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The British School in Tokyo - Showa Campus

Japan, Tokyo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥2,920,000 - 3,030,000
Ages 12 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Co-educational
Opened 2007
Bus Service Yes
Part of
The British School in Tokyo
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The British School in Tokyo’s Showa Campus is located at Showa Women’s University in Taishido and opened in 2007. It serves Year 7 to Year 13 students. BST teaches a curriculum founded on the National Curriculum for England and in Key Stage 4 students follow an IGCSE programme taught by subject specialists. For senior students, BST states the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is now embedded as the pathway for Years 12–13, alongside the school’s IGCSE foundations. Students can also access broader programmes such as BST Outdoors, with trips that include outdoor activities in Okutama, Tokyo prefecture. BST also states it runs 130 extracurricular clubs across the school.

This campus is part of The British School in Tokyo

1 Chome-7-57 Taishido, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0004, Japan

The Essentials

The British School in Tokyo - Showa Campus has 1,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
The British School in Tokyo Showa Campus is located at Showa Women's University, 5th Building, 1-7-57 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-8533. It sits in Setagaya Ward and is two train stops from Shibuya, providing easy access to central Tokyo. The campus sits on a university campus with extensive facilities and resources for secondary students.

Stages
BST operates two central Tokyo campuses. The Showa Campus serves Year 7 to Year 13, while the Azabudai Hills Campus (the Primary campus) serves Nursery to Year 6, uniting BST's primary and secondary provision on separate sites.

Type
BST is co-educational and operates as a day school with no boarding facilities. The two campuses accommodate different age ranges: Azabudai Hills for Nursery to Year 6 and Showa Campus for Year 7 to Year 13.

Pupil Nationality Mix
BST represents students from over 65 nationalities; the school describes itself as multicultural and international. The most common nationalities are not published; BST does not provide a fixed local-to-international ratio in public materials.

Additional learning support
BST provides Learning Support Services, including Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), counselling and medical teams, to support students across year groups. ASDAN courses offer an alternative, practical pathway for some students, with in-class and targeted support available. The school also offers a dedicated counselling team to assist wellbeing and transitions.

Country affiliation
BST's curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England, reflecting its United Kingdom alignment, while the school operates in Japan.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not designated; BST emphasizes a diverse, international community and does not promote a single faith as part of its core identity.

School day structure
At Azabudai Hills Campus, students may bring their own lunch or have meals delivered by Kiwi Kitchen, while Showa Campus offers a canteen option for Year 10–13 via Showa Women's University. BST follows a three-term calendar with term dates published annually; some days end with midday dismissal, such as certain term days. Lunch and welfare arrangements are described in BST's School Operation details.

Bus service
A school bus service is available to BST families, connecting the two campuses; many students also use public transport given the central Tokyo locations. Public transport access and the presence of a campus-side bus option are noted in BST materials and independent guides.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
BST does not provide boarding facilities. Students must reside in Japan with at least one parent. The school does not sponsor or support student visas; students are expected to be dependents under their parents' visa and must have the appropriate visa in place before starting school.

Uniform Requirement
BST uniform can be purchased online through the official uniform supplier. A Uniform Guide and Uniform Policy govern requirements; orders can be delivered next business day and sent to either the Shibuya or Showa campus, with Friday collection available. The secondary school PE uniform is supplied by a separate company.

Food Options
Most students bring their own lunch. At the Azabudai Hills Campus, lunchtime meals can be delivered from Luca Deli for Nursery–Year 6 or Kiwi Kitchen for Year 3–Year 6. At the Showa Campus, Years 7 and above can order Kiwi Kitchen delivery, and there is a canteen for Year 10–13 run by Showa Women's University.

House System
BST uses a four-House system: Amaterasu, Bishamon, Izanami and Tsukiyomi. Inter-House competitions take place throughout the year in sports and arts, including Sports Day and the House Singing competition.

Governance and Ownership
BST is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees set strategic aims and the budget, appoint the senior leadership, and oversee policies and performance. The Board comprises a mix of parent and international members, and meetings are held regularly with governance structures described on the Trustees page.
Fees

Annual tuition at The British School in Tokyo - Showa Campus ranges from JPY 2,920,000 to JPY 3,030,000 for 2026/27.

Application and one‑time enrolment fees
- Application Fee: ¥40,000.
- Enrolment Fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): ¥500,000.
- Educational Resources Fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): ¥680,000.
- These one‑time fees for new students are non‑refundable and must be paid in full within two weeks of the invoice date for new admissions.

Tuition fees by year group (per full academic year and per term)
- Primary School (Nursery & Reception included): Annual tuition ¥2,820,000; Term 1 ¥980,000; Term 2 ¥940,000; Term 3 ¥900,000.
- Secondary School Year 7–Year 9: Annual tuition ¥2,840,000; Term 1 ¥990,000; Term 2 ¥950,000; Term 3 ¥900,000.
- Secondary School Year 10–Year 13: Annual tuition ¥2,930,000; Term 1 ¥1,030,000; Term 2 ¥980,000; Term 3 ¥920,000.
- Capital Development Tuition Fee (payable for all students): Annual ¥100,000; Term 1 ¥40,000; Term 2 ¥30,000; Term 3 ¥30,000. This charge is applied in addition to the regular tuition amounts listed above.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are normally issued 8–14 weeks before the end of the previous term.
- Payment deadlines:
- New students: all fees invoiced for new admissions must be paid in full within 2 weeks of the invoice date.
- Existing students: tuition for continuing students must be paid in full within 4 weeks of the invoice date.
- Accepted method for payment of school tuition and related fees: bank transfer only, from an account in the name of the registered parent or guardian, or from an account whose name has been notified to the school in writing in advance. The School does not accept cash for tuition payments.
- Mid‑term enrolment: fees for students who join after the start of a term are charged by term; attendance for any portion of a term requires payment for the full term or half a term depending on the enrolment date.
- Notice period on withdrawal: a minimum of one complete term's prior written notice is required; if proper notice is not given, one complete term's fees are payable in lieu of notice.
- Late payments: failure to pay may lead to prohibition of attendance, withholding of school records/reports, and reallocation of the student's place (the school may seek to reallocate a place no later than four weeks before the term begins). Parents remain responsible for timely payment even when a third party (for example an employer) pays the fees.

Boarding fees
- There is no boarding provision at the Showa campus; boarding fees do not apply. The campus operates as a day school.

Other costs and optional charges
- Costs explicitly included in tuition: routine textbooks required by all students, curriculum residential and day trips and events that are part of the curriculum.
- Costs not included in tuition (examples parents should expect): school lunches; non‑curriculum residential and day trips; specialist SEN support where applicable; some external examination fees; certain sports events and tournaments; instrumental (private) music lessons; and some optional clubs or activities. These items are charged separately when applicable.
- Uniform: school uniform is purchased through the official uniform suppliers. Orders for standard uniform for the campus can be placed online; the primary supplier accepts payment by bank transfer, PayPal or credit card. Secondary PE uniform is supplied by a different vendor with its own ordering channel. Expect to pay separately for uniform items.
- Extra / voluntary programmes: activities run by third parties (for example external sports academies or clubs) may carry separate membership or tuition charges. Parents should budget for optional extracurricular and incidental costs beyond the tuition and mandatory one‑time fees.

Refund information
- The School's refund position: fees are not refunded except where the required prior notice of withdrawal has been given as described in the notice period and a term has been wholly unattended. In other words, refunds are only considered where appropriate notice has been received and a full term is not attended.

Discounts, hardship and special arrangements
- Sibling discounts: the school does not offer standard sibling discounts. Payments for elder siblings are taken into account when assessing means for bursary decisions.
- Special postponement of fees: the Bursar may consider a special postponement of payment for existing students where verifiable and significant hardship is demonstrated. Any postponed arrangement is assessed case‑by‑case, subject to reassessment each term, and may be varied.
- Corporate Contribution Programme: an option exists for organisations to participate in a corporate contribution scheme under which companies make agreed donations to fund corporate scholarships; different billing/donation arrangements apply for participating organisations.

Accepted payment channels summary
- Tuition and mandatory school fees: bank transfer only (no cash). The transfer should be from an account in the name of the registered parent/guardian or another account previously notified in writing.
- Uniform and supplier charges: payable to the uniform vendor; accepted methods include bank transfer, PayPal and credit card (supplier site). Separate suppliers may have different payment methods for PE kit.

If further discrete line‑item detail is required (for example a full invoice breakdown for a particular year group or the cost of specific optional activities), those items are charged separately from the tuition and one‑time enrolment/educational resources fees listed above.
Academics

The British School in Tokyo - Showa Campus teaches IB (DP), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 12 to 18.

Curriculum
BST operates two campuses: Azabudai Hills Campus (Nursery to Year 6) and Showa Campus (Year 7 to Year 13), with the curriculum based on the English National Curriculum and taught in English. The Primary programme at Azabudai Hills delivers a broad, balanced, skill-based English National Curriculum with strong literacy and numeracy foundations and extensive extracurricular opportunities. In Secondary Showa (Year 7–11), core subjects include English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, and a Modern Foreign Language (French, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish), plus Core PE and Learning for Life and Work, with three additional subjects drawn from Art, Business, Computer Science, Drama, Economics, Geography, History, Music and Spanish. From August 2025 BST delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Years 12–13, with the last A Level cohort completing in 2026. BST previously introduced BTEC Level 3 in Enterprise and Sport from August 2024 to broaden the senior curriculum, and ASDAN remains available as an alternative pathway. Enquiry-based learning and the BST Learner Profile underpin teaching, with the English National Curriculum enhanced by concept-based enquiry and a focus on international-mindedness.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The British School in Tokyo (BST) integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into its approach to student wellbeing, treating wellbeing as both an ongoing, individual support need and a discrete area of focus. A multidisciplinary Student Support Services team delivers SEL-related support, including Social and Emotional Learning, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling and Medical care, to help students thrive academically and socially. The Learning Support team provides in-class and additional targeted support across all year groups, while the Social and Emotional Support team offers individual and group interventions to develop practical social skills and executive functioning. Staff work in collaboration with families to reinforce SEL strategies and ensure consistent support across home and school. Safeguarding is embedded in the wellbeing framework, with trained staff and established procedures to promote student safety and resilience.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
BST provides an inclusive learning environment with a dedicated Learning Support team that delivers specialised in-class and additional support across year groups. The school also offers ASDAN Courses as an alternative curriculum for students with special needs, and BST is currently the only school in Japan to offer ASDAN. The presence of Learning Support and ASDAN indicates provision for a range of needs within a mainstream setting, rather than a specialist SEN institution. BST does not describe itself as a specialist SEN institution on its public materials.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
BST welcomes students who require English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, with EAL specialists who work with students, their teachers, and their families to develop English proficiency so students can access the full curriculum confidently. EAL provision is implemented through BST's multidisciplinary Student Support Services, indicating coordinated support across classroom and school life.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Counselling team, social and emotional interventions, and medical care as part of BST's Student Support Services. Counselling involves one-to-one, class, and transition sessions, while the Social and Emotional Support team provides interventions to build emotional health and wellbeing alongside academic progress. BST emphasizes a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment as central to student happiness and resilience. BST Nurses and the Health & Safety structure underpin day-to-day wellbeing and safety, including health promotion and psychological care where needed.

Safeguarding
BST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all students, with a designated safeguarding framework and trained staff to respond to concerns. The school maintains a Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) team that coordinates safeguarding responses and provides staff with guidance on safety and child protection, with regular training aligned to international best practices and local regulations. The BST Safeguarding Policy informs trustees, staff, students, families, external providers and volunteers about responsibilities for safeguarding, and procedures are linked to Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. For Showa Campus, the Designated Safeguarding Lead is Kelly Diaz, and contact details are provided for reporting concerns.
Parent Experience

History
BST opened in 1989 with 63 students at its Shibuya campus and was inaugurated by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. By 1993 BST had grown to over 200 students, teaching children aged 3 to 10. In 1998 BST relocated to a larger Shibuya campus to accommodate over 300 children aged 3 to 11. In 2006 BST opened a facility on the Showa Women's University campus, establishing the BST Showa campus, and Upper Primary Years moved there between 2006 and 2010. The Senior School was introduced in 2010–2011, with the first Year 13 graduates in 2012; August 2022 saw the opening of a Senior School Study Centre at Showa, and August 2023 saw the opening of the Azabudai Hills Primary Campus; in 2025 the Secondary School was refurbished.

Community
BST's community is diverse, with families from all backgrounds, cultures, languages and ethnicities, and the PTA invites every parent to get involved. BST operates across two central Tokyo campuses, with the Azabudai Hills Campus housing Nursery to Year 6 and the Showa Campus housing Year 7 to Year 13, creating a connected urban community. The community hosts regular events and performances, including BST's 35th anniversary concert with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at Hitomi Hall in March 2025. The Spring Fair 2025 brought 1,000+ attendees and highlighted sustainability initiatives with student involvement and community participation.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA welcomes and represents all BST parents in fostering a sense of engagement and belonging in both the school and the wider community. The PTA is diverse, inclusive, and engaged, with members from many backgrounds and languages. Over the course of each academic year, the PTA collaborates closely with the school to organise monthly, termly, and annual events, including monthly coffee mornings. Charity drives and fundraisers take place each term, and on an annual basis formal galas support initiatives such as the Annual Fund. All PTA activities are volunteer-based and led by an Executive Committee. For more information, parents can contact pta@bst.ac.jp.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Showa Campus provides a university-like environment with modern classrooms, libraries and study spaces. The campus houses two art studios, Computer Science and Science laboratories, two sports halls, three sports pitches, and an on-site swimming pool. In August 2022 BST opened the Senior School Study Centre to provide Year 12 and 13 students with independent and collaborative study spaces, plus a conference room for student leadership meetings and a Higher Education counselling area. The campus includes the School Building and Senior School Study Centre, along with spaces such as Astro Athletic Field, Green Hall and Hitomi Hall for performances, a canteen and social spaces like the Global Lounge and The Boulevard. The on-site facilities also include dedicated exam rooms and reception areas to support senior students.

Sports Facilities
Two sports halls and three sports pitches support PE, team training and fixtures. The Showa Campus also includes an on-site swimming pool.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include modern classrooms, libraries and dedicated Computer Science and Science laboratories, and the Senior School Study Centre provides targeted spaces for higher education guidance and leadership meetings.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Two art studios support visual arts on campus, and performance spaces such as Green Hall and Hitomi Hall enable music, drama and assemblies. Social spaces include the Global Lounge and The Boulevard.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
BST Showa Campus offers extensive academic activities beyond class time. Secondary clubs include MUN (Model United Nations), Debating, KS4 Maths Club, KS5 STEP Maths Club and VEX Robotics. These activities strengthen research and problem-solving alongside the curriculum.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities are strong at Showa Campus. Key music ensembles include Advanced Secondary String Ensemble, Brass Band, BST Orchestra and Chamber Choir. Drama, Film Review, Photography and Writing Club are among other offerings. Externally Run Clubs also expand opportunities in calligraphy, dance and other arts partnerships.

Cultural & Language
Language development is supported through multiple clubs. These include French Enrichment, Japanese and Spanish for Learners. NHK Learning Japanese and Japanese Calligraphy appear through externally run clubs. These activities promote cultural awareness alongside language proficiency.

Social & Hobbies
Social and hobby activities include Board Games, Debating and E-Sports. Additional options include Creative Writing, Photography and Space Explorers. Clubs foster peer-to-peer learning and social connections.

Community & Service
Community engagement is encouraged via Creative Crafts and Volunteering and Sustainability clubs. These projects provide opportunities to contribute to local and global communities. They help students develop service-minded attitudes.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is integral at Showa Campus. Model United Nations builds diplomacy and public speaking; the Senior School Study Centre supports prefect roles and leadership meetings. Participation in MUN helps students build confidence and teamwork.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lifestyle and wellbeing are central, with sport emphasised from Year 7 to Year 13. The programme includes swimming, Football, Netball, Badminton and Yoga. These activities promote health, resilience and teamwork.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction at BST is English. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided to assist non-native English speakers in accessing the curriculum. Language learning is supported through dedicated language learning spaces, including a Language Classroom at the Azabudai Hills Campus, within BST's overall English-language, international education model.
Reputation

Awards
Awards won by BST in the past 5 years (awards credited to the school, not individuals or students):
- Company of the Year, British Business Awards (BCCJ), 2025 — BST was named Company of the Year at the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan's British Business Awards, a recognition of excellence, leadership and impact within Japan's international community and aligned with BST's 35th anniversary year.

Accreditations
The British School in Tokyo (BST), including its Showa Campus, holds the following accreditations.
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation — BST is the first school in Japan to receive Patron's Accreditation from the Council of British International Schools, confirming adherence to COBIS standards for this accreditation level and signaling high-quality British international education.
- CIS Membership — BST became a member of the Council of International Schools in 2023, aligning with CIS's drivers for purpose and direction, high-quality student learning, wellbeing and global citizenship, and gaining access to CIS programs and services.
- IB World School (IBDP authorization) — BST was officially authorised as an IB World School and will offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) to Years 12–13 from August 2025.
- BTEC Centre — BST was approved as a BTEC centre, enabling delivery of BTEC Level 3 in Enterprise and Sport from August 2024.
- ASDAN Centre — BST was approved as an ASDAN centre, and is the only school in Japan offering ASDAN courses.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Process (Showa Campus, Year 7–13)

1. Check Eligibility. Review BST's admissions policy and guidelines, and verify the child's age against the UK year-group system to determine the correct year group. Showa Campus serves students from Year 7 (around 11 years old) to Year 13 (up to 18 years old). The school is located at Showa Women's University, and enrollment materials specify the age-to-year alignment for ongoing intakes.

2. Complete Enquiry Form. Submit the Enquiry Form and create an account to begin the process. An admissions representative will contact you within 1–2 business days after the enquiry is received. If you already have an account, use the existing one rather than submitting a new enquiry.

3. Application Forms. Access to the Application Form is provided after the Enquiry Form is reviewed. An application fee of 40,000 JPY (non‑refundable) is payable on the Application Form. Ensure all required information is accurate before submitting the form.

4. Confirmation of Application. After submitting all checklist items and receiving a reference from the applicant's current school or teacher, the applicant is placed in the school's application pool. An interview or assessment is scheduled after documents and references are reviewed, and when space is foreseen for the applicant.

5. Interview/Assessment. If required, interviews or assessments begin in late February and continue into late June. The schedule depends on space availability and the applicant's year group. Parents should plan for possible in-person interactions as part of the decision process.

6. Admissions Decisions. Admissions decisions begin in early March and continue through the summer. For year groups that are full, openings may not be clear until May or later, so families should not expect immediate offers in all cases.

7. Enrolment and Fees. If a place is offered, enrolment steps proceed with the school's fee schedule: a non‑refundable enrolment fee of 500,000 JPY and an additional Educational Resources fee of 680,000 JPY are due as part of joining the school. Tuition is billed annually with per‑term breakdowns (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3) and is payable by bank transfer within the terms specified. Invoices are usually issued 8–14 weeks before the end of the previous term, and existing students' tuition is due within 4 weeks of the invoice date; the school does not accept cash payments.

Notes: BST shows that Showa Campus is Year 7–13 and located at Showa Women's University, with Showa address and contact details provided on the campus page. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are open.

Scholarships
Scholarships and Financial Support

Bursaries: BST offers a limited number of bursaries intended to assist eligible families who cannot meet the full fees. The bursaries cover up to 100% of the enrolment fees and up to 50% of tuition (including Capital Development Funds). The total number of bursaries is limited to about 7% of the student roll, and the availability may vary by year. Bursaries are not awarded to Nursery or Reception students and are subject to annual reassessment based on family means and progress. Eligibility requires meeting normal admissions requirements plus evidence of financial need and a demonstrable benefit of a British education; decisions are final and may not be renewed every year. The 2025–26 bursary cycle closed, with plans for the 2026–27 cycle to be published in February 2026.

Corporate Contribution Programme (CCP): BST also operates a CCP, a program that allows organizations with foreign employees to contribute to the school to fund corporate scholarships for dependents. The CCP is tax-efficient for participating companies and supports scholarships funded by corporate donations. To join, a company should contact the Development Office (or complete the form) to initiate the process; the arrangement can also be updated for existing enrollees. This program helps fund the school's scholarship offerings and facility improvements.

Waitlist
Waitlist / Pool (Showa Campus, Year 7–13)

BST uses an application pool system for admissions when year-group spaces are limited. After you submit the complete application and a reference is received from the current school or teacher, the applicant is placed in the application pool. Any interview or assessment is scheduled once space is foreseen for the applicant. Admissions decisions begin in early March and continue through summer; for full year groups, openings may not be clear until May or later, so applicants may remain in the pool for an extended period.
School Events
The school has not added events
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