Parent
The school presents itself as an English international institution, yet many teachers are not native speakers. Native teachers appear to be highlighted mainly for promotional purposes rather than forming the majority in classrooms.
The parent community can be challenging, with a culture that sometimes feels more focused on appearances than genuine interpersonal connection. Many parents are of Chinese origin, alongside Koreans, Japanese, and westerners.
I also have concerns about how parent associations are managed, particularly regarding access to personal information. It has been noted that some PTA members, including leadership, may have affiliations with political parties in their native countries. While this may simply reflect personal background, it underscores the importance of transparency and clear boundaries around governance and data privacy.
↳ Reply from The British School in Tokyo 
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few points for families who may read this.
At The British School in Tokyo, every class is taught by a native English-speaking teacher. Approximately 95% of our teaching staff come from the UK, US, Australia, and other English-speaking countries. The remaining members of our teaching team were raised and educated in the UK, ensuring the same native fluency and high-standard pedagogical training expected of a modern British international school. In addition, we do have non-native English speaking teachers who are highly qualified and experienced in teaching French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.
In the Primary School, every class benefits from both a teacher and an education assistant. Education assistants come from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, contributing to the richness of our community; however, all classroom teaching is delivered by native English-speaking teachers.
We are proud of our diverse and welcoming parent community. During the 2024–2025 academic year, our 945 families represented 83 nationalities. While British families naturally form a significant group given our heritage, no other nationality is predominant, and we are committed to maintaining a balanced and inclusive international community.
Regarding the PTA and data privacy, the school has clear and robust policies outlining how personal information is managed. Parent volunteers do not have access to private student or family data beyond what is appropriate for their roles. Our parent body includes families from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including many who work in international organisations and embassies in Japan, and all PTA activities operate within the school’s governance framework. PTA volunteers - regardless of nationality or personal background - are required to uphold strict standards of privacy, professionalism, and neutrality.
We take all feedback seriously and continuously review our practices to ensure a safe, transparent, and enriching environment for our students and families. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly.
1 other review for The British School in Tokyo - (Reviews aren't verified )
Parent
Apologies, but the review dated 26 November 2025 is so far removed from our experience of BST that it reads like fantasy.
First, the comments regarding native English speakers are simply incorrect. Apart from the Japanese teachers and some of the admin staff (who are extremely fluent), every teacher I have met over the past two years has been a native English speaker, predominantly from the UK. This includes the second teacher in each class. The teachers are qualified, competent, and genuinely invested in the children. My child and his friends often visit their previous class and PE teachers simply to say hello, reflecting the strong relationships that have been built.
Second, while I am not involved in the PTA, I have very good relationships with many other parents. As with any community, the level of involvement depends on the time and energy people are able to contribute. As... read full review
