Harrow School

Harrow School is a British public school, located in Harrow on the Hill, in North West London. It was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth I to John Lyon, a local yeoman, for the provision of education to local boys (Lyon was particular about keeping Harrow single-sex, a tradition that is still maintained). Harrow currently has approximately 850 pupils spread across 11 houses, all of whom board full-time at a cost of £23,625 per year. The majority of boarding houses were constructed in Victorian times, when the number of boys increased dramatically and the school began to resemble something similar to the current institution in terms of size and uniform.

Harrow Societies

As with many boarding schools, Harrow has a large number of societies, most of which are run by the boys. They include:

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• Alexander Society (Military History)
• The Archives
• Biology Society
• Bridge Club
• Canoe Club
• Circus Skills
• Classic Film Society (not classical)
• Comedy Society
• Debating Society
• Design
• Drama
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• Film Society
• Flambards & Bible Studies
• Fly Tying & Fishing
• Gore Society (Theology)
• Jewish Society
• Marmots (Climbing / Mountaineering)
• Nehru Society (Indian Culture)
• Old Speech Room Gallery Art Society
• Photography Society
• Rattigan Society (Drama)
• Sheridan Society (English)
• Sixth Form Club (Social)
• Sub Aqua Society
• Ten Miles To London (Creative writing to go into a school magazine once a year)
• Universal Challenge (Inter-House version of the TV show University Challenge)
• Wine Tasting (Sixth Form)
• Young Enterprise

There are many more. Indeed, every aspect of academic life has a society devoted to it - from the Alexander Society for military history to the Oriental Languages Society. Each society has its own signature tie for consistent members.

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Monitors

Monitors are chosen from boys who are deemed to have the best qualities in leadership and achievement. They have the power to give lines and other such punishments to boys who misbehave. Each house has at least one monitor, who is made "Head of House" (the most senior boy in house). On a school-wide level the best monitor is made "Head Boy" and a deputy is appointed to assist. Monitors wear top hats and carry black canes when in Sunday dress and wear a blue tie bearing the school crest. This crest is also printed on the bands of their hats. The head may wear a white bow-tie and white waistcoats when in Sunday dress.

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The Guild

This is a small group of selected boys in the top year, deemed to be leaders in artistic and cultural fields within the school, whose role is to promote music, art, drama, and other such activities. It is a highly prestigious position. Guild members may wear a maroon waistcoat when in Sunday dress or a maroon tie with rampant lions when in everyday uniform.

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The Philathletic Club

This is akin to the guild, but its members are all players in the top sports teams in the school. It is their job to promote the sport side of Harrow life. Again membership is an honour, and in many boys eyes, more so than being in the Guild. Their privileges include wearing a black bow tie instead of the usual black school tie, and giving punishments to teachers who misbehave in sports matches, though this power is rarely used seriously.

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