On February 20th, Harrow Hengqin welcomed Mr. Alastair Land, the Head Master of Harrow School in the UK, for a landmark educational lecture. This visit marked the first time a Harrow Head Master had set foot in Hengqin, and it coincided with the school’s fourth anniversary, making it a doubly significant occasion. The event, attended by parents and prospective parents, provided a platform for Mr. Land and Mr. Luke Bartlett, Head Master of Harrow Hengqin, to share their insights on Harrow’s distinctive approach to education. Their dialogue was rich with wisdom, offering a deep understanding of how Harrow blends academic excellence with character development, leadership training, and community engagement.
Key Quotes from the Lecture
Mr. Alastair Land:
“What needs to be at the center is original intelligence. Let’s not put the AI in the middle. Let’s put the young people in the middle.”
“This is something we do naturally. It’s not a gimmick; it’s part of our DNA. We’ve been doing this for 453 years.”
“Everyone is a leader. Leadership is about taking responsibility every day.”
Mr. Luke Bartlett:
“We have Harrow DNA in every cell of our students and staff. It’s not just about appearances; it’s about who we are at our core.”
“Success outside the classroom gives confidence, joy and purpose, which in turn enhances academic performance. There is an enormously long tradition of this in the UK and we bring this here in the full knowledge that it works. ”
“We are preparing our students not just for the jobs of today but for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
The Harrow DNA:
Tradition Meets Innovation
Mr. Luke Bartlett opened the session by warmly welcoming Mr. Land and the attendees. He emphasized the significance of the visit, noting that it was not only Mr. Land’s first trip to Hengqin but also the first time a Harrow Head Master had visited the school. “We have Harrow DNA,” Mr. Bartlett declared, “and it’s evident not just in our appearance, colors, and crests, but in every cell of our students and staff. We take our heritage seriously and are proud of the high standards it embodies.”
Mr. Bartlett highlighted how Harrow Hengqin has embraced traditional Harrow practices while also creating unique traditions. For instance, the Long Ducker, a community fun run, reflects the school’s connection to its roots. At the same time, the school has introduced new traditions, such as its growing rowing program. “We have the best rowing facilities among all Harrow schools,” Mr. Bartlett noted, “and we are making the most of them.” The school hosted its first annual regatta last November, attracting participants from prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Yale, further cementing its place in the global Harrow community.
Holistic Education:
Blending Academics with Character Development
The heart of the lecture focused on Harrow’s holistic approach to education. Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Land emphasized that a Harrow education is not just about academic achievement but also about nurturing well-rounded individuals. “We don’t see a competition between academic work and extracurricular activities,” Mr. Bartlett explained. “Success outside the classroom—whether in sports, music, or drama—gives confidence joy and purpose, which in turn enhances academic performance. There is an enormously long tradition of this in the UK and we bring this here in the full knowledge that it works.”
Mr. Land echoed this sentiment, stating, “This is something we do naturally. It’s not a gimmick; it’s part of our DNA. We’ve been doing this for 453 years, and we hope to carry on.” He emphasized that Harrow’s mission is to develop not only academically successful students but also individuals with strong values, courage, humility, and a sense of fellowship.
One of the most poignant moments came when Mr. Land shared a personal story. “I wasn’t always a biologist,” he revealed. “In fact, I found school incredibly difficult until science was split into biology, chemistry, and physics. Suddenly, everything I had learned in my grandmother’s garden came to life, and I excelled. This is what Harrow does—we recognize that every child has unique talents and will flourish in different areas at different times.”
Leadership in the 21st Century:
Cultivating Future-Ready Leaders
The discussion then turned to the skills and values necessary for leadership in the modern world. Mr. Bartlett highlighted the importance of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and self-discipline. “These skills are vital for success in the 21st century,” he said. “We don’t know what jobs will exist in the future, but we do know that these skills will help our students adapt and thrive.”
Mr. Land expanded on this by discussing leadership at two levels: within the school and beyond. “Leadership in school is a privileged space,” he said. “We can define the environment and ethos, and we ensure that four values—courage, honour, humility and fellowship—run through everything we do.” He emphasized that leadership is not limited to formal roles; even simple actions, like picking up litter, can be acts of leadership because you’re saying no and you want a good environment. “Everyone is a leader,” he declared. “We want our students to understand that leadership is about taking responsibility every day.”
The Future of Education:
Focusing on OI instead of AI
In the lecture, Mr. Land and Mr. Bartlett reflected on the future of education in an era of rapid technological change. They acknowledged the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) but emphasized the enduring importance of human intelligence and values.
“We have a fixation today about artificial intelligence and that nothing seems to be the same again. This keeps on happening in human history. So, for me as an educationist what it tells me is that yes there is artificial intelligence but can we remember what needs to be at the center which is original intelligence, our intelligence, the intelligence of our children and our young people. Let’s not put the AI in the middle. Let’s put the young people in the middle and make sure that they are prepared for worlds that are going to change. We all know that we think differently when we’re typing on a keyboard compared with when we have a pen or when we’re holding a brush so that’s not saying that AI is the only thing that our children need to be equipped with, they need to be whole human beings to thrive.” Mr. Land said.
Mr. Bartlett shared examples of how Harrow Hengqin is integrating AI into its curriculum, teaching students how to use AI platforms effectively while also encouraging them to think critically about its implications. “We are preparing our students not just for the jobs of today but for the challenges and opportunities of the future,” he said.
The Harrow Advantage:
Preparing for Top Global Universities
A key focus of the lecture was how Harrow prepares students for admission to the world’s top universities. Mr. Land explained that Harrow’s approach is sophisticated and individualized. “We match students to institutions,” he said. “We encourage them to look beyond the immediate options and consider universities globally. Our goal is to help them find the best fit for their aspirations and talents.”
Mr. Bartlett said, “We are part of the Harrow family and there is enormous experience and expertise as part of the group out here in Asia as well as back in London. For example, we have a university advisor who visits us three or four times a year from Hong Kong. We have our own excellent university guidance counselor. We have quite a lot of teachers including myself who are very experienced in guiding people to top universities.”
He added that preparation for university begins long before the application process. “It’s about developing the right habits from a young age,” he said. “Whether it’s a love of reading, a passion for music, or a commitment to sports, these early experiences shape the skills and values that will enable students to thrive at university and beyond.”
The Role of Parents and Community:
A Collaborative Effort
Both Head Masters stressed the importance of collaboration between the school and parents. Mr. Land thanked parents for their role in laying the foundation for their children’s education, while Mr. Bartlett highlighted the strong communication between the school and families at Harrow Hengqin. “We value the partnership with parents,” he said. “Your involvement and feedback are crucial to our continuous improvement.”
The discussion also touched on the school’s efforts to engage with the local community. Mr. Bartlett expressed his commitment to fostering a sense of compassion and social responsibility among students. “We want our students to appreciate their privileges and give back to society,” he said. “Through community service and charitable initiatives, we aim to instill in them a sense of global citizenship.”
As Mr. Land and Mr. Bartlett emphasized, the Harrow experience is about more than academic success—it’s about developing resilient, compassionate, and forward-thinking individuals who are ready to lead in the 21st century. With its strong ties to the Harrow family, its innovative programs, and its dedicated community, Harrow Hengqin is well-positioned to continue its legacy of excellence for years to come.
