Character Development Is Key Aspect Of Education: Andrew Leale, Harrow International School Bengaluru

Andrew Leale is the Founding Principal of Harrow International School Bengaluru. He brings three decades of rich experience in world-class schools in the UK and internationally. Prior to joining Harrow International School Bengaluru, Leale was International Principal and Head, Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy, Beijing. In conversation with BW Education, Leale discusses why they are bringing Harrow International School to India, how their curriculum is offering unique aspects for the holistic growth of the students and more. Edited excerpts:

What is the purpose behind bringing the Harrow International School to India?

The most important underlying purpose of bringing Harrow to India is to widen access to a great education with a 451-year legacy. Until now, students in India have had to travel to the UK, to board in a school on the other side of the world in order to access that opportunity. 

Now, instead, Indian students can receive a truly international education in India, in Bengaluru, and can be connected with Harrow School in the UK and its superb university entrance results, which have included 74 offers from QS top 10 universities in 2023 alone.

What is the uniqueness of Harrow International School? Are you offering anything different from other local schools?

Harrow Bengaluru offers unique advantages to Indian students compared to local schools. 

Our teachers are connected to other Harrow schools worldwide, sharing best practice with the world’s best. Students have the opportunity to connect with international peers through collaborative projects. 

Our teachers are superbly qualified, with 60 per cent being international, of whom a third are Oxbridge graduates.

We provide an exclusively international curriculum, comprising of Cambridge and IB programs, offering students the choice between A-levels and the IB curriculum for grades 11 and 12. Our school facilities are exceptional, including a five-floor academic building, a STEM and arts facilities, a sports village with a range of superb sports amenities, a 600-seat auditorium, and four boarding houses.

What further sets Harrow apart is our strong boarding community and outstanding pastoral care, derived from the renowned UK tradition of providing quality support to students. We believe that students excel academically when they feel settled, happy, and well-cared for.

Why Indian parents are opting for foreign boards for their children’s education? 

More and more Indian parents are recognising that international education not only ensures that students develop knowledge but also a whole range of other lifelong skills and attributes which are essential for success in the modern world.

For example, at Harrow Bengaluru, students learn in Harkness rooms, featuring a large oval table around which students sit together, ensuring collaborative learning and the development of communication skills as they work with their peers. This contrasts with traditional classrooms where students face the teacher in rows and which lends itself to a far more teacher led environment. Our classrooms are designed to be flexible, with movable desks and breakout spaces in every corridor, encouraging group work and discussions.

We also believe in the theory of acquisition learning, which emphasises that students learn not only in the classroom but also through interactions outside of it. Therefore, we provide comfortable spaces for students to relax, reflect, and engage in conversations about their studies. Our goal is to create a learning environment where students continue to learn and grow throughout the day, even during breaks and between lessons.

Having such an international education available in India of course makes it even more attractive to Indian parents. They can reap the benefits without sending their children far away. Our location in Bengaluru allows for convenient travel to major cities, enabling students to stay connected with their families. Moreover, Harrow Bengaluru creates a balance between international education and the appreciation of Indian culture. With 40 per cent of our teachers being Indian, we understand and respect the cultural background of our students, aiming to shape them into global citizens who contribute to India's growth while celebrating their Indian identity.

As an experienced principal who has served at the Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy in Beijing and held various roles in the UK, you have now taken on the position of principal at Harrow International School in Bangalore. Comparatively, leading a school in India may bring forth several unique aspects and challenges. Could you share your insights on how you anticipate the differences and potential challenges you might face in this new role?

More than the challenge, I look at it as an opportunity. One advantage of Harrow Bengaluru is the opportunity to establish a modern and forward-looking culture in a new school. Unlike older institutions, we have the freedom to shape the desired culture from the beginning. This includes fostering a positive learning environment and promoting the right behaviours among students.

Setting up a new school in India also allows us to blend an international outlook with an appreciation of local culture. We aim to provide an international community while ensuring that students maintain their connection to their Indian heritage. This unique characteristic, of an international school with a Harrow connection in India, allows us to cater to diverse needs, such as offering a variety of food options to accommodate the varied needs of different Indian communities.

Overall, our goal is to create an inclusive and culturally rich environment where students can benefit from both international perspectives and an appreciation of their valued roots in India.

What is your plan for providing a well-rounded education focussing not only on academic excellence but also on character development?

Character development is a key aspect of education at Harrow Bengaluru. Our values-based education focuses on four core principles: courage, honor, humility, and fellowship. These are integrated into every aspect of our school. 

At the same time, our co-curricular program brings a holistic element to the daily schedule through the super curriculum and the extracurricular.

The super curriculum encompasses academic opportunities that extend beyond the standard curriculum. We encourage students to explore fields such as robotics, STEM, and medicine, through clubs, competitions, and guest lectures. These activities provide unique avenues for academic growth and passion development. In addition, our students actively engage in national and international competitions, enhancing their profiles for admission to top universities.

On the other hand, the extracurricular programme ensures that Harrovians gain opportunities in sports, drama, music, art, and dance. We believe that participating in these activities not only develops character traits but also positively influences academic performance. By enjoying their chosen pursuits, students develop a positive attitude towards learning, which translates into better academic outcomes.

With the growing technology at a fast pace, today, everyone has the fear of being irrelevant as the changing market needs are demanding a new set of skills every day. Many scholars suggest that in schools instead of teaching a specific set of skills to the students we should teach them how to adapt and learn new things every day to be relevant in the future world. What is your take on it?

Adaptability is crucial for our children's futures, considering the multiple roles they may undertake throughout their lives. Equipping them with essential 21st century skills can facilitate their ability to navigate change. Traditional educational foundations, such as knowledge acquisition, have become less pivotal due to easily accessible information on the internet. Instead, the World Economic Forum emphasises three key areas: foundation literacies, competencies, and character qualities.

Foundation literacies encompass numeracy, literacy, and scientific knowledge, which remain beneficial. However, competencies and character qualities are the areas where traditional education falls short. These include creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, persistence, initiative, adaptability, and leadership skills. Harrow has a strong legacy in developing leadership qualities, with notable alumni including seven British Prime Ministers, whilst our educational approach aligns with these goals by fostering a collaborative and creative learning environment, through the Harkness model and group learning.