Harrogate International Academy (HIA) has officially opened its first international branch in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
The grand opening was a celebration of Harrogate's heritage, featuring iconic elements such as Betty's tea and Harrogate Spring Water, as well as traditional English food and drink such as Pimm’s and lemonade, and lots of cake.
The event was attended by Mayor of Puerto De La Cruz, Marco González, who joined Andrew Gray, founder of HIA and Harrogate resident, in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Andrew Gray, founder of HIA, said:
“Given how much the Canary Islands mean to my family and me, it is an honour to give something back to the people, by providing Tenerife with a fabulous academy, staffed with world-class teachers, serving our growing student population.
"At Harrogate International Academy, our aim is to open academies throughout the Canary Islands and then across the world.
"Puerto De La Cruz, like Harrogate, is famed for its connection with Agatha Christie."
HIA students in Tenerife are receiving a "top-tier" education whilst also learning about Harrogate, its history, culture, and traditions.
This unique educational experience aims to instil a sense of global citizenship and cultural awareness in the students, bridging the gap left by Brexit and the end of British involvement in the Erasmus scheme.
Andrew added:
"Mark my words, like Oxford and Cambridge, “Harrogate” will soon be known throughout the world for its innovative, person-centred approach to life-long learning.
"Not only do we offer traditional subjects, but we deeply believe in the power of mentoring, not just tutoring. In fact, I mentor local business leaders in Harrogate, following my two decades as a lawyer and one decade running one of Harrogate's fastest-growing law firms.
"Inspired by Harrogate, we are creating the educational institution that I would want to attend, and that my two children would be proud to attend. We’d love to speak to teachers anywhere in the world who would like to open a HIA in their area.”
Harrogate International Academy
HIA is dedicated to being a centre of excellence. The Academy’s mission is to cultivate well-rounded and committed students, equipping them with the tools to understand the world around them and to initiate positive change.
Emerging from Harrogate, HIA strives to enable educators to thrive and students to achieve academic excellence, personal growth, and essential skill development.
Future Plans: Following the successful launch in Tenerife, HIA is opening another new branch in Harrogate in September, offering English, Maths, and mentoring programs to counteract negative influences, such as Andrew Tate, and to promote positive role models.
For more details about Harrogate International Academy, visit: www.the-hia.com in Spain and https://the-hia.co.uk/ in the UK.
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