Harrow International School Shenzhen vs Shenzhen College of International Education

	H Harrow International School Shenzhen Shenzhen, China	S Shenzhen College of International Education Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 291,400 - 360,300	Fees / year RMB 273,000 - 303,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 14 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 900	Pupils 1,800
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 11
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2020	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Harrow Shenzhen is located in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone, Nanshan District (No.39 KeChuang 6th St), Shenzhen — a short commute from the Shekou/Qianhai areas and with cross‑border business links toward Hong Kong.	Location SCIE is on a purpose-built campus at No. 3 Antuoshan 6th Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (postcode shown on the school site). The campus moved to Antuo Hill in 2020 and sits in central Futian, close to the city's business district; local public transport options include Shenzhen's metro (Longhua Line to Fumin Station) and several city bus routes near Huanggang Park.
Stages	Stages The school serves pupils aged 2–18, organised as Early Years (2–5), Pre‑Prep (5–11), Prep (11–13), Senior (13–16) and Sixth Form (16–18).	Stages SCIE is a four‑year international high school: G1 and G2 follow the IGCSE programme, and A1 and A2 are the final two years when students study A‑Levels or AP.
School type	School type Harrow Shenzhen is a co‑educational day and boarding school offering boarding options (including flexi‑boarding) from upper primary/Year 5 through to Sixth Form.	School type Co‑educational; SCIE operates as a day school with boarding facilities on campus (the website describes dormitories and residential support).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has a published SEND policy and a SEND Coordinator; support includes EAL programmes, small‑group literacy and maths support, dyslexia intervention, social‑skills work, access to a school psychologist and individual education plans (IEPs) where required.	Additional learning support The school describes a pastoral and wellbeing structure (form tutors, Heads of Year, a wellbeing centre with counsellors and on‑site nurses) and mandatory safeguarding procedures. The website does not publish a detailed public 'SEN/Additional Learning Needs' policy; parents with specific ALN/SEN questions should contact admissions or the pastoral team for case‑by‑case detail.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Harrow Shenzhen is part of the Harrow/AISL group and follows a British international curriculum linked to Harrow (UK) schools.	Country affiliation SCIE teaches a UK curriculum (IGCSE and A‑Level pathways) but is an international college rather than formally affiliated to a national church or foreign government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school presents a values‑based ethos but does not state a religious affiliation on its website.	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public pages; its materials present SCIE as a secular international college.
School day structure	School day structure According to the school FAQs, EYC pupils finish at about 15:00; Pre‑Prep and Upper School pupils finish at about 15:00 and then attend the Harrow Diploma Activities (HDA) programme, with the later day ending around 16:00. Boarding students follow a separate weekday routine with supervised study, activities and set lights‑out times.	School day structure Published staff timetables indicate a typical weekday start around 07:50 (with some earlier Monday starts) and lessons finishing mid‑ to late‑afternoon, followed by a one‑hour after‑school ECA slot (commonly 16:30–17:30). The campus provides a canteen for lunch.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a multi‑route student bus service covering many residential areas in Shenzhen; routes (with estimated pickup/drop times) are published and adjusted each term to meet demand. Buses carry an on‑board escort and parents are expected to have children ready at the scheduled stop times.	Bus service details The school website does not publish a dedicated school‑bus/provider timetable. For daily travel many families use public buses and the metro (nearby Fumin Station and Huanggang Park area are the closest public links cited by local guides). If you need a school‑run service, contact SCIE Admissions (info@scie.com.cn or the telephone number on the site) to confirm whether the college currently operates routes or recommends external providers.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Assessment fee and facility deposit - Assessment fee: non-refundable, non-transferable; RMB 3,000 per application. - Facility deposit: RMB 25,000; the school may use this deposit to offset amounts owed and refund is handled under the school's Terms and Conditions. Tuition fees (per year and per term — RMB) - Pre‑Nursery: Per year RMB 291,400. Term 1 RMB 116,560; Term 2 RMB 87,420; Term 3 RMB 87,420. - Nursery: Per year RMB 301,300. Term 1 RMB 120,520; Term 2 RMB 90,390; Term 3 RMB 90,390. - Reception: Per year RMB 301,300. Term 1 RMB 120,520; Term 2 RMB 90,390; Term 3 RMB 90,390. - Year 1: Per year RMB 342,100. Term 1 RMB 136,840; Term 2 RMB 102,630; Term 3 RMB 102,630. - Year 2: Per year RMB 342,100. Term 1 RMB 136,840; Term 2 RMB 102,630; Term 3 RMB 102,630. - Year 3: Per year RMB 342,100. Term 1 RMB 136,840; Term 2 RMB 102,630; Term 3 RMB 102,630. - Year 4: Per year RMB 342,100. Term 1 RMB 136,840; Term 2 RMB 102,630; Term 3 RMB 102,630. - Year 5: Per year RMB 346,800. Term 1 RMB 138,720; Term 2 RMB 104,040; Term 3 RMB 104,040. - Year 6: Per year RMB 346,800. Term 1 RMB 138,720; Term 2 RMB 104,040; Term 3 RMB 104,040. - Year 7: Per year RMB 356,800. Term 1 RMB 142,720; Term 2 RMB 107,040; Term 3 RMB 107,040. - Year 8: Per year RMB 356,800. Term 1 RMB 142,720; Term 2 RMB 107,040; Term 3 RMB 107,040. - Year 9: Per year RMB 360,300. Term 1 RMB 144,120; Term 2 RMB 108,090; Term 3 RMB 108,090. - Year 10: Per year RMB 360,300. Term 1 RMB 144,120; Term 2 RMB 108,090; Term 3 RMB 108,090. - Year 11: Per year RMB 360,300. Term 1 RMB 144,120; Term 2 RMB 108,090; Term 3 RMB 108,090. - Year 12: Per year RMB 360,300. Term 1 RMB 144,120; Term 2 RMB 108,090; Term 3 RMB 108,090. - Year 13: Per year RMB 360,300. Term 1 RMB 144,120; Term 2 RMB 108,090; Term 3 RMB 108,090. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school offers payment in two instalments: the first instalment covers Term 1 tuition and applicable fees; the second instalment covers Term 2 and Term 3 tuition and service charges. Specific billing dates and invoices are issued according to the school's billing cycle. Late or outstanding sums are managed through the school's finance processes. Boarding and other fees - Boarding: regular full‑boarding fee per academic year RMB 119,800. Flexi‑boarding nights are charged per booked night by prorating the annual boarding fee plus 20% administration charge; amounts are settled no later than the end of each term. - School bus: RMB 20,100 per school year (including tax). - Uniform: parents purchase uniforms (school specifies supplier). - Catering: charged on a consumption basis by vendor. - Additional potential costs: textbooks, examinations, some extra‑curricular activities, expeditions, and trips. Withdrawal and refunds - Notice: one full term's written notice delivered to the Head is required for withdrawal, unless the school's Terms and Conditions state otherwise. - Assessment fee is non‑refundable. Facility deposit refund and any other refunds are handled under the school's Terms and Conditions; the school may use the facility deposit to offset outstanding balances. Fee payment contacts and invoicing - Billing, invoicing and Fapiao are handled by the school Finance Department (accounts@harrowshenzhen.cn). The published fees page does not specify detailed payment channels (credit card, bank transfer) on the same page; the Finance Department can confirm permitted payment methods and required remittance details.	Fee details Application / registration fee - Registration (application) fee: RMB 600 (paid at time of registration). This registration fee is non‑refundable. Payment for registration is accepted online via WeChat Pay or Alipay. Tuition — annual amounts and scope - Standard academic stream (annual tuition): RMB 273,000 per academic year. This amount is stated as an annual fee and is described as covering the physical examination fee, campus insurance fee, and extracurricular activity fees; it does not include international examination fees, off‑campus trips or internships, or summer camps/programmes. - Arts/Music Academy (annual tuition): RMB 303,000 per academic year (scope noted as above). Per‑term / year‑group detail - The school publishes the annual tuition figures above. A public per‑term breakdown or different published rates by specific year group (G1, G2, A1, etc.) is not provided in the school's public admissions material; the published figures above are the stated annual charges. Boarding / accommodation fees - Room and board (annual): RMB 16,800 per academic year for boarding that excludes weekend stays, or RMB 19,800 per academic year for boarding that includes weekend stays. These are presented as the annual accommodation fees. Other costs and typical exclusions - International examination fees (e.g., Cambridge/A‑level/AP/other external exam fees) are not included in the annual tuition and are charged separately. Off‑campus trips, internships, and summer programmes are also excluded and billed separately. The school's published fee notes list these exclusions. - Specific line items such as uniform cost, daily meal top‑ups, transport (school bus) fees, and textbook charges are not published in the school's publicly posted admissions fee summary. Billing schedule, payment terms, refunds - The school's public admissions information specifies the registration fee payment at registration and annual tuition/accommodation amounts but does not publish a detailed public billing schedule or full payment‑term policy in the admissions summary. The registration/entrance exam fee is described as non‑refundable. No other specific refund terms are published in the same public admissions content. Fee payment options for items shown - Registration payment method: WeChat Pay or Alipay for the registration fee. The school's public admissions notices do not list a comprehensive set of payment methods for annual tuition in the posted admissions summary.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school operates boarding in two houses: The Park for boys and The Grove for girls. Flexi Boarding is open to Years 5–13, with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and bed availability. Boarders receive meals and structured activities: breakfast Monday–Friday 7:00–7:30, dinner Sunday–Thursday 18:00–18:30, and evening activities Monday–Thursday 19:45–21:00, plus prep and academic support 17:00–19:30 and snacks; pastoral care is provided by a dedicated boarding team.	Boarding arrangements Boarding houses provide modern, well-equipped dormitories with personal study areas and shared common rooms, supported by attentive dorm teachers and psychological counselors.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The Uniform Policy is strict; students wear the standard school uniform and Harrow Hat to and from school. Students arriving in non-uniform clothing may be sent home to change; contact the School Operations department at HIS@harrowshenzhen.cn for more information.	Uniform requirement The school uses a four-house system: Water, Metal, Wood, and Fire. Students wear house uniforms in color-coded designs.
Food options	Food options On-site canteens provide meals with healthy, well-balanced menus, and the menus accommodate dietary preferences. Boarding includes home-cooked style healthy meals with a diverse menu, catering to dietary preferences.	Food options A wide choice of meals and refreshments is available in the canteen and café.
House system	House system Harrow Shenzhen uses a six-house system: Deng Xiao Ping House (Green), Curie House (Purple), Lyon House (Orange), Attenborough House (Red), Song Qing Ling House (Yellow), and Churchill House (Blue). All students belong to one House. Lower School Houses compete in events such as sports and singing, with pastoral care provided by Class Teachers and Heads of Phase; Upper School Houses form tutor groups led by Housemasters/mistress(es) with support from the Assistant Head and Head of School. The House system fosters a small-school atmosphere and provides a clear link between school and home.	House system There are four houses (Water, Metal, Wood, Fire). House events include sports and non-sport activities, with weekly gatherings on Wednesday afternoons. A Student Leadership Body oversees the House division and related events.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of AISL Harrow Schools, a group of Harrow-branded international and bilingual schools in Asia. The AISL group preserves the Harrow heritage and values and coordinates relationships among Harrow schools and Harrow London.	Governance and ownership SCIE is affiliated with the Council of International Schools (CIS), FOBISIA, and ACT, and offers College Board–audited AP courses since 2016. SCIE has undergone accreditation with CIS and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Harrow Shenzhen operates a British-based programme for ages 2–18 divided into Early Years (2–5), Pre-Prep (Years 1–6), Prep (age 11–13), Senior (age 13–16) and Sixth Form (age 16–18). The Early Years follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach of the English National Curriculum. In Pre-Prep (Years 1–6) the school emphasises literacy, numeracy and broad exposure to specialist subjects (languages, music, PE, computing, art and design), while the Prep phase continues specialist teaching in core subjects including English, Mandarin, mathematics and science. The Senior School prepares students for international public examinations, with most students completing Cambridge/IGCSE courses typically taken in Year 11 across subjects such as English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, languages, arts and design/technology. In Sixth Form students follow a two‑year A‑Level programme (with many taking an Extended Project Qualification) aimed at university preparation; the school also sets subject-specific entry expectations for A‑Level choices.	Curriculum details SCIE operates a two-stage international curriculum: a two-year Cambridge IGCSE programme in G1–G2 (for roughly 14–16 year olds) followed by AS/A‑Level study in A1–A2 (aimed at 17–18 year olds). In G1–G2 all students take five core IGCSEs (Chemistry, Chinese, English Language, Mathematics and either Biology or Physics) plus three optional subjects, normally finishing with at least eight IGCSE qualifications after two years. A‑Level study is divided into AS (usually taken in A1) and A2 (A2) components; students typically choose four to five AS subjects and leave with three or four full A‑Levels (AS can also be taken as a standalone qualification). The college offers subjects across art, visual & performing, humanities and social sciences, mathematics and computer science, modern languages and sciences at IGCSE and AS/A‑Level levels, with subject pages and syllabuses provided on the site. Course-selection guidance, entry requirements and progression advice are available in SCIE's course-selection materials and student handbook.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Harrow Shenzhen describes pastoral care as a structured, school-wide system that uses homerooms in the Lower School and a vertical House system and close personal tutoring in the Upper School to ensure each student is known and supported by staff. The House system creates cross-age “family” units with Housemasters/mistresses and tutors who monitor academic progress and provide pastoral guidance. The school runs focused activities and campaigns (for example Fellowship Week and anti‑bullying initiatives) to promote inclusion, peer support and respectful behaviour. Small class sizes and boarding pastoral routines are cited as part of the personalised support network for students.	Social & emotional learning SCIE describes a structured pastoral programme in which most teachers act as Form Teachers who deliver a weekly PSHE lesson and mentor a cohort of roughly 14 students. Each year group is overseen by a Head of Year and the Pastoral Deputy Principal has overall responsibility for the pastoral team. The college says it takes a preventative approach to student welfare and identifies the form teacher as the first point of contact for students and parents. SCIE also runs a student-led Peer Support Division that provides peer tutoring, mentoring and a decompression space used during events such as Mental Health Week. Job and recruitment pages further describe mandatory pastoral/safeguarding CPD for staff and the form-tutor role.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Harrow Shenzhen lists staff with learning‑support and special‑education experience on its teacher pages (for example Krista Berry is listed as a Learning Support Teacher and Yaeliz Rabassa's bio notes a Master's in Special Education and prior Head of Inclusion roles). The school's admissions information asks parents of children with SEN to consult the school before applying and states explicitly that Harrow Shenzhen “does not have the facilities or faculty required to educate children with severe learning needs.” The website does not publish a dedicated Special Educational Needs policy or a comprehensive public list of specific conditions the school can support. Therefore, while the school employs staff with SEN experience and offers learning‑support provision, it is not presented as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) SCIE's staff listings include a named SENCO coordinator (Adam Romano), indicating a designated staff role for special educational needs coordination. The site also records that the school has previously had staff in Learning Support coordinator roles, showing historic learning-support provision in some faculties. The public website describes pastoral, counselling and medical services but does not set out a detailed list of the specific categories of SEN the college can support (for example specific learning difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, or physical disabilities). SCIE's website presents the college as a mainstream international sixth-form college and does not describe itself as a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Harrow Shenzhen presents an EAL provision on its site (including a subject video) and lists a dedicated EAL team and leaders — for example an Upper School Head of EAL and several Upper School EAL teachers in the staff directory. Early Years phonics provision (Read Write Inc.) is described on the site and is noted as supporting young learners for whom English is an additional language. The school's pages describe targeted EAL teaching and specialist EAL staff rather than stating a single uniform programme for all year groups. If you need details about levels of support, assessments or class‑by‑class provision the school publishes a subject video and staff list but does not provide a single, detailed public EAL policy on the website.	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provision on its website. Individual staff CVs note experience teaching EAL or holding EAL-coordinator roles elsewhere, but SCIE's public pages do not present a dedicated EAL programme or a named EAL coordinator. For specific details about English-language support the school's published contact information is available on its website.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school names a Director of Care, Guidance and Support (Zaynah Lyons) whose profile lists counselling and psychology qualifications and wellbeing specialisms, indicating a senior role for student mental‑health support. Pastoral care, the House system and boarding routines are described as contributing to students' social and emotional support, and some staff hold mental‑health first‑aid training. Harrow Shenzhen also runs parent workshops addressing topics such as bullying and positive parenting, which form part of its wider wellbeing provision. The school materials emphasise pastoral and boarding structures rather than a separate public‑facing mental‑health policy document.	Mental wellbeing SCIE operates a Wellbeing Centre and the Wellbeing Center page names two wellbeing counsellors (Maria Acosta and Joel Wang) and a school medic/health-and-safety officer. The Pastoral Care page states the wellbeing centre is staffed by two counsellors and supported by a medical team of nurses for day and residential students. The counsellors' profiles on the Wellbeing Centre page list relevant counselling and crisis-intervention qualifications. The school also describes peer-based programmes (peer mentoring and peer tutoring) and student-run wellbeing initiatives used in Mental Health Week. The website provides staff and programme descriptions rather than a standalone, detailed mental-health policy for public download.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Harrow Shenzhen states that safeguarding and child protection are central to school operations, with its policy aligned to UK legislation (the Children Acts 1989 and 2004) and international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The site names the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Zaynah Lyons, Director of Care, Guidance and Support) and lists deputies William Mitchell and Natalie Dirkze, and gives an email contact for concerns (safeguarding@harrowshenzhen.cn). The school says the full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available to parents via the Parent Portal. Visitor and campus safety guidance (photography, adult/child boundaries, ID badges) are published on the safeguarding page.	Safeguarding SCIE's Safeguarding page sets out child-protection requirements for applicants (including an ICPC or equivalent and phone contact with the applicant's current or most recent Head of School) as part of background checks. The page lists a Statement of Principles that references compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and international best practice while also noting the college will abide by PRC law. The college names specific safeguarding roles (Child Protection Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead) and states that all staff, including non-teaching staff, receive child-safeguarding training. The safeguarding statement emphasises staff have a mandatory duty to report suspicions of abuse and that student well‑being is the paramount concern in decision-making. Contact details for the college are published on the site for reporting or enquiries.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates as an international day and boarding school in Shenzhen, opened in October 2020. It has approximately 700 pupils from up to 20 countries and class sizes of 16–24. The campus spans about 14,700 square metres and provides facilities for Early Years through Sixth Form, including sports and leisure areas, a library, break-out spaces, canteens and lecture halls. Boarding is available.	Facilities overview SCIE is located at No. 3 Antuoshan 6th Rd., Futian District, Shenzhen 518048. In 2020, SCIE moved to a brand-new Antuo Hill Campus, which is about twice the size of the former ShuiWei Campus. The campus features cutting-edge teaching technologies and extensive supporting infrastructure. It hosts academic, arts, sports, and campus-life facilities to support learning and wellbeing. The campus sits on a large platform designed to support teaching and student life.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The campus includes sports facilities as part of its holistic learning environment, with spaces for physical education and recreation integrated into the daily timetable.	Sports facilities The main gymnasium houses basketball courts and can be configured for volleyball and handball. Outdoor facilities include basketball courts, a climbing wall, and a pickleball court. A football pitch, student and staff gyms, a table tennis room, and an elevated running track complete the facilities. These spaces support athletic development, teamwork, and a balanced student lifestyle.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities There are comprehensive academic facilities across the school, including libraries and breakout spaces to support learning from Early Years to Sixth Form.	Academic facilities SCIE's academic facilities include specialized classrooms for Humanities, Mathematics, Languages, Economics and Computer Science, plus state-of-the-art laboratories for Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. A well-equipped library offers books, magazines, computers and self-service equipment, while tutorial rooms and open garden study areas provide flexible spaces for focused and collaborative learning. These facilities empower academic achievement and independent inquiry.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment and service activities are part of the Harrow education, anchored by Harrow values such as Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship.	Extra curricular facilities Boarding houses provide modern dormitories with personal study areas and shared common rooms, supported by dorm teachers and psychological counselors. The Hill Canteen and Ann Cafe offer meal options, and landscaped garden areas surround the campus to support social and recreational activities. SCIE also features a range of ECAs and a House System, with opportunities for student leadership through prefect and student leadership programs. The arts spaces include a professional theater, a lecture hall, art classrooms, drama studios, dance and music rooms, and piano practice rooms to support arts-related ECAs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Harrow International School Shenzhen opened in 2020 as part of the AISL Harrow Schools network. It is operated by Asia International School Limited (AISL) and uses Harrow School's name and badge under a sub-licence from Harrow International Schools Limited. The campus was established to extend Harrow's traditions and values into the region and to participate in the group's regional programmes and events. The school's development has been carried out within the AISL governance and partnership framework since its founding.	History SCIE was founded in 2003 with approval from the Shenzhen Education Bureau and early authorization to deliver Cambridge international examinations; within two years it established its first permanent Futian campus and began sending graduates to top universities. Over the following decade the college expanded its programmes and extracurricular offer, with student clubs growing to over 100 and international memberships and accreditations achieved (CIS, FOBISIA and Cambridge partnerships). In 2020 SCIE opened its purpose-built Antuoshan campus and continued to develop its academic and arts provision, later adding the SCIE Arts Academy. The school gained WASC accreditation in 2021 and cites ongoing accreditation and review processes as part of its governance and quality-assurance work.
Community	Community The Harrow Shenzhen community is active and event-driven: annual traditions such as the Long Ducker charity run bring together students, parents, staff and local participants (recent editions drew close to 1,000 participants). The school also takes part in AISL-wide academic and cultural exchanges, for example the Huasheng Cup Chinese–English debate tournament that involves multiple Harrow campuses. Parents and staff collaborate on seasonal and cultural events (including Christmas and Teacher's Day activities) and the school runs regular open events and community gatherings for families.	Community SCIE presents an active, calendar-driven community with a long list of annual events — Week Zero and Year‑start ceremonies, House competitions (e.g. tug‑of‑war), G1 camping, SCIE Got Talent, Halloween and Christmas concerts, Chinese New Year performances, Charity Week, Food Fair and Graduation Day — that involve students across grades. The college highlights more than 100 student clubs and a structured House system to support teamwork, leadership and extracurricular engagement. Parents, staff and alumni regularly participate in community activities such as the Charity Food Fair and Alumni Day, and the school's reporting emphasizes student leadership and service-learning as core elements of campus life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Harrow Shenzhen's parent organisation is called Friends of Harrow (FoH). FoH describes itself as a bridge for home–school communication and support: representatives work with school leaders, welcome new families, and coordinate parent volunteers. At Harrow Shenzhen FoH parents have supported school events such as the Long Ducker and seasonal performances, and have formed parent groups (a dance group and a choir) that perform alongside students and staff. FoH members also run activities intended to support staff (for example Teacher's Day acknowledgements), deliver parent-led talks or leadership/service sessions, and help organise fundraising and charity initiatives. The school has published FoH leadership names and committee announcements and FoH has been visibly involved in major social events such as the school's community Gala Ball.	Parent teacher association SCIE's public website does not show a dedicated, named Parent‑Teacher Association page; instead parental engagement is visible through parent representatives, volunteer roles and parent contributions to major events. Parents are explicitly represented at graduations and ceremonial occasions (for example, class parent speeches are published on the school site), and parents commonly help organise and staff community events such as the annual Charity Food Fair where parents, students and staff run international food stalls and raise funds for charity. The school also reports that parents took part in accreditation and review activities (speaking with visiting teams during CIS/WASC reviews), indicating formal opportunities for parental input in whole‑school reviews. In practice parental involvement appears to be channelled through event volunteering, parent representatives for cohorts, and ad‑hoc committees around charity, food fairs and similar community activities rather than a single public PTA structure. If you would like, I can contact the school's admissions or communications office (email listed on the site) to request clarification about any formal PTA committee or membership process.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Harrow Shenzhen offers Harrow Diploma Activities (HDA), an after-school program running from 3pm to 4pm daily, with over 210 activities. The program provides academic enrichment through the Super-Curriculum and includes leadership and service opportunities. The HDA features the LSA programme (student-led activities), leadership and service expeditions, the Shaftesbury Enterprise charity committee, community and service projects, the JASS Junior Achievement Award, the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, house competitions, and student leadership roles.	Academic & intellectual The school runs more than 250 active ECAs across 13 subcategories, organized under three main categories: academic, social, and sports. An ECA Fair is held at the start of every semester to introduce clubs and answer inquiries. An ECA club can be started by a teacher or by a student with a teacher sponsor, and students select clubs that fit their interests with supervision from a teacher.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Over 210 activities cover the performing, visual, and musical arts, as well as debate and public speaking, STEM, and the humanities and social sciences. Arts opportunities include music ensembles and theatre-related activities, integrated with the broader HDA. The programme supports creative work across visual and performing arts and public speaking.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Expedition Week fosters cross-cultural communication and global perspectives through service and cultural immersion activities. The school also hosts debates and public-speaking events as part of its co-curricular offerings.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies House competitions and events form a core part of the activities programme, encouraging teamwork and social engagement. A wide range of clubs and interest-based activities are available through Harrow Diploma Activities.	Social & hobbies Clubs cover social activities and hobbies within three main categories: academic, social, and sports, which are divided into 13 subcategories with over 250 active clubs. Most clubs operate with the support of a supervising teacher. An ECA Fair is held at the beginning of each semester to introduce clubs and engage interested students.
Community & service	Community & service The activities programme includes the Shaftesbury Enterprise (Charity Committee), community and service projects, and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, alongside other service-oriented opportunities.	Community & service ECAs cultivate students' sense of social responsibility and offer opportunities for community and service initiatives. An ECA Fair introduces clubs, and clubs can be started by a teacher or by a student with a teacher sponsor.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Students participate in leadership roles through the Student Council and House Leaders, as well as the LSA framework and leadership expeditions. The programme emphasizes developing transferable leadership and service skills.	Leadership & professional The ECA program emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and initiative. Students can initiate clubs with a teacher sponsor, and most clubs operate under teacher supervision. An ECA Fair showcases clubs at the start of each semester.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports and fitness are integral to the holistic approach, with facilities including an outdoor running track, a 7-a-side football pitch, an indoor sports hall, two fitness areas, a dance studio, a golf simulator, table tennis, a rooftop basketball court, and a 25-meter heated swimming pool. PE and sport are actively offered to nurture lifelong fitness and well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports clubs are a major component of ECAs, providing opportunities for physical activity and teamwork. The Extracurricular Activities Division oversees activities to enrich student life beyond academics, with supervision from teachers guiding club participation.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The Early Years Centre adopts the EYFS of the English National Curriculum. Prep Phase includes English and Mandarin as core subjects. Senior Phase includes Languages as a subject. English language acquisition is supported for students whose first language is not English, with an additive approach that uses Mandarin to support English, and the schools are not English-only environments.	Language provision SCIE targets mastery of English to a First Language level. English is a vital means of communication in school. Chinese (IG), Japanese (IG), and Spanish (IG)(A) are offered as language subjects; French is offered at AS/AL. In the IGCSE program, English Language and Chinese are core subjects.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Mandarin is used to support English language learning. In Prep Phase, English and Mandarin are core subjects. An additive language approach strengthens Mandarin to support English learning. AISL Harrow Schools are not English-only environments, and immersive experiences in English and Mandarin are provided.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Immersive experiences in L1 and L2 are provided. Native Mandarin speakers scaffold learning and connect L1 concepts with L2 learning. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is implemented as a whole-school approach to promote English across the curriculum. A language-rich environment supports language development and classroom practice.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Harrow Shenzhen — School-level awards listed on the school website (past five years; school-level only) - Forbes China International School — Top 100 (2025): inclusion in Forbes China's 2025 list of top international schools (ranked among the country's top 100 international schools). This is a school-level recognition appearing on the school's honours page. - Kinglead China International School rankings (2025): multiple Kinglead rankings shown on the school site — Innovative Competitiveness (Top 9), Research Characteristics (Top 100), Leadership Characteristics (Top 10), and Mathematical Characteristics (Top 10). These are published ranking placements for the school. - Forbes China — Foreign Passport School (Shenzhen) 2024 — Top 4: ranked by Forbes China among Shenzhen schools in the foreign-passport school category (school-level placement reported on the site). - China Schools Awards 2023 — New School Award Finalist: the school is listed on the site as a finalist in the China Schools Awards 2023 New School category (finalist status is an institutional recognition). - Forbes China Outstanding International Schools Awards / 2021 recognition: Harrow Shenzhen's 2021 Forbes China recognition and placement (No.21 in China, 2nd in Shenzhen) is recorded on the school website as an early external ranking/award the school received. - AISL Harrow Chinese Debate Championship — Best Organization Award (Dec 2024): the school's event/participation page records Harrow Shenzhen winning the Best Organization Award at the AISL Harrow Chinese Debate Championship (an award given to the school for organisational contribution). Notes and scope limits - All items above are taken from Harrow Shenzhen's own website pages and news/honours listings; I have included only awards and recognitions that the school (not individual students or individual teachers) is shown as receiving. Where the site lists teacher awards or student competition results, those have been excluded as requested. The primary sources used are the school's accreditations announcement and the Honours/Awards pages.	Awards (Only school-level awards and rankings shown on SCIE's website are listed below; student awards such as Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards or competition medals are excluded.) • Ranked 2nd in the 2021 "China Top 100 International Schools" (XINHUANET / INSIGHT report) — SCIE's website records that the school placed second in the 2021 national Top‑100 listing; the report's methodology emphasised university admissions and other indicators of school performance. (Posted 9 December 2021 on SCIE site.) • Hurun Education Top International Schools in China 2022 — SCIE's site records that Hurun Education's 2022 ranking placed SCIE 2nd in China and 1st in Shenzhen; the same Hurun release also placed SCIE in the Top‑10 list for best school campuses in 2022. (Posted June 2022 on SCIE site.) • KingLead / China International School Top‑100 / Brand‑Value rankings (2022) — SCIE's site shows the school ranked in the top positions in KingLead's 2022 China International School Top‑100 listings (SCIE reported as Top‑2). (Posted January 2022 on SCIE site.) • KingLead China International School Brand Value Top 100 (2023) — SCIE's site records the KingLead 2023 brand‑value listing (published 30 January 2023) in which SCIE is again presented among the top ranked schools in that Top‑100 brand evaluation. Note: these items are taken directly from SCIE's public news/affiliations pages. If you'd like, I can (a) check for any additional school‑level recognitions on other public sources, or (b) extract the exact quoted wording and publication dates from each SCIE news page for recordkeeping.
Accreditations	Accreditations Harrow Shenzhen — Accreditations (as stated on the school website) - HMC (The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference): membership of an association of leading UK independent schools; signifies recognition by a body associated with long-established independent-school standards and peer review. - FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia): regional membership for British-style international schools in Asia; indicates peer recognition, access to FOBISIA events and external review. - TASS (The Alliance for Sustainable Schools): membership in a network focussing on sustainability in schools; shows the school has engaged with externally-recognised sustainability standards and practices. - ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools): regional association for international schools in China and Mongolia; provides inter-school activities, benchmarking and professional exchanges. - Cambridge International Examination Centre (CAIE) accreditation: officially authorised to deliver Cambridge IGCSE and related Cambridge programmes and examinations on site. - Pearson Edexcel Examination Centre accreditation: authorised as a Pearson Edexcel exam centre to offer International GCSE (IGCSE) and International Advanced Level (IAL) qualifications. - UCAS registration centre: registered with the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, enabling direct access to UCAS processes and support for UK university applications. - College Board & Common Application recognition: the school is registered with the College Board and supports applications via the Common App platform for US university admissions. - SAT examination centre accreditation: authorised to operate SAT test sessions on campus, allowing students to sit the SAT at the school. - LAMDA examination centre/recognition: authorised to offer LAMDA (speech, drama and communication) graded assessments on site. - Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) licensed organisation: licensed to run the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme, allowing students to participate in DofE awards through the school. - Member of the AISL Harrow family / part of Asia International School Limited (AISL): the school is part of the AISL group that operates Harrow-branded schools in Asia, which provides network support and shared governance.	Accreditations • Council of International Schools (CIS) — SCIE is a CIS member school and has undergone CIS accreditation / re-accreditation; CIS carries out a whole-school self-study and international peer review process and is widely used as a benchmark of international-school quality and continuous improvement. • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SCIE received full accreditation from WASC (Accrediting Commission for Schools) in 2021; WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting body whose school accreditation signals that a school meets defined standards for governance, curriculum and student learning. • Cambridge International, Edexcel and Oxford AQA (exam centre status) — SCIE is a registered centre for these international examination boards, which lets students sit IGCSE and A‑level examinations on campus and receive qualifications recognised by universities around the world. (This is the school's recognised examination‑centre status rather than an external school‑accreditation process.) • The College Board (member school qualification / AP) — SCIE is a College Board member school and offers College Board‑audited AP courses; membership provides access to College Board resources and allows the school to deliver AP coursework and exams. • UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) — SCIE is a registered UCAS member school, which the school notes gives its graduates the same rights as UK sixth‑form applicants when applying to UK higher‑education institutions. • ACT (registered test centre) — SCIE is a registered ACT testing centre, enabling students to take the ACT on campus; ACT scores are used by US colleges and many international universities. • FOBISIA (member) — SCIE is a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia; FOBISIA membership indicates participation in a regional network that holds member schools to entry/inspection standards and organises events and professional development. • EARCOS (member) — SCIE is a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools, a regional association that supports cooperation, professional development and best practice among member schools in East Asia.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Harrow Shenzhen will only consider applications if there is space in the requested year group, so parents should confirm availability rather than assume an open place. The school publishes citizenship/residency eligibility rules (foreign passport or HK/Macau/Taiwan ID; for Chinese-passport holders at least one parent must have worked in Qianhai for more than 90 consecutive days and meet specified criteria). 2. Complete the online application and prepare documents: Complete the school's application form (the site links to the online application portal) and assemble required documents such as passports/ID, recent school reports or transcripts, and any certificate of residency/work in Qianhai for Chinese passport families. Parents should note an assessment fee is charged per application (see step 4) and that incomplete applications can delay assessment scheduling. If your child has additional learning needs, the school asks parents to consult Admissions first because the school is not resourced for severe learning needs. 3. Assessment fee and booking: For applicants invited to assessment, Harrow Shenzhen requires payment of an application/assessment fee (the site lists RMB 3,000 for assessments/applications in recent notices). Families should be ready to pay this promptly to confirm a scheduled assessment; any differing fees for specific entry years will be set out by Admissions at invitation. Payment methods are restricted (the school states all fees must be paid by bank remittance; cash is not accepted). 4. Assessment and interview: Once the application and documents are received, the school aims to schedule assessments and interviews within two weeks. Assessment format varies by year group: Pre-Nursery has a parent interview only, Nursery–Year 1 include student observation and parent interview, and Year 2+ include a computer-based assessment, student observation/interview and a parent interview — check the year-by-year table on the Admissions page for exact requirements. Families should prepare appropriate past-school reports, any standardized test results, and (for older applicants) evidence of curricular interests or portfolios where relevant. 5. Admissions outcome and timeframes: The school states that results are usually issued within one week of assessment and interview, though some cases may take longer; Admissions will notify families of the outcome and next steps. If offered a place, parents are required to sign confirmation documents and pay the facility deposit within five working days of the offer or the place may be offered to another applicant. Keep this deadline in mind when planning travel or overseas moves — a delayed response risks losing the offered place. 6. Deposit, fees and billing structure: The published fees page shows a non-refundable facility deposit (listed as RMB 25,000) and gives the tuition schedule for the 2025/26 academic year (tuition ranges by year group; for example, Pre‑Nursery and Reception figures are shown separately from Years 1–13). Harrow Shenzhen offers payment cycles and instalment options (for 2025/26 the school allows two instalments covering Term 1 and then Terms 2+3); confirm the current year's billing schedule with Finance. Additional identifiable charges include school bus, boarding and catering — the fees page lists the school bus and boarding annual charges and notes some charges (textbooks, trips, certain activities) are charged separately. 7. Siblings, discounts and other practicalities: The fees page lists sibling discounts (no discount for second child; 5% for third child, 10% for fourth, 15% for fifth+ when children attend concurrently) — check the exact conditions with Finance. Uniforms are purchased separately through appointed suppliers and the school requires a signed bus agreement before using bus services; boarding uses a separate billing arrangement and flexi-boarding is charged per night. Make arrangements early for bus routes, uniform orders and any boarding requirements to avoid delays at enrolment. 8. Final enrolment and records: After deposit/payment and returned confirmation paperwork, the school completes enrolment and will provide billing/invoice (fapiao) information through the Finance Department. If you later decide to withdraw, the published Terms and Conditions require a term's written notice to the Head; follow the school's specified notice and delivery methods. Keep copies of all bank remittances and the signed confirmation documents for your records. 9. When to contact Admissions: If you need to check vacancies, request special arrangements, or confirm assessment requirements for a particular year group or entry month (for example, Year 10/Year 12 subject-selection deadlines are published for specific intake cycles), contact the Admissions team directly — they run campus tours/Open Days and can add you to event registration or the WeChat admissions channel. The Admissions page lists the email and phone number for direct queries.	Admissions 1. Check eligibility and timelines. Before you apply, confirm which Grade Group you are targeting (G1/IGCSE Year 1 or A1/AS Level) and check SCIE's published quotas and age limits (for example, G1 applicants must be born after January 1, 2009; A1 applicants must be born after January 1, 2007). Parents should note registration opening dates (registration for 2025 opened Jan 6, 2025) and that places are limited; the school states registration runs “until full.” 2. Prepare documents and digital materials for registration. SCIE requires a government-issued ID (mainland ID card, Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macau/Taiwan residents, or passport for foreign students) and a passport-style electronic photo for upload; parents should have scanned copies ready before starting the online application. The admissions pages also point to specialist streams (Arts/Music) that require additional materials (portfolios or performance recordings) if applying to the Arts Academy. 3. Register online and pay the registration fee. Registration is completed through the SCIE application platform or by following the school's official WeChat account; the published registration fee for 2025 was RMB 600 (non‑refundable) and payment is made online (WeChat/Alipay). Parents should double-check the exact fee and accepted payment methods at the time they apply because the school notes registrations close when seats are full. 4. Prepare for the written entrance examination (subjects and format). For the regular stream the written test in 2025 included English and Mathematics (example dates listed: March 16 and June 1, 2025); the school runs two rounds and candidates unsuccessful in the first round can reapply for the second. Parents should check the published test format (offline/online), bring the ID used at registration on test day, and follow any test‑day instructions released by the school (the school posts software/monitoring requirements and a candidate instruction page when online testing applies). 5. Specialist (Arts/Music) application steps, if relevant. Applicants to the Arts Academy follow an additional specialist process: there is a prescreening of submitted portfolios/recordings, a specialist audition or practical test (music performance or art drawing/painting tasks), and then the standard English written test; prescreening and audition dates are published separately. Parents of specialist applicants should confirm the portfolio/video formatting instructions, any minimum competency requirements (for example, music applicants are asked to demonstrate certain grade/level equivalence), and whether a prescreen outcome automatically transfers candidates into the regular stream if they do not meet specialist requirements. 6. Shortlist and interview scheduling. Candidates who are shortlisted after the written examination are assigned an interview appointment; SCIE typically schedules interviews within 1–2 weeks after the written exam and will notify candidates via the applicant portal, official WeChat, or the website. Parents should monitor the school's communication channels closely (the site and WeChat are used to announce results and interview times) and ensure contact details in the application are current. 7. Results, offers and next steps. Admission results are posted on SCIE's official WeChat account and the school website; the admissions notices specify exact release dates for each round and for specialist streams. If an offer is made, families should read the offer letter carefully for any stated deadlines and fee/registration instructions, and be prepared that tuition does not include some costs (for example, international exam fees and off‑campus trips). 8. Fees, accommodation and other costs to plan for. Published 2025–2026 figures list annual tuition (regular stream) at RMB 273,000, Arts Academy tuition at RMB 303,000, and boarding costs of RMB 16,800 (excluding weekends) or RMB 19,800 (including weekends); these published figures also note they exclude international examination fees, field trips, internships and some summer programs. Parents should budget for examination fees (e.g., CAIE/Edexcel/AP/IB/ACT/SAT where applicable), school trips, uniforms, and any additional services (guardianship, airport transfers), and confirm the current year's fees with the Admissions or Finance Office before accepting an offer. 9. If you don't get a place right away. Because SCIE runs multiple rounds of exams and registration is stated to run until full, unsuccessful candidates may register for a later round if one is offered; check the admissions calendar and registration closing notes for each year. If you are considering other options, keep copies of transcripts and test scores ready to speed new applications elsewhere and contact SCIE's Admissions Office for clarification about future recruitment rounds.
Scholarships	Scholarships Harrow Shenzhen operates a Scholarship Programme and also offers means‑tested bursaries; information and application details are published on the school site. Merit-based scholarships are offered in categories such as Academic Excellence, Sports, Music and Drama; the merit scheme is described as providing targeted curricular enrichment and support rather than direct financial discounts for all merit awards (the school distinguishes merit support from full-cost scholarships). The scholarship application process requires a completed application form, supporting documents (transcripts, test scores, references, portfolios where appropriate), a personal statement (the school's guidance indicates 500–700 words for merit applications), and shortlisted candidates are invited to interview with the scholarship committee. In addition, AISL Harrow Scholarships (for example, the Y2025–27 Harrow scholarship round) have been run at Harrow Shenzhen/AISL Harrow and in at least one cycle included full scholarships covering tuition, boarding and examination fees for the two‑year A‑Level programme; check current availability, deadlines and selection criteria for the year you are applying. For means‑tested support, the school's bursary information indicates that all students may apply and that bursaries are intended to ensure talented students can attend irrespective of parental income. For precise application forms, deadlines and contact points (scholarship enquiries list a contact such as Angela Tai and the Scholarship page provides form downloads), contact the Admissions or Scholarship office and download the school's scholarship brochure from the admissions pages.	Scholarships SCIE's official admissions and programme pages (as published in the school's 2025 admissions materials) do not advertise a general scholarship or means‑tested financial aid programme for incoming students on the public site. The published pages focus on application steps, exam schedules, and fee schedules (tuition and boarding) without describing entrance scholarships or ongoing bursaries. Because some schools operate internal or case‑by‑case support (or may offer occasional merit awards), if you are seeking fee assistance or scholarship possibilities you should contact SCIE's Admissions or Finance Office directly to ask whether any scholarships, fee reductions, or limited awards are available in the year you intend to apply; the Admissions contact information and instructions are provided on the school's admissions page.
Waitlist	Waitlist Harrow Shenzhen's public admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list policy or a named ‘waiting list' procedure; instead the site emphasises that applications will only be considered where places are available and asks families to contact Admissions to check vacancies. Because the school does not publish a standard waiting‑list mechanism, parents who are willing to be held for a future vacancy should contact admissions@harrowshenzhen.cn to ask whether the school can retain their application or place them in any internal pool when no immediate place exists. If you need a formal waiting‑list placement or a position number for local administrative purposes, request explicit confirmation in writing from Admissions so you have a dated record of any agreement.	Waitlist SCIE's publicly posted admissions materials do not describe a formal, named waitlist or “holding‑pool” process; instead, the school runs at least two rounds of entrance examinations each intake year and states that registration is open until capacity is reached. The admissions notices advise that test seats are limited and that registration may close when full, which suggests the school manages demand by additional exam rounds or re‑opening registration rather than by publishing a standing waitlist for offered places. If you need a definitive answer about whether the school keeps a waiting list for a particular year or grade, contact the Admissions Office directly (the school publishes contact details on its Admissions page).
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