A boarding school is like a normal day school with hotels attached. The hotels (boarding houses) are where the pupils sleep and the staff in the boarding house look after laundry, medical care and the general welfare of the pupils. The House Master acts like a parent, encouraging or disciplining the pupils where appropriate. His aim is to make sure the pupils are happy, get on well, work hard and are fully involved in the wider life of the school.

The fact that pupils sleep at the school brings three huge benefits. Firstly, there is the sense of community within the boarding house. Pupils feel much closer to their House, to their friends and to their school than is normal in day schools. Secondly, pupils are able to have academic lessons in the evenings if necessary; this permits them to study extra subjects and can also free-up afternoons.  Thirdly, they are able to do three to four times as much sport, music, art, drama and other activities as in a day school.

So the pattern of a typical day in a boarding school is – breakfast at 8am, lessons all morning, lunch, sport or other activities in the afternoon, lessons in the late afternoon, supper, working in the boarding house, leisure time and then sleep.

Some boarding schools have large numbers of day pupils and weekly boarders – so they are largely empty at weekends. At others virtually all the pupils are there every weekend and the range of activities on offer is much greater.

800, all boys.

The average class size is twelve boys.

No, Harrow is a boys-only school in all year groups.

Committed teachers, who live in School, high expectations of pupils, adherence to the concept of an all-round education, high quality pastoral care.

Excellent exam results, high standards of success in national academic competitions, sport, music, acting and other cultural pursuits. Keeping teenage boys active, challenged and interested all day.

There are many activities' run with girls' schools (including Wycombe Abbey, Francis Holland, North London Collegiate, Downe House, Heathfield and St. Mary's) such as acting, music and debating. In addition, there are reciprocal parties with girls' schools most Saturdays of the year.

It is a significant advantage as we are within easy reach of West End shows and some of the nation's finest art galleries and museums. Pupils are not allowed into London without an adult, and the School's position on the Hill means we live in a place with the atmosphere of a country village while being only 40 minutes from the centre of the capital.