The British School in Tokyo

Focus

Nurturing unique potential

Day fees 2024/25

$17,100–$17,800

Pupils

1,300

Ages

3–18

Spear’s Review

Established in 1989, the British School in Tokyo (BST) is a leading independent school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18.

BST’s academic programme is based on the UK curriculum and encourages children to develop organically and achieve their potential. From two campuses – one for nursery to Year 6 and the other for Year 7 to Year 13 – students can study a vast range of subjects, including all core subjects, art and humanities, languages and sciences, to a very high level. Students also learn Japanese from pre-prep and engage in frequent exchanges with local Japanese partner schools. The school currently offers IGCSEs and A-Levels, and is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School in order to offer the IB diploma programme in Years 12 and 13.

Just as important as academics are the co-curricular opportunities, and there many sports, clubs and activities to choose from – including badminton, cricket, football, volleyball and yoga. Clubs, too, are just as diverse; students can partake in anything from Minecraft club to banned book club to sewing and textiles. There are also facilities for West-End style drama productions, and the extensive primary and secondary libraries regularly acquire the latest bestsellers and even loan to parents.

Academics

75 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

52 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A. 

University and college destinations

BST students go on to matriculate at some of the best universities in the world; in 2024, three students went to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, while one student went to study at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school.

Head teacher

Ian Clayton joined BST as principal in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Originally from the UK, Clayton has served as head of the senior school at the British School Manila, vice principal at the English Schools Foundation and head of the international stream at the French International School in Hong Kong. 

Admissions

BST is not an academically selective school, but proficiency in English for both the child and at least one parent is required. Sometimes, the school may carry out interviews or assessments, and applications are thoroughly reviewed.

Accessibility

Haneda International Airport: 20 minutes

Location

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