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Harrow International School Hong Kong

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Harrow International School Hong Kong is the first international boarding and day school in Hong Kong and opened in September 2012. It is the third in the Harrow family of schools in the Asia region, in association with Harrow School (London, UK), joining Harrow International School Bangkok (established in 1998) and Harrow International School Beijing (established in 2005). The School provides a British independent style of education from Early Years to Y13 in custom-built facilities near the Gold Coast, Tuen Mun in Hong Kong. Harrow Hong Kong integrates elements of educational philosophy, practice and traditions from Harrow School in England into the diverse international community of Hong Kong. It places emphasis on high expectations of academic and extra-curricular achievement, positive contributions to the School community, and the development of leadership skills.

Background

The school is one of four international schools to have benefited from being allocated land by the Hong Kong government, the others being Kellett School, Hong Kong Academy, and Christian Alliance International School.[1] It has been built on land formerly used as an army barracks in Tuen Mun in the New Territories.[2] The land had been granted by the Hong Kong government in late 2008 at a nominal rate.

Hong Kong Education Minister Michael Suen Ming-yeung said in 2009 that the Hong Kong government wanted to facilitate and promote the international school sector to underpin Hong Kong's position as a "world Asian city". There are already a number of international schools in Hong Kong.[3]

There is demand from Hong-Kong's millionaires who have nostalgia for the old British systems, for a British-style education for their children, without having to send them too far.[4]

The school

There are to be places for both junior and secondary school, with the secondary section including boarding places, and the whole school being mixed, unlike the London school.[5] The junior section will start for pupils aged 2 and the secondary school ends for pupils aged 18.[6]

Selection

The school looks to admit pupils with the aptitude, ability and personality to thrive in and contribute to a diverse international community. The School’s vision statement Leadership for a better world and its boarding ethos strongly influence the key areas of emphasis in the School and, therefore, the factors that are important in its admissions procedures and decision-making:

  • Academic excellence.
  • Commitment to a broad range of extra-curricular activities.
  • The importance of relationships in the School community and the personal formation of character of each student.

There are a number of important guiding principles that influence the admissions procedures:

1. The Education Bureau stipulates that:

  • No more than 50% of places can be given to local pupils with Hong Kong passports only.
  • At least 50% of all pupils from Year 6 and above must be boarders (weekly or full).

2. Applications from pupils from Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan can only be considered if:

  • Their parents have Hong Kong residency and the necessary supporting documentation. Such students are then deemed to be local Hong Kong students.
  • The student holds an additional overseas passport eligible for entry to Hong Kong.

3. English is the only inclusive language of the School and applicants must be proficient in it in order to access the full range of the curriculum and to be able to contribute positively to the School community.

4. The House structure in the Upper School means there must be a balance between boarders and day pupils, as well as boys and girls in each year group: this has consequences on admissions in the Lower School and the availability of places at any one time in a particular year group.

Apart from in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Head Master, the School does not normally accept pupils into Years 11 and 13.[7]

The school is selective in its admission policy, not just ability to pay. Pupils will be selected according to evidence shown in tests and interviews for a propensity to contribute to school life academically and in other fields.[8]

Staff and management

The school will function under a corporate management and also governors retained by Harrow School in London.

The school's first headmaster is Mel Mrowiec who was previously deputy-head at the Harrow School in London. Curriculum is set to be based around IGCSE and A-Levels. Admission will be based on merit and there will be bursaries and scholarships for gifted applicants.[9]

Many of the teachers are to be recruited from the UK.[10]

Facilities

Its architecture is said to be based on the Royal Terrace, Bath. Facilities will include auditorium, playing fields, sports hall, and indoor swimming pool.[11]

Construction is in progress and as of May 2012 the school has officially reported their plans are making good time.[12]

Fees

With high fees, parents are expected to have a choice of financial packages which can assist. Capital certificates and debentures have been for purpose of funding the construction of the school.[13]

Houses

Boarding places are available from Year 6. There are different Houses for prep-school pupils (Y 6-8) and senior-school pupils (Y9-13).

See also

References

  1. ^ Michelle Yun and Marco Lui Harrow Taps Hong Kong’s ‘Nightmare’ 3-Year School Place Wait 18 October 2011 Bloomberg Businessweek Retrieved 1 May 2012
  2. ^ Roland Lim Harrow Hong Kong to open in Aug 2012 14 April 2010 Channel NewsAsia Retrieved 1 May 2012
  3. ^ Andrea Chan Top schools face Harrow challenge 7 August 2009 Hong Kong Standard Retrieved 3 May 2012
  4. ^ Ming Yeung Harrow tapping Asian market 30 July 2010 China Daily Retrieved 3 May 2012
  5. ^ Andrea Chun Top schools face Harrow challenge 7 August 2009 The Hong Kong Standard Retrieved 1 May 2012
  6. ^ Warwick Mansell Expat guide to Hong Kong: schools 28 September 2011 The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 1 May 2012
  7. ^ http://www.harrowschool.hk/admissions_process.aspx
  8. ^ Warwick Mansell Expat guide to Hong Kong: schools 28 September 2011 The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 4 May 2012
  9. ^ Warwick Mansell Expat guide to Hong Kong: schools 28 September 2011 The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 1 May 2012
  10. ^ Harrow Opens New School in Hong Kong September 2009 InternationaSchool Star Magazine Retrieved 1 May 2012
  11. ^ Warwick Mansell Expat guide to Hong Kong: schools 28 September 2011 The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 1 May 2012
  12. ^ Construction Progress 3 May 2012 Harrow INternational School Hong Kong Retrieved 3 May 2012
  13. ^ Colleen Lee Harrowing 27 May 2011 The Hong Kong Standard Retrieved 2 May 2012
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