At Harrow Haikou, our educational vision is firmly rooted in the Harrow Values of Honour, Humility, Courage, and Fellowship. These timeless principles shape our culture, inform our decision-making, and define the character of our community. They guide how we learn, how we lead, and how we relate to one another, creating an environment in which every individual is encouraged to thrive and contribute positively to the lives of others.
Alongside these values sits a philosophy that has shaped my own approach to education and leadership, pithily captured in the words of the distinguished Old Harrovian Sir Winston Churchill: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. A positive attitude towards learning, challenge, perseverance, and service enables young people to unlock their potential and embrace opportunities with confidence and purpose.
We believe that an exceptional education begins with a strong and caring community. Our school is built on the conviction that every child should be known, valued, and supported as an individual. This is our commitment to close-personal tutoring. We take the time to understand each pupil’s unique passions, interests, strengths, and aspirations, ensuring that they feel a genuine sense of belonging and purpose throughout their journey with us.
Alongside this commitment to personal development stands our unwavering focus on academic excellence. At Harrow Haikou, every lesson matters. We know that outstanding outcomes are achieved through purposeful teaching, high expectations, and a relentless commitment to improvement. Academic success is not achieved by chance; it is the result of a carefully curated learning journey that supports and challenges pupils at every stage of their development, from Early Years through to Sixth Form. As an all-through school, we are uniquely positioned to provide continuity, coherence, and ambition throughout a child’s education, ensuring that each phase builds purposefully upon the last.
Our teachers are carefully tailor their approaches to meet the needs of our students, recognising that every learner is different and that the most effective education is one that inspires, challenges, and supports each child to achieve their full potential. This is underpinned by our Harrow Haikou 10 teaching and learning framework.
Situated on the island of Hainan, Harrow Haikou provides an island base, for a global outlook. We want our students to be proud of and invested in where they come from whilst understanding and having the confidence and skills to engage with global opportunities. Hainan’s favourable climate and the school’s extensive facilities, enables our students to enjoy an extensive co-curricular programme encompassing sport, the arts, leadership, service, outdoor education, and enrichment activities that complement and enhance their academic learning. It is this distinctly holistic Harrow education, combining academic rigour with exceptional opportunities for personal growth, that positions Harrow Haikou graduates not only to gain entry to the world’s leading universities, but to thrive within them.
At the heart of Harrow Haikou is a simple but powerful belief: when every child is known, supported, and challenged, the conditions for them to thrive are present. Together, as a community of pupils, parents, and staff, we are committed to nurturing confident learners, compassionate leaders, and responsible global citizens. Guided by the values of Honour, Humility, Courage, and Fellowship, and underpinned by the belief that attitude shapes achievement, we seek to develop young people who are academically ambitious, grounded in character and integrity, and equipped to make a meaningful contribution to an increasingly complex world.
Sean Knox
Headmaster of Harrow Haikou
