Leadership and Service

At Harrow Shanghai, leadership and service are part of everyday school life. From the Lower School through to the Upper School, pupils learn to take responsibility, support others and make a positive contribution to their community. As they grow, so do the opportunities available to them, helping them develop the confidence, empathy and judgement to lead with purpose.

Developing Leaders Across the School

In the Lower School, pupils begin to discover how their ideas and actions can make a difference. Opportunities include Head Students, House Captains, Class Representatives, Student Council, Student Ambassadors and Digital Leaders. Through these responsibilities, pupils learn to listen, represent others, work together and take pride in contributing to school life.

In the Upper School, pupils build on these foundations through roles including Prefects, Junior and Senior Monitors, House Captains, Deputy Head Students and Head Students. They take increasing responsibility for supporting school events, leading activities and representing their peers. Pupil councils provide a regular forum to discuss ideas, raise suggestions and work with staff to bring about practical improvements.
Leadership extends beyond formal titles. Through pupil-led ECAs, coaching, refereeing, mentoring and service opportunities, pupils develop their skills through their interests and their willingness to help others.

Connecting Older and Younger Pupils

As an all-through school, we place particular value on relationships between our older and younger pupils. We bring leaders from both sections of the school together and create regular opportunities for Upper School pupils to support Lower School life.

Reading buddies, small-group mentoring, break-time activities, coaching and refereeing all help build these connections. Younger pupils gain encouragement and familiar role models, while older pupils learn to communicate with different age groups, respond to others’ needs and become dependable members of their community.

Our student mentoring programme creates regular opportunities for older pupils to support younger members of the school, including Upper School pupils meeting with small groups of Lower School children. Through conversations about school life, friendships, achievements and challenges, mentors offer encouragement, listen and help younger pupils build confidence and a sense of belonging. With staff guidance, mentors develop their own communication, empathy and leadership skills, learning the importance of being a consistent and supportive role model.

Leadership and service also extend beyond the school grounds. Every Upper School residential includes a leadership and service link, helping pupils connect their experiences with a wider understanding of responsibility and contribution.