Our History
“Our beloved subject, John Lyon…by instinct of charity, (the Divine Providence foregoing) hath purposed in his mind a certain Grammar School…of new to erect, found and forever establish for the perpetual education, teaching and instruction of Children and Youth…giving a very good example to all others to imitate the like hereafter, and also to the common profit of all our subjects”.
Elizabeth I, Royal Charter granted to John Lyon, 19th February 1572
1572
Harrow School in London is founded by John Lyon under a Royal Charter of Elizabeth I of England.
1894
Prince Purachatra Jayakara, Prince of Kamphaengphet, attends Harrow School London.
1998
Harrow International School Bangkok opens as the first original Harrow School in Asia. Thailand was thought to be an appropriate location for the first Harrow International School owing to the strong links between Harrow School in London and Thailand’s royal family, with 23 princes of the royal household having been educated at Harrow from the late Nineteenth Century to the late Twentieth Century, including His Majesty the King’s grandfather, Prince Mahidol.
2002
The School grows to 800 pupils under the leadership of Mr Stuart Morris. He is succeeded by Dr Mark Hensman who is Head Master for seven years before leaving this post to become the Director of Schools for Harrow International Management Services and overseeing the foundation of the new Harrow Schools in Beijing and Hong Kong.
2003
The school moves site to its current 35-acre purpose-built green site in Don Mueang. The 'House System' is introduced, boarding provision is developed, our extracurricular activities are expanded as the Harrow Bangkok 'Leadership in Action' Programme and a discrete Preparatory School (Years 6-8) is put in place. The School continues to thrive, growing to 1,200 students.
2004
Thailand is hit by the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Some of the Harrow Bangkok staff are caught up in this disaster and show exceptional bravery in helping to save the lives of others.
2008
Harrow Bangkok celebrates it's 10th Year Anniversary. Dr Mark Hensman is succeeded by Mr Kevin Riley, formerly Headmaster of the John Lyon School, the Harrow Foundation’s day school at Harrow-on-the-Hill, London.
2011
Harrow Bangkok is forced to relocate to different locations around the city as the Don Mueang Campus is flooded; a remarkable effort of coordination between the staff, students and parents of the school to successfully keep the school open and ensure that lessons continue.
2012
Mr Kevin Riley returns to the UK to take up the headship of Bradford Grammar School and is succeeded in Summer 2012 by Mr Michael Farley, formerly Head Master of the British School in Tokyo.
2013
'HBuild', the redevelopment of the Bangkok campus over a 5-year period is initiated.
2014
Thai pop rock band 'Body Slam' perform on the Harrow Bangkok campus as part of the biggest rock concert held at the school, with over 1000 students, parents and staff attending.
2017
First Steinway piano concert is held in the newly built Creative and Performing Arts Centre. The Chiu and Pullman Libraries open. Harrow Bangkok celebrates its 20th Year Anniversary.
2019
In January of 2019 Mr Michael Farley moves to Hong Kong to take on the role of Director of Group Operations for Asia International School Limited (AISL) and is succeeded by Mr Jon Standen, formerly Head of Plymouth College, an independent boarding school in the UK.