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The Japanese School in London

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Japanese
Fees £7,368
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1976
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English
Strengths Languages, Sport, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

The Japanese School in London is a full‑time independent, mixed‑age school located at 87 Creffield Road, Acton. It follows the Japanese national curriculum (MEXT) for both primary and secondary, with an English department offering English conversation classes to develop fluency. The school operates under the Japanese Ministry of Education and is accredited by MEXT as a primary and secondary school, and it has overseas educational institution status in the UK. The campus occupies a historic three‑storey building with facilities including an all‑weather running track, an indoor gymnasium, an all‑weather playing field and a well‑stocked library of Japanese books. ICT is integrated to support learning and to foster independent, self‑motivated students. The school places emphasis on intercultural understanding through local exchanges, field trips, and community involvement, with student and parent leadership structures and class councils that connect Acton, Brent and Croydon sites. A bus network supports travel for pupils and families.

87 Creffield Road, Acton, London W3 9PU

The Essentials

The Japanese School in London has 300 pupils, instruction in Japanese.

Location
87 Creffield Road, Acton, London W3 9PU. Acton, in the London Borough of Ealing, West London. The building is a historic, all‑brick, partly three‑storey structure with a history of over 100 years, and has facilities including an all‑weather playing field, indoor gymnasium and a library.

Stages
Age range 6–15.

Type
Independent, mixed gender, day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Provides for the children of expatriates who are working in London; the majority are expatriate children.

Country affiliation
Japan

Religious affiliation
None

Bus service
Parent-operated school bus; From the first grade, pupils may use the bus; there are two routes operated by a parents' bus committee; information available on the website; not available for new first-year students until late April due to scheduling.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Governing Body whose members are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Governing Body includes corporate governors from Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Mitsubishi Corporation International (Europe) Plc, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Canon Europe Limited, and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., plus Governor Mr. Kiyoshi Nobuta (The Japanese School in London) and Governor Mr. Hiroshi Saito (The Japanese Saturday School in London). The Chair of Governors is Mr. Toyohiro Nunosawa and the Safeguarding Governor is Ms. Atsuko Shimizu.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Japanese School in London ranges from GBP 7,368 for 2026/27.

*Application / Entrance Fee*
- Entrance fee (for transfer pupils only): GBP 1,684 (VAT included).

*Tuition Fees (all year groups)*
- Annual tuition: GBP 7,368 (VAT included).
- Termly tuition: GBP 2,456 per term (school year billed in three terms).

*Billing Schedule and Payment Terms*
- Tuition is billed and payable each term; the termly amount is GBP 2,456, giving an annual total of GBP 7,368. Payments are expected at the start of each term. VAT is included in the published amounts.

*School Bus / Transport Fees and Terms*
- Monthly bus rate (from the second term of 2026): GBP 1,100 per month.
- Typical term billing for the bus (examples shown): first term billed as GBP 3,600 (GBP 900 × 4 months), second term billed as GBP 4,400 (GBP 1,100 × 4 months). Bus charges are collected in a single lump sum at the start of each term.
- Bus-fee refunds: once bus fees are paid they are not refunded.

*Boarding*
- The school operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees.

*Other Costs and Typical Additional Charges*
- Parents are responsible for year-specific learning supplies and notebooks; the school provides detailed supplies lists by year/grade. (Supplies specifications are issued by year group.)
- The school operates a parent-run school-bus system with the additional charges noted above; families should allow for the bus charge if they require transport.

*Refund Information*
- Bus fees paid are non-refundable.

*Fee Payment Options and Practical Payment Details*
- Tuition and related school payments are billed termly and are payable at the start of each term. The school uses electronic bank payment (internet banking / bank transfer) as the standard method for receiving fee payments and issues payment instructions and bank details on its payment forms. Overpayment and refund handling (where applicable) are processed administratively with small administrative charges applied in some payment documents.

Contact details for administrative / payment enquiries: Tel: 020 8993 7145; Email: ron-nichi@thejapaneseschool.ltd.uk.
Academics

The Japanese School in London teaches Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
The Japanese School London follows the Japanese national curriculum (MEXT) for primary and secondary. At The Japanese School London, we follow the Japanese curriculum called MEXT. Our mission is to provide students with a holistic learning experience, where they can excel academically while also developing essential life skills. Our school is committed to promoting intercultural understanding and creating a unique educational environment that nurtures diversity and fosters growth. Primary Curriculum and Secondary Curriculum follow MEXT guidelines; see the MOE resources linked for each level. The English Department provides an English curriculum with English conversation classes taught by expert teachers to develop fluency and practical language skills.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school delivers a PSHE, SMSC and RSE curriculum. The program is taught to Primary 6 (Key Stage 3) and Junior 2 & 3 (Key Stage 5) and is described as equivalent to Moral Education and Integral Studies. Students participate in fair elections for leadership positions and have a voice in school decisions through surveys. The curriculum supports citizenship and social, moral and cultural development and addresses health and wellbeing. All staff receive safeguarding training to support student welfare and promote a safe learning environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The SENCOs are Noriko Tanaka and Kaori Yamaguchi. Inquiries about SEN can be directed to them at 020-8993-7145.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English language development is supported through English classes and English conversation classes. The aim is to improve communication skills in English.

Mental Wellbeing
Safety and wellbeing are priorities. The school has safeguarding and e-safety policies in place to protect students from harm and online risks. Online safety covers content, contact and conduct, with monitoring and reporting procedures. Relationship Education for lower school and Relationships and Sex Education for upper school is compulsory. Staff receive safeguarding training, and the policy is reviewed annually.

Safeguarding
The school has a safeguarding policy designed to protect students from harm or abuse. A dedicated safeguarding team supports every student to ensure safety and welfare. The DSL and DDSL roles are in place, with named contacts for safeguarding inquiries. A safeguarding governor provides governance oversight. The school provides ongoing safeguarding training for staff and maintains robust procedures for concerns, including those related to extremism or radicalisation. Inquiries about safeguarding can be directed to the main contact number and designated safeguarding staff listed on the school's contact channels.
Parent Experience

History
The Japanese School in London began as the Japanese Language Society in September 1965 under the Nippon Club and later became a Saturday school in 1974. The Nippon Club founded a full-time Japanese school in May 1975, and it was registered as a full-fledged Japanese school on 18 June 1976. Day-to-day operations started in October 1976, with the primary section at the Nippon Club and the secondary section at the Embassy of Japan Information Centre. The school moved to Camden in 1977 and to its current Acton site in 1987; it is the only full-time Japanese school in the UK with overseas educational institution status from MEXT and approval by the British government as a school corporation. As of 20 April 2023, there were 296 students (204 primary, 92 secondary) and 36 teachers and staff, and two school bus routes are operated by a parents' bus committee.

Community
The London Japanese School offers an enrichment program and numerous trips and visits to broaden students' experiences. The school integrates PSHE and citizenship education (SMSC) into its curriculum, with opportunities to discuss moral issues and to engage in learning through Integrated Studies and external visits. Parents actively participate in school operations, including a parents' bus committee that runs two bus routes. The school hosts cultural events, including an annual culture festival with student performances and parental involvement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Japanese School in London is housed in a historic three-storey brick building in Acton, West London. The site dates back to 1900 and was originally The Haberdasher Aske's Girls' School; it has since been extended and reconfigured to align with Japanese educational content while harmonising with the local environment. The campus features an all-weather running track, an indoor gymnasium, and an all-weather playing field, along with a library that holds a large collection of Japanese books. Approximately 300 pupils study there in a relaxed atmosphere. The educational goal is to develop independent learners who can live and work effectively in an international society.

Sports Facilities
The campus includes an all-weather running track and an all-weather playing field for outdoor and physical education, together with an indoor gymnasium for indoor PE. These facilities support year-round physical education and a broad range of sports for pupils across the age range. The spaces are designed to be safe and accessible, enabling regular participation in athletic activities as part of school life.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a library with a large collection of Japanese books. The building has been extended and reconstructed to accommodate Japanese educational content while aligning with the national curriculum. The school is accredited by MEXT as a primary and secondary school and follows Japan's Courses of Study for elementary and junior high. All education is conducted in accordance with the Basic Education Act, the School Education Act and the Courses of Study Guidance. The campus uses ICT to support learning and aims to develop independent, self-motivated learners.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school runs events such as entrance ceremonies, graduation ceremonies and sport day, and provides opportunities for parents to observe lessons and participate in consultations. Student council activities are promoted to foster leadership and a sense of contribution. The school conducts local exchanges and field trips to broaden international understanding. English language activities and English conversation classes are offered to take advantage of the London location. Additional school life activities and exchanges help pupils engage with both Japanese and international communities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Japanese School in London promotes international understanding and the use of ICT as part of its learning. It conducts local school exchanges and field trips to extend academic experiences. It also offers English classes and English conversation to strengthen communication in English.

Arts & Creative
The school emphasizes creative expression through books and expressive activities, supported by ICT. It uses books as a means of expression in classroom activities. The emphasis on expressive learning supports students' creative development.

Cultural & Language
International understanding is fostered through exchange activities and ICT. English language development is supported with English classes and English conversation classes to improve communication in English. The London setting provides opportunities to engage with diverse cultures during these activities.

Social & Hobbies
The school revitalizes school events and student council activities to develop 'contribution' and 'elegance' and to prepare students for the international community. The Class Councils promote cooperation between the school and parents/guardians, supporting students' growth and safety. These Councils include parents, guardians, and teachers and undertake activities to assist educational work.

Community & Service
Parent participation is organized through the Class Councils for Acton, Brent, and Croydon sites; these councils aim to support educational activities and the welfare of pupils. They organize activities to assist the school and address safety, and they are voluntary with involvement from parents/guardians. The councils are chaired by parents and include elected members, aligning with activities to support the school.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership structures exist with a Board Chairman and committee leaders; the Saturday School London Class Council has an Executive Office and elected roles. Student and parent leadership are formalized through class councils and site-level committees that meet regularly to guide school actions.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school offers facilities including an all-weather running track, indoor gymnasium, and a school library with many Japanese books. It is located in a residential area with safety measures in place. Two school bus routes are operated by a parent-led bus committee to support travel across Acton, Brent, and Croydon sites.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches Japanese through the Japanese Curriculum and English through the English Curriculum, including English conversation classes.

Bilingual Teaching
The school runs both a Japanese Curriculum and an English Curriculum, providing instruction in Japanese and English.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Guide (Academic year 2026). Applications should be submitted by email. For enrollment in the second term, enrollment applications began at 9:00 a.m. local time on June 8, 2026. If the number of applicants for a grade exceeds the available places, a lottery will be held on days when applications are received (9:00–15:00) to determine admission order. Required documents include the Enrollment Application Form; the Student and Family Environment Questionnaire (and related survey) with a photo attached; and a Declaration. Applications and inquiries can be sent to ron-nichi@thejapaneseschool.ltd.uk or by calling 020 8993 7145.
School Events
The school has not added events
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