Founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth I, Harrow has produced many statesmen such as Peel, Palmerston, Churchill, Nehru and King Hussein of Jordan; writers including Byron, Sheridan, Trollope and Richard Curtis; Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury and influential social reformer; Lord Rayleigh, the physicist and Nobel prize-winner; Fox Talbot, the inventor of photography; the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and James Bruce the explorer; Admiral Rodney and Field Marshal Alexander; and 19 winners of the Victoria Cross.
PERSONALISED LEARNING
At Harrow School Online, pupils experience all of the flexibility of self-paced learning within the structure of a complete school programme supported by expert teachers and tutors. Before the academic year begins, new pupils participate in an online orientation to become familiar with the platform and learning protocols. The online lessons are carefully designed to ensure pupils’ success, while generating deep data about their learning. As pupils work through their lessons, their teachers monitor their progress and remain in frequent contact to provide support and extension. Approximately one third of each course is delivered via live online lessons, for which pupils log on in small groups for targeted instruction from the teacher.
TEACHERS & TUTORS
Harrow School Online builds on the educational tradition of Harrow School, which combines deep subject knowledge with teaching that engages and enlightens. Teachers at Harrow School Online have been specially trained to bring that unique approach online, in order to reach pupils around the globe. In addition to leading live teaching sessions and shaping the online self-study content, Harrow School Online teachers serve as House Tutors, working with pupils individually each week to further their overall academic progress.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME
Beyond their academic work, pupils engage in a variety of activities that develop character, foster friendships and promote leadership and personal fulfilment. Extra curricular opportunities include online activities such as chess club, art club, robotics and a literary magazine. In addition, the co-curriculum encourages pupils to be engaged in service to their local communities. The highly flexible “anywhere, anytime, any place” aspects of Harrow School Online allows pupils to participate in these activities throughout the week.
TECHNOLOGY
Harrow School Online is powered by Pearson Connexus, a platform used by more than 75,000 online school pupils around the world. The platform features a rich online curriculum with embedded multimedia, real-time classroom sessions, chat and secure email. Live online technical support is available during school hours. To access Harrow School Online’s many resources and connect with teachers and peers, each pupil needs a laptop or desktop computer with a modern operating system (Windows 10 or later, or Mac OS 10.7 or later) and browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 11 or later, Microsoft Edge, or Safari). A broadband Internet connection is required.
TERM DATES
Harrow School Online operates on the British academic year, with lessons for the next Autumn term starting in September 2021. Terms run from September to mid December, January to early April, and late April to June. Pupils are expected to devote approximately 30 hours per week to their Harrow School Online activities, including flexible access to all of their course studies and scheduled timings for live sessions with teachers, tutors and peers. Applications for the 2021 school year are now open.
PRE-START SUMMER COURSE
In 2021, global health conditions permitting, pupils at Harrow School Online are invited to attend a pre-start summer course at Harrow School for an additional fee. Pupils can experience Harrow School’s historic setting, and meet some of the Harrow School Online teachers and peers. Our summer programmes include options for pupils to improve their English skills and to build their confidence in debate and presentation. Pupils are kept busy with an exciting programme of excursions around London, team-building activities, and a chance to try some traditional Harrow sports, such as fencing and fives. Attendance is optional but encouraged as a great way to get to know fellow Online Harrovians.
HARROW SCHOOL ONLINE
Harrow School Online is a new kind of school that brings the richness of a Harrow School education to the homes of pupils around the world. Harrow School Online combines the flexibility of modern “anywhere, anytime” learning with rigorous full-time academic study led by UK-based teachers. While our pupils work towards their choice of university and future career, they develop a worldwide network of friendships to last a lifetime. This prospectus provides a glimpse into the Harrow School Online experience. At Harrow School Online, our curriculum and top quality teachers ensure academic mastery. Meanwhile, our one-to-one academic tutorials and regular life coaching sessions provide pupils with personalised support and feedback, helping them to manage their studies while developing a sense of purpose and the skills to navigate an unknown future.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Harrow School Online offers a robust and focused Sixth Form programme. In the 2021 academic year, this involves Edexcel International A Level courses in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Economics, along with a range of ‘Super Curriculum’ enrichment courses to inspire intellectual curiosity and an interest in ideas for their own sake. In addition to providing a high-quality academic programme, Harrow School Online offers pupils clubs and activities — from chess and robotics to poetry and art. The Harrow School Online extra-curricular programme encourages pupils to be engaged in service, fellowship and leadership in both their online and local communities.
SUCCESS COACHING
As well as their teachers and tutors, each pupil has a Success Coach who supports them to thrive in the present and plan for the future. Success Coaches work with pupils to develop their academic, personal and social skills while applying to the university of their choice and preparing for the career of their dreams. The Success Coach fulfils this critical role through a combination of fortnightly one-to-one guidance sessions and small-group sessions tailored to pupils’ needs. Harrow School Online Success Coaches also advise on various co-curricular activities, from the Debating Society and the school newspaper to the STEM Club, providing multiple opportunities to build relationships with and mentor Online Harrovians.
THE HOUSES
Inspired by the boarding Houses at Harrow School, Harrow School Online is organised into virtual Houses which connect pupils and staff beyond academic study. Each House comprises approximately 75 pupils, with a Head of House selected from the Upper Sixth Form (Year 13). Houses are led by a House Master or Mistress and have a dedicated team of tutors and a Success Coach. Online House meetings provide a forum for announcements, discussion and the celebration of traditions such as inter-House competitions. Friendships between pupils are strengthened by mentoring across year groups and House-based co-curricular activities.
OUR SUBJECTS
Harrow School Online offers the most in-demand International A Level subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Economics. Each two-year course is specially designed to provide a rich and rigorous online learning experience, combining text, video and interactive simulations. Pupils receive 5.25 hours of instruction per subject per week, including 1.25 hours taught live by our teachers in an online classroom. In addition, our pupils conduct 3.75 hours of learning by completing rich, interactive self-study lessons, while their teachers monitor their progress and provide individualised help.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
We expect pupils at Harrow School Online to successfully navigate an online International A Level and to succeed at this critical stage of their education. We look for pupils who will embrace and abide by Harrow School’s Values of courage, honour, humility and fellowship. To be admitted to Harrow School Online, prospective pupils must demonstrate:
Academic potential: For pupils who have taken GCSEs or International GCSEs, we look for grades of 7-8-9 or A-A* in seven to eight subjects. All applicants will also take subject entrance tests.
English language proficiency:
English requirements below.
Suitability for online study: Online education requires a degree of self-motivation and self-management.
A good behavioural record and the potential to lead a life of learning, leadership, service and personal fulfilment, in line with Harrow School’s purpose.
THE POWER OF ONLINE LEARNING
As a high-calibre online school that delivers the British curriculum, Harrow School Online offers a quality education that optimises its pupils’ university and career prospects. Our online schooling programme has a number of other unique benefits, such as:
Individualisation: Pupils follow an individual learning pathway, working through self-study materials at a pace that suits them and studying in small classes with lessons carefully tailored to their needs. Every pupil is seen and heard, and no one is left behind.
Participation: In the self-study aspect of our courses, there are more opportunities for pupils to participate and respond to content than in a traditional face to-face environment, and more time to reflect on topics and give deeper thought to responses.
Self-discipline: Harrow School Online supports pupils to become better independent learners and to develop strong self-discipline skills, which is invaluable preparation for university. Harrow School Online requires its pupils to be dedicated, focused and organised, and rewards them with a personalised, flexible and supportive education like no other.
UNIVERSITY FOCUS
From their first days at Harrow School Online, pupils are counselled by a Success Coach on university selection, including Oxford, Cambridge and the Ivy League. As pupils complete their International A Level courses, they make plans for their university and career pathways. Success Coaches guide them through this process and, along with their House Master and House Tutor, help them to prepare for university and work placement applications and interviews. In May or June of their second year at Harrow School Online, our pupils sit their International A Level examinations at the Edexcel test centre of their choice. We say goodbye to them at a leavers’ ceremony, but stay in touch through our Online Harrovian alumni network.
SUPER-CURRICULUM
Harrow School Online offers a diverse programme of Super-Curricular electives beyond the International A Level subjects, on topics such as game design or the ethics of genetic engineering. Pupils have access to a wide range of learning resources selected by Harrow School Online staff, such as recorded TED Talks and guest lectures from Harrow School. The Super-Curriculum inspires intellectual curiosity and engenders a love for learning that will remain with our pupils throughout their lives.
PARENT SUPPORT
As Harrow School Online pupils attend school primarily from home, parents have a very clear view of their children’s learning and play a crucial role as mentors in promoting their success. Harrow School Online’s technology platform keeps parents updated in real time on their children’s progress, providing them with the tools they need to guide and motivate. Our Success Coaches work closely with our parents to help them support their children’s education. Being a Harrow School Online parent requires a unique commitment, but is extremely rewarding.
EXAMINATIONS
The examination board for pupils at Harrow School Online is Pearson Edexcel. Pearson Edexcel International A Levels are globally recognised qualifications which open doors to top local and international universities. International A Levels have a modular structure, yet remain comparable to A Levels. This has been confirmed by NARIC, the agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications worldwide. Pupils choose where to sit their Edexcel International A Level examinations from a list of approved examination centres, which are conveniently located throughout the world.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
English is the language of instruction and engagement at Harrow School Online. Pupils who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate a minimum level of English Language proficiency through one of the following tests:
PTE Academic, Overall Score 58; IELTS, Band 6.5; TOEFL (IBT), 86.
Candidates who have not been able to sit an English language test prior to making an application may request to sit our in-house English test. For those who need them, Harrow School Online offers support classes in English as an Additional Language (EAL) for an additional fee, prior to or in combination with their Sixth Form studies.
For further details and to apply, please email us at info@kingswood-uk.com and we will get back to you. We are an official representative of Harrow School Online.