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Former Prime Minister Margret Thatcher opening The British School in Tokyo

Since its opening in 1989, The British School in Tokyo has continually grown and flourished, with a commitment to excellence – delivering British international education founded in the English National Curriculum and embracing all its Japanese setting and international community provides.

Throughout the school’s history, families have been attracted to BST by its outstanding reputation for academic excellence, strong support for students, high-quality teaching and learning and, of course, its central city location.

Over the years, BST has grown, and new facilities have been opened thanks to the strong support and partnership with Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen (SKG) and Showa Women's University (SWU). Firstly, within Shibuya itself, and by 2006 in at SWU in Sangenjaya.

1989 

Inaugural Primary School (also known as Elementary School) Shibuya campus opened in central Tokyo.

Opened by the then UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. 

1993 

BST had grown to over 200.

Teaching children from ages 3 to 10.

(Nursery/Kindergarten through to Primary/Elementary School)

1998 

BST relocated to a larger Shibuya campus.

Providing a stimulating environment for over 300 children aged 3 to 11.

2000 

Opened a Second Shibuya campus.

Accommodating students aged 13 and above from across the globe.

2006 

Opened its facility on the Showa Women’s University campus.

Establishing a growing reputation for academic excellence, care for individual student needs and a happy, international environment.

2006-2010

Upper Primary Years relocated to the Showa campus at Sangenjaya.

Allowing expansion to 4 classes in each year group on the Shibuya campus. 

2006-2010

Introduced new year groups at the top of the Secondary School (also known as Middle & High School).  BST now teaches students from ages 3 to 16 years old.

2010-2011 

Introduction of the Senior School (Year 12 and Year 13) and an A-Level Programme. BST now teaches students from ages 3 to 18 years old.

2012 

The first students graduated from Year 13.

Students moved on to some of the most prestigious universities around the world.

2019 

Launched a new central Tokyo Primary School campus project.  In partnership with the Mori Building Corporation, BST confirmed planning for a new Primary Campus in Toranomon Azabudai.*

2023 

The new Primary School campus is scheduled to open. The enviable facilities will support the very best British style international education.

*The partnership with Mori Building Corporation, one of Japan’s leading real estate developers, will enable BST to open a new Primary School campus within the prestigious Toranamon – Azabudai commercial, residential and educational urban development, subject to the approval process.
The new campus with its outstanding facilities is scheduled to open in August 2023.
 
For children from Nursery to Year 6, this campus will replace the current facilities for Primary children at Shibuya and Showa. The Secondary School will continue to flourish within its state-of-the-art facilities on the campus of Showa Women’s University.
 
BST currently provides world-class education to over 1,000 students representing 65 nationalities in our two campuses within Tokyo. Students are able to start in Nursery classes for children aged 3 and continue their education through to Year 13 before moving on to the world's most prestigious universities.

BST has developed a reputation as a leading international school in Japan and Asia and is moving forward in new and exciting directions to provide its students with transformative learning experiences. As an academically high-achieving school, BST ensures students develop their talents and interests and have exposure to many opportunities throughout their time at the school. The school is committed to providing a holistic experience for the students and ensuring they grow up forming strong values and a commitment to their and others' success.

The School’s mission is to nurture each student’s unique potential and strive to help them create a strong sense of self-built around purpose and passion. While the School aims to nurture students with the following values:
 

  • We strive to achieve our personal best.
  • We are honest and show kindness, compassion and respect for others.
  • We are curious, creative and innovative in our thinking.
  • We embrace diversity and celebrate individuality.
  • We are internationally minded and culturally aware.
  • We have a sense of social and environmental responsibility.