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Harrow International School Shanghai

China, Shanghai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 273,800 - 385,300
Ages 1½ - 18 years
Pupil numbers 450
Type Co-educational
Opened 2016
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish, English
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Harrow International School Shanghai opened in 2016 and is located on Gaoxi Road in the Pudong district of Shanghai. The school website states it educates pupils from 18 months to 18 years and follows a Harrow curriculum rooted in the English National Curriculum, preparing students for IGCSE and A Level examinations; the site also notes the school has launched AP courses and a U.S. university pathway. The school lists an optional school-bus service, a full extra‑curricular programme (including sport, performing arts and leadership/service opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award), and that its Mandarin programme is compulsory through Year 9 with different pathways at IGCSE and A Level. Where the website does not give a specific figure (for example typical class size), the entry reflects that omission rather than an assumption.

The Essentials

Harrow International School Shanghai has 450 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uniform Requirement
Uniform includes a dark blue blazer (Bluer) and grey trousers (Greyers); a Harrow hat is worn as part of the uniform.

House System
The school has a House System divided into four Houses, with a House and tutor system that supports academic progress and inter-house competitions.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by Asia International School Limited; the Chair of Governors is Dr Rosanna Wong.
Fees

Annual tuition at Harrow International School Shanghai ranges from RMB 273,800 to RMB 385,300 for 2026/27.

Application fee
- A non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of RMB 3,000 is charged for each application.

Resources fee
- A refundable Resources Fee of RMB 25,000 is payable after acceptance and is held by the school for the duration of the pupil's enrolment. It is non‑interest bearing and will be refunded in RMB when the pupil leaves, subject to deduction against any outstanding sums or costs (for example outstanding tuition, exchange losses, charges for academic materials, transport, lost or unreturned books/equipment, courier fees).

Tuition fees (per year group) — amounts shown as Annual / Autumn term / Spring term / Summer term
- Cubs & Pre‑Nursery: RMB 273,800 / RMB 113,480 / RMB 85,110 / RMB 85,110.
- Nursery & Reception: RMB 282,400 / RMB 117,040 / RMB 87,780 / RMB 87,780.
- Year 1 – Year 5: RMB 328,600 / RMB 136,200 / RMB 102,150 / RMB 102,150.
- Year 6: RMB 335,500 / RMB 139,070 / RMB 104,300 / RMB 104,300.
- Year 7 – Year 9: RMB 358,500 / RMB 148,590 / RMB 111,450 / RMB 111,450.
- Year 10: RMB 384,800 / RMB 159,500 / RMB 119,620 / RMB 119,620.
- Year 11: RMB 384,800 / RMB 159,500 / RMB 119,620 / RMB 119,620.
- Year 12: RMB 385,300 / RMB 159,710 / RMB 119,790 / RMB 119,790.
- Year 13: RMB 385,300 (no termly payment option).
- Annual payment is available only where the full annual tuition is prepaid by the school's specified prepayment date.

Sibling discount
- 2nd child: N/A; 3rd child: 5%; 4th child: 10%; 5th and subsequent child: 15%.

Transport and catering
- School bus (optional, within 30 km): RMB 22,670 per year or RMB 9,070 (Autumn) / RMB 6,800 (Spring) / RMB 6,800 (Summer). Lunch: RMB 8,100 per year (approx RMB 45 per day for lunch + two snacks). Catering provided by Sodexo; payment may be annual, termly or via top‑ups.

Boarding
- No boarding fees are listed (the school does not list a boarding provision or boarding charges on its fees page).

Billing schedule, payment terms and methods
- Payment may be made by bank transfer (RMB or USD) or by cash in RMB. For bank transfers, provide a copy of the remittance with pupil name and year group to the finance office. The school uses the official Bank of China middle rate for foreign‑currency transfers; any shortfall must be covered on demand or carried forward to the next invoice. Bank account details (RMB account) are provided by the school for payments.

Late payment, withdrawal and refunds
- Late payment: administration charge of RMB 2,500 plus interest at 1.5% per month on overdue balances; all administration and legal costs for recovery are payable by the parent/guardian. Withdrawal requires one term's written notice or a term's fees in lieu of notice. On timely withdrawal, the Resources Fee and any surplus funds will be refunded after outstanding amounts are settled and required documentation is returned. The school publishes a withdrawal/refund schedule with notification cut‑offs that determine termly tuition and bus refunds. Refunds of tuition are made after return of the Official Tax Receipt (Fapiao); refund of the Resources Fee requires an approved leaver form.
Academics

Harrow International School Shanghai teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 1.5 to 18.

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

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

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

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

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

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

History
Harrow International School Shanghai opened in 2016 as part of the Harrow family of schools and is presented on the school website as one of the Harrow campuses established during the group's expansion in Asia. The school links its identity and traditions to Harrow School in the UK and to the wider AISL/AISL Harrow network that manages Harrow-branded schools in the region. Harrow Shanghai's founding and placement within the Harrow network are described on the school's history and main pages. The school's contact and corporate details reference Asia International School Limited as the regional principal/administrative address.

Community
The school describes a close-knit community of around 500 pupils from roughly 350 families, many with Chinese cultural heritage, and notes that families are active and supportive participants in school life. Harrow Shanghai runs regular cultural and community events that include seasonal festivals, performances and fairs which engage parents, grandparents and extended family. Several news posts on the site document large community gatherings such as Chinese New Year celebrations and other school-wide fairs.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent involvement at Harrow Shanghai is channelled through the school's parent/staff community (referred to in event posts as Friends of Harrow). Parents and staff have organised and supported major events such as the Harrow Ball (used as a community social event and charity fundraiser — the inaugural ball page records RMB 135,200 raised for the WILL Foundation) and have performed and contributed at later balls and community evenings. Parent groups are also shown collaborating on cultural events (for example Chinese New Year fairs), student-led fairs and the school's ECA/activities expos, where parents help run stalls, food booths and performances. The school's news pages describe these activities and the fundraising/volunteering roles parents commonly take at Harrow Shanghai.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a purpose-built campus in Waigaoqiao, Pudong. The Early Years area is in its own wing with dedicated play spaces. Upper School facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, science laboratories, ICT suites and art studios. The sports complex features a double-sized indoor sports hall for eight sports, a rooftop running track, a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym and floodlit football and rugby pitches. The school has a modern music and drama complex with practice rooms, a Black Box and a lecture theatre, and the Simon Armitage Library occupies two levels with a multi-media centre.

Sports Facilities
The school has a double-sized indoor sports hall that accommodates eight sports. It has a rooftop running track, a multi-purpose playground, a 25-metre swimming pool and a gym. Floodlit football and rugby pitches are available on site. Nearby facilities include additional pitches and water sports such as rowing, dinghy-sailing and dragon boats, as well as tennis and golf.

Academic Facilities
The school has state-of-the-art classrooms, science laboratories, ICT suites and art studios. The Early Years area has its own wing with dedicated spaces suitable for younger learners. The Simon Armitage Library spans two levels and includes a multi-media centre to support reading, research and independent study. The campus is equipped with an air filtration system and air conditioning designed to maintain good air quality for occupants.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school has a modern music and drama complex with practice rooms, a Black Box and a lecture theatre, supporting performing arts. There are abundant play areas across the campus for informal activities. The Simon Armitage Library provides spaces for independent study and collaborative work through a two-level facility and a multi-media centre. Nearby facilities include additional pitches and water sports opportunities such as rowing, dinghy-sailing and dragon boats, along with tennis and golf in the surrounding area.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school serves pupils aged 18 months to 18 years. The school is located at No. 588 Gaoxi Road, Pudong, Shanghai, China 200137. It was founded in 2016 as part of the Harrow family of schools.

Cultural & Language
The Harrow Curriculum is rooted in the English National Curriculum and includes two strands: an examined curriculum focused on IGCSE and A Levels, and a non-examined component.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction and provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; CLIL is used to support language development. The school teaches Mandarin as a core language from Pre-Nursery through Year 9; from Year 10 Mandarin is an elective with IGCSE First Language pathway for native speakers, Second Language for intermediate students, and Mandarin Foreign Language for non-native speakers; AS and A-Level Chinese are taught in Years 12-13. The Harrow Curriculum is rooted in the English National Curriculum and includes an international dimension; it prepares students for IGCSE and A Level examinations and includes non-examined learning. Admissions use the Cambridge Placement Test to establish a baseline language ability, alongside a Global Scale of English (GSE) assessment; English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided as needed.
Reputation

Awards
1) British Schools Overseas (BSO) status (awarded via ISI inspection, April 2024) — the school's published BSO inspection results note Harrow Shanghai became one of the first mainland China schools inspected by ISI and awarded BSO status; this is a formal external recognition of the school meeting UK-based standards.

2) Other school-level awards (2021–2025)

Accreditations
1) British Schools Overseas (BSO) status — Harrow Shanghai's BSO inspection report (April 2024) is published on the school website; BSO status is the UK government-recognised framework for inspecting British schools overseas and indicates the school met standards comparable to UK independent schools as judged by an approved inspectorate.

2) Inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) — the school states it was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate as part of the BSO process; ISI is an approved UK inspectorate that carries out BSO inspections and provides the external judgement on standards.

3) Registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) — the Senior School page notes Harrow Shanghai is registered with CAIE; this registration allows the school to enter pupils for CAIE IGCSE/A-level (or CAIE) qualifications and follow CAIE syllabuses.

4) Registered with Pearson / Edexcel — the Senior School page records registration with Pearson/Edexcel; this permits the school to offer Pearson/Edexcel qualifications and enter pupils for those examinations.

5) Registered with AQA — the Senior School page records registration with AQA; this enables the school to deliver and enter pupils for AQA qualifications where appropriate.

6) Duke of Edinburgh's International Award centre (school-delivered programme) — the school's Duke of Edinburgh page states Harrow Shanghai delivers the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award; being an authorised centre means the school can register and support pupils through the internationally recognised youth development award.
Admissions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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