Bangkok · History
Harrow Bangkok: Asia's First Harrow School, Founded on Royal Ties
Opened in 1998 as the first Harrow school in Asia, Harrow International School Bangkok was built on more than a century of connections between Harrow London and the Thai royal family.
Harrow International School Bangkok opened in 1998, marking the first Harrow school established in Asia. The choice of Thailand was not arbitrary. Thailand was considered an appropriate location owing to the strong links between Harrow School in London and Thailand's royal family, with 23 princes of the royal household having been educated at Harrow from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century, including His Majesty the King's grandfather, Prince Mahidol.
The school was part of a broader trend of making British-style schools abroad, as opposed to having students travel to Britain for their schooling. Unlike the original Harrow in London, the Bangkok school was made co-educational and open to day pupils. It was established under the patronage of Daniel Chiu of Hong Kong, and operates today through AISL Group under a licence from Harrow School in London. All Harrow International Schools are operated under a licence granted by Harrow School in London.
Early Growth and the Move to Don Mueang
The school grew to 800 pupils under the leadership of its first head, Stuart Morris. Having grown quickly at its original central-city site, the school moved into a new phase with the construction of a purpose-built campus, relocating in September 2003. HISB moved to its current 35-acre, purpose-built campus in Don Mueang in 2003. The site sits close to Don Mueang Airport in the north of the city.
Morris was succeeded by Dr Mark Hensman, who served as head for seven years before leaving to become Director of Schools for Harrow International Management Services, overseeing the foundation of the new Harrow Schools in Beijing and Hong Kong. Hensman stepped down in 2008, the year of the school's tenth anniversary, and was succeeded by Kevin Riley, formerly headmaster of the John Lyon School in London. Riley returned to the UK in 2012 to take up the headship of Bradford Grammar School and was succeeded by Michael Farley, formerly head of the British School in Tokyo.
In 2011, Harrow Bangkok was forced to relocate to different locations around the city when the Don Mueang campus was flooded, requiring a remarkable effort of coordination between staff, students and parents to keep the school open and ensure lessons continued. The school has faced other disruptions too. During the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which devastated parts of southern Thailand, staff took part in relief efforts. In March 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Bangkok, prompting the school to introduce earthquake drills for the first time.
Campus Redevelopment
A five-year redevelopment programme known as "HBuild" began in 2013 to improve the Don Mueang campus. In 2017 the school opened the Steinway Hall, hosting its first Steinway piano concert, and inaugurated the Chiu and Pullman Libraries. In 2026, the school announced "Project Horizon," a further renovation programme scheduled for completion in 2029, with planned works including an additional floor for the Creative and Performing Arts building and renovations to the dining hall.
Curriculum and Accreditation
Harrow Bangkok follows the National Curriculum for England, with students taking their IGCSEs in Year 11 and A and AS Levels in Year 13. The Lower School includes an early years centre for children from 18 months to five years and a pre-prep school covering Years 1 to 5. The Upper School takes in the preparatory school from Years 6 to 8, the senior school from Years 9 to 11, and a sixth form covering Years 12 and 13.
In 2001, the school joined the Federation of British International Schools in Asia. In 2006, HISB gained accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). The school also holds British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation. In its 2023 BSO inspection, conducted by a UK government-approved inspectorate, Harrow Bangkok received the highest possible rating of Outstanding in all key categories, including curriculum and quality of teaching.
The introduction of the house system, expanded boarding facilities, a Leadership in Action co-curricular programme, and a preparatory school for Years 6 to 8 contributed to the school's growth. Harrow Bangkok provides boarding facilities on campus, with boarders drawn from more than 18 different countries. The school is a member of HMC, the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, the same association of top UK public schools that includes Eton and Winchester.
The AISL Network
The AISL group expanded slowly in its early years, adding one school every seven years: Harrow Bangkok in 1998, AISL Harrow Beijing in 2005, and Harrow International School Hong Kong in 2012. The group now operates AISL Harrow International Schools in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, with Shenzhen and Haikou joining the network in 2020. Two governors from Harrow School London sit on the board of governors of Harrow International Schools and regularly visit the schools.
Present Day
In January 2019, Michael Farley moved to Hong Kong to take on the role of Director of Group Operations for Asia International School Limited (AISL) and was succeeded by Jon Standen, formerly head of Plymouth College, an independent boarding school in the UK. The school educates around 1,860 students on a 35-acre green campus in north Bangkok, catering to children from 18 months through to Year 13. At A Level in 2025, the school recorded 70% A* to A grades and 90% A* to B; at IGCSE, 71% A* to A and 92% A* to B. Harrow Bangkok celebrated its 25th birthday on 1 September 2023.