A Message from Alastair Land, Head Master of Harrow School, and Emma McKendrick, Headmistress of Downe House

It is our great privilege to announce today an exciting new chapter for Downe House and Harrow School. Following extensive discussions between the Board of Downe House and the Board of John Lyon’s Foundation, which governs Harrow, our schools will form a structural partnership which will bring significant benefits to our pupils and their families, now and into the future.  

This is a time of change within the independent education sector, and this brings opportunity. By uniting two of the country’s most distinguished schools, we make an unparalleled commitment which will deepen academic purpose, create new opportunities, advance innovation, and support growth at both schools.  

The increasingly strong relationship between our schools, together with our closely aligned ethos, cultures and ambitions, makes this partnership a natural and strategic next step. We share a strong and enduring belief in the value of single-sex boarding, and this is a principle that we seek to promote through this partnership. We each bring a proud heritage of academic excellence alongside a commitment to the holistic development of boys and girls. We both recognise the strength of tradition while embracing change and instilling a global outlook which prepares our pupils to excel in a fast-changing world. 

Our schools will retain the distinct identities, character and traditions so fundamental to their success. We will also remain within our separate charities. We want our pupils to continue to enjoy all the benefits of a single-sex education, whilst gaining from a rich and meaningful programme of joint academic, co-curricular, and social activities, building on the connection which our schools have developed over many years. We have no doubt the boys and girls will embrace these new opportunities and form meaningful friendships with their counterparts – just as they did during our recent academic collaboration at the Royal Society. 

Investing in our staff and supporting the development of excellent professional practice is important to us. The partnership will strengthen teaching and learning and pastoral care through the sharing of knowledge, technology and resources, creating the best possible environments in which pupils can thrive and succeed.  

An additional ambition is to bring together parents, alumni and our wider communities through shared experiences. Practicalities, such as an alignment of school calendars, are also planned for 2028 onwards, offering convenience to the families with children at both schools. This forms part of our shared strategy to enhance the parental experience across our schools.

Successful schools, as we know, are built on successful relationships, and warm, inclusive and dynamic communities sit at the heart of our schools. A successful partnership must also have its foundation in strong relationships, and whilst Downe and Harrow will have much to learn from each other, we believe the spirit of collaboration, our common purpose and the mutual respect we enjoy will ensure that we deliver something very special for the girls at Downe House and the boys at Harrow. 

Please visit the Harrow School website to learn more about our partner school. 

Media Enquiries: please contact Maebh Gallagher, H-Advisors – maebh.gallagher@h-advisors.global