Harrow School
Harrow School, founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, is a full-boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18. It is known for its rich history, distinctive traditions, and a strong sense of community that stems from shared daily life in boarding houses. Harrow School is the founding member of the Harrow Family of Schools, which also includes John Lyon School, and the multiple Harrow International Schools, Harrow Innovation Leadership Academies and Harrow Little Lions (Early Years Centres) in operation around the world.Harrow’s 324 acres comprise six conservation areas, a registered park, a nine-hole golf course and even a working farm. Coupled with its buildings of special architectural and historic interest, the School has the quality of a village. Positioned as we are on the Metropolitan Line, 20 minutes from Baker Street on a fast train, we enjoy the best of both worlds – a spacious boarding community within easy reach of the vibrancy of the capital.
Reimagining Local Spaces for Young People: The Farm Day Project
Harrow School’s historic farm was brought vividly back to life in 2025, opening its gates to 240 local primary school children for an inspiring day of hands-on learning.
Working closely with Young Harrow Foundation, the school transformed its grounds into an immersive educational space where pupils could meet the animals, understand food growing, explore nature, and experience rural life in a way many had never encountered before. The day created genuine excitement and curiosity, offering children a chance to connect with the natural world and learn through real discovery. It was a bold, innovative pilot that tested a new way of using a unique local asset for community benefit.
The event also demonstrated the unique strength of YHF’s borough-wide network. YHF worked closely with its charity members to co-design activities and deliver a rich programme that reflected local expertise — from animal care and sustainability, to wellbeing, creativity, and outdoor learning.
The success of the Farm Day has already paved the way for future development: Harrow School is now exploring new plans to expand the farm as an educational space, supported by a dedicated new role to help grow this vision. It’s a powerful example of how innovation, partnership, and donor support can create lasting, evolving opportunities for young people.
Opening the farm to the community shows what can happen when organisations come together with a shared purpose. It’s been a privilege to create something so positive for young people in Harrow.”
Children's University Programme in Harrow
The Children's University (CU) is a charity working with primary schools and organisations like the Young Harrow Foundation to encourage and celebrate participation in extra-curricular activities in and out of school for primary school children of all backgrounds.
Harrow Children's University is funded by John Lyon’s Charity and implemented through the Young Harrow Foundation with the support of Harrow School and John Lyon School.
