Harrow International School Shanghai

Was less than thrilled with the Head of Secondary when I interviewed there last year, glad I dodged it. - Typhon_The_Traveller

I worked at Harrow Shanghai a few years ago and had a great experience during my time there. I hear all schools in Shanghai are struggling with numbers... I know a lot can change in a few years but it was a great work environment for me. Plus, Shanghai is a fantastic place to live! Good luck with your decision. - TunefulTraveller

I've heard the opposite about Harrow in China... contact hours are lower (well compared to where I work, everywhere seems to be lower) while pay is decent.

I have two ex-colleagues who work in two different Harrow's across two different cities in China (one in Shanghai).

I wouldn't base your decision on my post though. Hours are long at one of the Harrows (until 5pm) but he teaches perhaps 3 lessons a day, 4 maximum. - Expensive-Worker-582

And I’ll say what I’ve said a million times before - every school is different, even when they share a name.

To reply to the OP, Harrow Shanghai was always a much smaller school than Beijing or even Shenzhen, because of its location. AISL doesn’t have the diversity of businesses or schools that the other Harrow operators do, so the pressure for profit has always been great. - intlteacher

I have a Chinese daughter. Her English level was poor. But Harrow said that won't be a problem. They allow an in-class tutor to help her if she doesn't understand something. And to communicate better with the teachers. And Harrow would help her in developing her English.

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We had to find and hire the tutor ourselves. And quickly in class the teachers started ignoring our daughter and only spoke to the tutor. And quickly they let the tutor design lesson material because our daughter had some difficulty in following the class material. For some subjects we didn't mind that much. But for most it was ridiculous. Math shouldn't have been an issue for instance, she just needed a bit more guidance from the Math teacher. Like any student might do if they have trouble with that subject. But there was no extra guidance from any teacher. There was absolutely no ESL program. And they just ignored our daughter in class. Most of the time she just sat separately with the tutor. Who of course was only hired to assist. Not make whole lesson plans and teach.

We paid an awful high amount for the school and the tutor, but better could've just kept her at home and homeschooled her. But worst of all. They promised a lot, but after taking our money, we got nothing from them.

After one year we took her out and she is going to SCIS now. They do have great support for non-native English speakers. And she has thrived there. - Master_Mad