Lower School | Year 7-9

We believe that the Lower School is a crucial period for pupils establishing the personal and intellectual habits necessary for their success at RSJ and in the world beyond. Our focus is, therefore, threefold. We aim to engage our pupils in a broad and rigorous academic experience: offering intellectually challenging and demanding material in all of their subjects. We also aim to allow pupils the freedom and opportunity to find and develop their academic passions.

Finally we begin the process of developing the characteristics necessary for our pupils to become empowered and autonomous: to make reflection a habit; to be thoughtful enquirers; to find resilience and versatility in the face of challenge and failure; to think globally and act locally and to be confident communicators and collaborators when stepping out into the intellectual unknown.

Middle School | IGCSE

The Middle School curriculum at RSJ offers both breadth and depth of study, primarily based on the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

The IGCSE is an international version of the compulsory school examinations in England and Wales which, due to their global outlook and thorough academics, are used by both international schools and top UK independent schools, including Rugby UK.

As the most popular examinations worldwide for 14-16 year olds, the IGCSEs are seen as excellent preparation for A Level and other post-16 qualifications. The courses follow a prescribed curriculum administered by examination boards in England. At RSJ, we use four examination boards to administer our examinations: Cambridge, AQA, OxfordAQA and Pearson Edexcel.

Sixth Form | A Level

The Sixth Form at RSJ allows pupils to immerse themselves in advanced study through the A-level curriculum. Recognised by universities around the world, A-level qualifications allow pupils to enjoy the satisfaction of taking control over their chosen subjects and, in the process, begin to mould their futures.

A-level courses are academically demanding. Success requires a willingness to be scholarly and creative, curious and critical, determined and ambitious, to develop ideas independently and collaboratively. Departments strive to push pupils beyond their perceived limits. Those with the interest and ability necessary to apply to the world’s top universities will be supported and encouraged.

Our Campus

Just 30 minutes from Central Tokyo by Tsukuba Express Line and part of the Kashiwanoha Smart City and international campus town, RSJ proudly sits alongside other world-leading academic and research institutions including Japan’s top universities Chiba University and Tokyo University.

In addition to regular classrooms, RSJ pupils have access to international-standard learning and co-curricular spaces including science rooms, visual art studios, gallery, design & technology rooms, medical centre, lecture theatre, 25m indoor swimming pool, Blackbox theatre, Harlequin floor Dance Studio, Debate room, Sixth-form Centre, Library, Cafeteria, Reading rooms, Music rooms and recording studios, Gymnasium, Rugby and soccer field, Tennis Courts, Multi-purpose courts Dining Hall and Common Rooms.

Boarding

RSJ pupils will quickly learn that boarding life is dynamic, fun, and active. Boarders make the most of all the School facilities and have round-the-clock access to staff expertise supporting academic progress and pastoral development.

RSJ offers parents and pupils the ability to choose a boarding option that suits them. Full (7-day) boarders will reside in the new RSJ purpose-built boarding Houses, where they will be looked after 7-days a week and enjoy additional activities as well as the use of the school’s new facilities each evening and over every weekend during term time.

Weekly boarders will stay overnight at RSJ in a boarding House from Monday to Friday (5-day boarding), returning to school on a Sunday night.

British Style Inquiry-Based Learning

At RSJ, we are proud to offer an authentic British boarding school experience in the heart of Japan — just 30 minutes from central Tokyo. One key aspect of this is our commitment to British-style inquiry-based learning, which goes beyond memorising facts and absorbing knowledge, to cultivating critical thinking, source evaluation, independent learning, creativity, and resilience. These skills are not only essential for academic success, but also highly valued by universities and employers worldwide.

Our approach is simple but impactful: foster critical thinking and make learning engaging, meaningful, and lasting. Rooted in cutting-edge pedagogy, our teaching methods ensure that pupils do not just learn facts —they become curious, active participants in their subjects. In doing so, we prepare them not just for exams, but for life.