Organisation of the School
Harrow International School is organised into the Primary School, Preparatory School and the Secondary School which together share the Don Muang campus. The age of children attending the school ranges from 3+ months in the Crèche to 18+ years in Year 13, the graduating year group of the school. The Heads of Primary, Preparatory and Secondary are supported by middle management teams, class teachers/tutors and specialist staff, and report to the Head Master while having considerable autonomy for their respective areas.
To ensure consistency and a gradual transition from the homeroom based approach of Primary to the subject specialisation of Secondary, the Preparatory School has been established, in a dedicated area on the campus, for Year 6 and Year 7 students.
The curriculum, physical organization and facilities are appropriate to the needs of the children and allow for progression between each stage. The extensive facilities include science and IT laboratories, art, music and drama studios, sports hall, 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, extensive playing fields and an air-conditioned canteen.
The Curriculum
At Harrow International School students are challenged to achieve the highest academic standards appropriate to his or her potential. The curriculum is broad and balanced and ensures that children have the skills and knowledge to develop as young learners seeking identity, belonging and purpose.
In the Early Years the curriculum is based on the UK “Birth to Three months” and the Foundation Stage programmes (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten 1 and 2 respectively). The Foundation Stage curriculum is not taught through specific subjects but is divided into six broad learning areas including Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy and Mathematical Development.
In Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (Year groups 1 to 9) students at Harrow follow the National Curriculum of England as the foundation curriculum. This is adapted, as appropriate, to reflect our international community and our location in Thailand.
At its core the curriculum has the development of Literacy, Numeracy and Science skills and knowledge. In order that the curriculum is broad and balanced, children experience a range of subjects taught by the class teacher or by specialist teachers according to age group. Subjects include Information Communication Technology (ICT), History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education (PE), Art, Thai Studies and Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE). Modern Foreign Languages, including French and Mandarin, are introduced in Key Stage 1.
Pupils in Years 10 and 11 prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education with the final examinations, which are set by examination boards in the UK, being taken after two years of study. At Harrow all students must take English and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with a Modern Foreign Language, as well as options from the Sciences, Humanities and the Arts. Students are expected to take at least eight examination subjects.
The IGCSE courses provide excellent preparation for the pre-university examination courses offered to Harrow students. The AS and A2 Level General Certificate of Education are taken by Year 12 and to Year 13 students respectively. Students choose five subjects to study at AS Level and at least three at A2 Level. The courses are rigorous and challenging but students are advised on the selection of subject choices which reflect their interests, ability and higher education careers.
