Winston Churchill KG OM, the Prime Minister who led Britain through the Second World War, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his historical writings, and who is consistently ranked by historians as the greatest twentieth-century British Prime Minister. Lord Palmerston (PM 1855-58 and 1859-65), the dominant figure of mid-Victorian Britain, and Stanley Baldwin (three-time PM in the inter-war period) are among the other Harrovian Prime Ministers. Spencer Perceval — the only British Prime Minister ever assassinated, shot in the lobby of the House of Commons in 1812 — was a Harrow boy.
The Harrovian literary alumni list is remarkable. The Romantic poet Lord Byron — Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, and the most internationally famous British poet of the early nineteenth century — was a Harrow boy and is buried at Harrow. The Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope — the Barchester Chronicles and the Palliser series — was at Harrow. The Nobel Laureate in Literature John Galsworthy (The Forsyte Saga, 1932) was a Harrovian. The eighteenth-century playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan (The School for Scandal, The Rivals — defining works of English comic theatre) was at Harrow.
Harrow has trained the heads of state of several non-British nations. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India (1947-64), was at Harrow. King Hussein of Jordan, King Faisal II of Iraq and Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman were all Harrow boys. In contemporary culture, the Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch — Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's Sherlock, Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alan Turing in The Imitation Game and Patrick Melrose in the Channel 4 series — was a Harrow boy. The singer-songwriter James Blunt was at Harrow before serving as a cavalry officer in Kosovo.
Harrow's annual cricket match against Eton, played at Lord's Cricket Ground since 1805, is the oldest fixture in the cricket calendar and the longest-running annual cricket fixture in the world. The school operates a substantial bursary programme via the John Lyon Foundation.
School life and areas of focus
- Full-boarding only
- Oxbridge tutorial system
- Strong drama and music
- Iconic London location
- Founded 1572 by John Lyon, a Harrow yeoman, by royal charter of Elizabeth I — 454-year history
- Boys-only ages 13-18, boarding only
- ≈831 pupils — all boarders
- Set on a hilltop urban campus in Harrow-on-the-Hill, north-west London
- One of the original 'Nine Great Schools' of England (Clarendon Commission 1864)
- Has produced 8 British Prime Ministers including Winston Churchill — second only to Eton
- Twin foundation of John Lyon School (day school for Harrow boys — separate institution since 1876)
- Substantial bursary programme — King's Scholars and Foundation Bursaries
- Founded 1572 — 454 year tradition
- 831-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Christian foundation
- A-Level A*-B*: 45% achieve AAB+
Education and school life
Explore the curriculum and subjects below. Our team can help you find out about subject choices, year groups and programme availability.
- Programme type
- Boarding school
- Curriculum
- A-Level, British
- Teaching language
- English
- Campus setting
- urban
Subject areas
- Leadership
- STEM
- Arts
- Sport
- Politics (8 British Prime Ministers — second only to Eton)
- Literature (Byron, Sheridan, Trollope, Galsworthy alumni)
- Music
- Classics
- Sciences
- Sport (cricket — annual Eton v Harrow match at Lord's since 1805)
Listed memberships and accreditations
- HMC
- ISI Excellent
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- Clarendon School (one of the original 'Nine Great Schools' of England)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
Study and progression pathways
- Leadership
- Business
- Arts
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Cambridge, Imperial, UCL)
- US Ivy League universities
- Sandhurst / Royal Navy / Foreign Office
Academic profile in the catalogue
No review date is recorded for these catalogue figures.
- Typical class size
- 15 · catalogue record
- Student / teacher ratio
- 1:8 · catalogue record
The source does not specify a measurement year for these figures. Ask our team about current class sizes and staffing.
Campus, boarding and student community
Catalogue profile
- Founded
- 1572
- Recorded student population
- 830
- Campus setting
- urban
- Boarding
- Listed in the catalogue
- Co-education
- Not recorded as co-educational; confirm intake
School-wide directory record
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-18
- School stages
- Senior, Sixth Form
- Directory age range
- 12-19
- Student intake
- Boys
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
- Religious ethos
- Christian
- Inspectorate
- ISI
- Total pupils
- 831
- Boys · number / share
- 831 · 100%
- Pupils receiving SEN support · number / share
- 220 · 26.47%
- Pupils with an EHC plan · number / share
- 0 · 0%
Directory and catalogue figures are shown separately because their age groups or record dates may differ.
Recorded examination results
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-18
- Qualification
- A-level
- Results year
- 2025
- Average grade
- A-
- Progress score
- 0.14 (Above Average)
- AAB or higher
- 44.60%
Results are for the year shown, separately from the estimated catalogue indicators.
Tuition and costs
Recorded GBP school fees
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-18
| Attendance | Recorded range |
|---|---|
| Boarding fees | £21,244.80 |
These historical directory amounts are not a confirmed school quotation. The billing period, VAT, academic year and included costs need confirmation from the school.
Catalogue USD figures
Catalogue fee range · USD
Catalogue figures are shown in US dollars (USD). The fee period and academic year are not specified in this record. UK institutions generally publish their own fees in pounds sterling (GBP); check the current fee schedule rather than treating this range as a GBP price.
Ask the UniCampus team about the fee period, entry year, boarding and additional costs.
Ask about current feesPlanning your application
Entry requirements depend on the school, age group and programme. Talk to the UniCampus team about school reports, language requirements, assessments and your application timeline.
- Catalogue application window
- October 30, 2026
- Listed intake
- September 2027
These catalogue notes do not confirm an available place or a current deadline. MEC guidance can help you organise a shortlist and prepare questions for the school.
Support recorded in the catalogue
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Listed; eligibility and availability need confirmation
- Visa application support
- Listed; confirm what assistance is provided
Source notes and alternative records
Dated background research is retained below; source descriptions may differ and have not been newly verified by UniCampus.
School background research · 2026-05-31
School background notes
Source record dated 2026-05-31 · Source text retained in English
Read this source's description in the school overview.
- Founded · source note
- 1572
- Campus setting · source note
- urban
- Religious ethos · source note
- Church of England
- School leadership · source note
- Alastair Land (Head Master)
- Scholarships · source note
- Mentioned in saved research; confirm current terms
Additional subject and programme notes
- Politics (8 British Prime Ministers — second only to Eton)
- Literature (Byron, Sheridan, Trollope, Galsworthy alumni)
- Music
- Classics
- Sciences
- Sport (cricket — annual Eton v Harrow match at Lord's since 1805)
Listed education pathways
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Cambridge, Imperial, UCL)
- US Ivy League universities
- Sandhurst / Royal Navy / Foreign Office
Memberships and accreditations in the source
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- Clarendon School (one of the original 'Nine Great Schools' of England)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
School-life notes
- Founded 1572 by John Lyon, a Harrow yeoman, by royal charter of Elizabeth I — 454-year history
- Boys-only ages 13-18, boarding only
- ≈831 pupils — all boarders
- Set on a hilltop urban campus in Harrow-on-the-Hill, north-west London
- One of the original 'Nine Great Schools' of England (Clarendon Commission 1864)
- Has produced 8 British Prime Ministers including Winston Churchill — second only to Eton
- Twin foundation of John Lyon School (day school for Harrow boys — separate institution since 1876)
- Substantial bursary programme — King's Scholars and Foundation Bursaries
Notable alumni listed in the source
- Lord Byron (Romantic poet — Don Juan, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage)
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan (eighteenth-century playwright — The School for Scandal, The Rivals)
- Anthony Trollope (Victorian novelist — Barchester Chronicles, Palliser series)
- John Galsworthy (1932 Nobel Laureate in Literature — The Forsyte Saga)
- Jawaharlal Nehru (first Prime Minister of independent India, 1947-64)
- King Hussein of Jordan
- King Faisal II of Iraq
- Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman
- Lord Cardigan (commander of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Crimean War)
- Field Marshal Sir Henry Hardinge (Governor-General of India)
- Benedict Cumberbatch (Oscar-nominated actor — Sherlock, Doctor Strange, The Imitation Game, Patrick Melrose)
- James Blunt (singer-songwriter — You're Beautiful; cavalry officer Iraq/Kosovo)
- Sir Patrick Vallance (former Government Chief Scientific Adviser)
- Crispin Odey (hedge fund manager)
Additional school record · 2026-05-30
Additional saved school information
Source record dated 2026-05-30 · Source text retained in English
- Founded · source note
- 1572
- Scholarships · source note
- Mentioned in saved research; confirm current terms
School-life notes
- Founded 1572 — 454 year tradition
- 831-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Christian foundation
- A-Level A*-B*: 45% achieve AAB+
Schoolscout introduction
Harrow School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and character development within the independent education landscape of the UK. Renowned for its ri...
School location
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-18
- Recorded address
- 5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, London, HA1 3HP
- Postcode
- HA1 3HP
Questions in the source record
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-18 · Original English answers
What type of school is Harrow School?
Harrow School is a boys' independent mainstream school for pupils aged 12 to 19, located near Harrow-on-the-Hill in Middlesex. The school offers education from Senior through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to Harrow School?
The admissions process usually starts well in advance of entry and may involve assessments and interviews. The school admissions timeline guide outlines key stages and deadlines.
What are the fees at Harrow School?
Fees for Harrow School vary by year group, with typical termly costs around £21,244.
Is Harrow School a day or boarding school?
Harrow School is a boarding school.
Is Harrow School a single-sex or co-educational school?
The school provides single-sex education for its pupils.
Contact our team for current dates, entry criteria and fees.
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