Our Story

The British School in Tokyo was established as a charitable trust in 1988 by parents who wished their children to have a British-style education in Tokyo. In 1989, UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher officially opened the School in Shibuya, central Tokyo. The School began with only three classes and a total of 63 students.

The British School in Tokyo was established as a charitable trust in 1988 by parents who wished their children to have a British-style education in Tokyo. In 1989, UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher officially opened the School in Shibuya, central Tokyo. The School began with only three classes and a total of 63 students.

Due to the School’s success, by 1993, BST was educating over 200 students from ages 3 to 10. To accommodate the growing student population, a modern building with improved facilities was opened in Shibuya on 14 May 1998. This provided a stimulating environment for over 300 students aged 3 to 11 years old.

Due to the School’s success, by 1993, BST was educating over 200 students from ages 3 to 10. To accommodate the growing student population, a modern building with improved facilities was opened in Shibuya on 14 May 1998. This provided a stimulating environment for over 300 students aged 3 to 11 years old.

In January 2001, the Upper School relocated to new premises close to the main building. The refurbishment provided Year 6, 7 and 8 students with more space and appropriate accommodation. The School was grateful to the British Ambassador Sir Stephen Gomersall, the Mayor of Shibuya and Tamura Sensei of SKG for their support in achieving this.

In January 2001, the Upper School relocated to new premises close to the main building. The refurbishment provided Year 6, 7 and 8 students with more space and appropriate accommodation. The School was grateful to the British Ambassador Sir Stephen Gomersall, the Mayor of Shibuya and Tamura Sensei of SKG for their support in achieving this.

Having established a growing reputation for academic excellence, in 2006, The British School in Tokyo opened its new facility on the Showa Women’s University campus. Upper Primary years were relocated to this campus, allowing expansion to four classes in each year group on the Shibuya campus. BST introduced new year groups in the Secondary School, teaching students up to 16 years old.

Having established a growing reputation for academic excellence, in 2006, The British School in Tokyo opened its new facility on the Showa Women’s University campus. Upper Primary years were relocated to this campus, allowing expansion to four classes in each year group on the Shibuya campus. BST introduced new year groups in the Secondary School, teaching students up to 16 years old.

In September 2010, BST introduced Years 12 and Year 13, teaching the A-level Programme. This year, BST started teaching students from 3 to 18 years old. The first group of Senior School students only consisted of seven people. Standing next to the seven students are the Head of Sixth Form, Mr Lennon and the Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Ms Kaneta.

In September 2010, BST introduced Years 12 and Year 13, teaching the A-level Programme. This year, BST started teaching students from 3 to 18 years old. The first group of Senior School students only consisted of seven people. Standing next to the seven students are the Head of Sixth Form, Mr Lennon and the Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Ms Kaneta.

The first group of Year 13 students officially graduated after the A-level exams in the summer of 2012. They joined universities across the globe, including University College London (UK), Central St Martins (UK), Sheffield University (UK), Cape Town University (South Africa), and International Christian University (Japan).

The first group of Year 13 students officially graduated after the A-level exams in the summer of 2012. They joined universities across the globe, including University College London (UK), Central St Martins (UK), Sheffield University (UK), Cape Town University (South Africa), and International Christian University (Japan).

On 12 May 2019, BST opened a purpose-built sports facility at Nagasawa, Kanagawa. It has a large sports field, cricket nets, skateboard ramps, changing rooms and a clubhouse. This enabled the School’s sports teams and clubs to train at BST Nagasawa and host competitive home fixtures, tournaments and significant events.

On 12 May 2019, BST opened a purpose-built sports facility at Nagasawa, Kanagawa. It has a large sports field, cricket nets, skateboard ramps, changing rooms and a clubhouse. This enabled the School’s sports teams and clubs to train at BST Nagasawa and host competitive home fixtures, tournaments and significant events.

In September 2022, BST opened its new Senior School Study Centre for Year 12 and Year 13 students. Located just outside the gate of Showa Women’s University, the facility has independent study spaces, group learning areas, meeting and collaboration rooms and dedicated University guidance offices.

In September 2022, BST opened its new Senior School Study Centre for Year 12 and Year 13 students. Located just outside the gate of Showa Women’s University, the facility has independent study spaces, group learning areas, meeting and collaboration rooms and dedicated University guidance offices.

In 2023, the new Primary School Campus at Azabudai Hills opened. For the first time in BST’s distinguished history, Primary School students from Nursery to Year 6 were united on one campus.

In 2023, the new Primary School Campus at Azabudai Hills opened. For the first time in BST’s distinguished history, Primary School students from Nursery to Year 6 were united on one campus.