Welcome to Harrow School

A broad education - The Harrow Diploma

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At Harrow we believe that all boys must achieve a level of excellence both inside and outside the classroom. In 2009 the Harrow Diploma was accredited by Edexcel. The Diploma is an attempt to DEFINE what we mean by a broad education and REWARD boys who have achieved a good level in each of the seven areas of school experience which we regard as important. It is awarded to boys in Year 13 (Upper Sixth) and comes with a book prize.

In each of the seven areas pupils have to achieve a certain defined minimum level. It is expected that in a typical year about 60% of boys will achieve the Diploma. The outcome of introducing the Diploma has been that more boys make an attempt to fulfil the requirements of the Diploma and understand more clearly what we mean by a broad education.

The main areas of minimum achievement are as follows:

Academic results: achieve both

  • 9 GCSEs grades A*-C 
  • 4 AS-levels A-C 

Cultural activity: at least one of

  • GCSE Art or Music or AS Photography 
  • Grade 5 on a musical instrument or singing
  • Speaking part in a play or significant non-speaking contribution to a play
  • Membership of a choir or an orchestra for a term at least
  • Membership of a Glee or Twelve (XII) group

Physical activity: at least two of

  • Membership of a School sports team for five terms (can be different sports)
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Silver level achieved
  • Competed in the Endurance Event Competition
  • Competed in the Drill Competition
  • Long Ducker: 10 miles run, 200 lengths of the School swimming pool or 10,000 metres on a rowing machine

Communication: at least two of

  • A pass in the Lower Sixth Literacy course 
  • Participation in a Debating team 
  • Membership of a House public-speaking team
  • Have had an article or creative writing published in any School magazine 
  • Read a lesson in Chapel 
  • Have been part of a House Chapel Service or Thought for the Day 
  • Helped to write House website
  • Place in the Finals of a School lecture competition

 

Service to others: at least two of

  • Community Service: one term minimum
  • Conservation: one term's service
  • House Monitor 
  • Raised £100 for charity (including Long Ducker)
  • Have been in charge of a Society or Activity for at least one term
  • Bishop's Licence to administer Communion (Christianity)
  • Another type of service recognised by House Master

Developing a skill: at least two of

  • Young Enterprise Team membership
  • AS-level Critical Thinking 
  • Contributed to a School exhibition - in the OSRG, Pasmore Gallery or Shepherd Churchill Foyer 
  • First Aid course 
  • Life-Saving course 
  • Cookery course 
  • Introduction to Investment Certificate
  • Canoeing course 
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award, Silver level 
  • Rifle Corps membership for two years 
  • Participation in the Engineering Education Scheme
  • Completion of the Extended Project

Work experience

  • A work experience placement lasting at least 5 days

Stats

Did you know?

7
British Prime Ministers were educated at Harrow
15
tours, trips or expeditions abroad take place each year