The British School in Tokyo (BST) provides a through education for students aged from three to 18, and particular care is given to its youngest learners. The preschool section, Nursery for three-year-olds and Reception for four-year-olds, uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of the British education system as its curriculum.
At the BST preschool, the maximum class size is 20 for Nursery and Reception, and each class has one teacher and one education assistant. Experienced educators track, plan and tailor learning opportunities for children in each class to ensure they progress in all curriculum areas. The play-based approach that the preschool employs allows young children to have fun, make friends, cooperate, learn about the world and develop essential reading, writing and mathematics skills.
EYFS schooling is dedicated to promoting young children’s social, emotional, academic and physical development and focuses on seven areas:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- English
- Mathematics
- Physical development
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
BST’s early education is also informed by Reggio Emilia principles and, in keeping with this philosophy, children’s views and interests shape the learning process in outdoor and indoor settings. Children are also encouraged to bring in and talk about books or items of interest related to what they are studying.
A high-quality Early Years provision, like that at BST, leads to improved academic results further up the school and improved physical and emotional health as students grow into adulthood.
Building on Strong Foundations
From age 5, students will enter Year 1 automatically and are able to transition all the way through to Year 13, when they will be 18 years old. Their educational journey prepares them for entrance into the best universities around the globe.
BST provides a truly holistic education, and it is a place where students learn in and outside of the classroom. Students have ample opportunity to develop their interests and talents, with music, sports, art and drama being particularly strong at the school.
In August 2023, at the start of the 2023–24 academic year, BST will open its new primary school campus in one of Tokyo’s most exciting urban developments, Mori Building’s iconic Toranomon-Azabudai Project. The new campus, which is just around the corner from Tokyo Tower, will serve students from Nursery to Year 6 (11 years old), and it will have a distinct look and feel that is in keeping with its impressive surroundings.
Designed by the renowned architects Thomas Heatherwick Studios, the 15,000-square-meter campus is spread over seven floors above the ground, including a roof garden, and one subterranean floor. The campus will contain outstanding and extensive facilities unmatched in central Tokyo and offer a learning environment where young minds can thrive.
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