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For many, the idea of a boarding school conjures scenes straight out of a classic novel — strict teachers, cramped dorms, and a life dominated by textbooks and bland meals. This perception is outdated and overlooks the key role these institutions can play in equipping today’s youth for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Rugby School Japan (RSJ) is a champion of this new era of British international education. Established in 2023 as the second international school under the historic 458-year-old Rugby School UK, RSJ is situated in the heart of Kashiwanoha Smart City, just 30 minutes from the centre of Tokyo. This co-educational school caters to students aged 11 to 18, providing both day and boarding options.
RSJ’s philosophy revolves around “The Whole Person, The Whole Point.” It means students are encouraged to excel in academics, arts, sports, and life skills, empowering them with courage and resilience in the face of challenges. A longer school day allows for a diverse range of co-curricular activities, covering personal and academic enrichment, visual and performing arts, athletics, leadership training, and healthy competition. This holistic approach equips students not only with valuable skills but also with a strong sense of character.
Parents like Chuk Besher would know this well. Not only did his son adapt to boarding “extremely well” thanks to the care given by the Housemaster and his staff, but the only challenge his family faces is that his son is “so happy to be at RSJ every day, that he would neglect to call us often to say he missed us!”
When asked about the changes he’s seeing in his son, Besher says, “We find our son more confident and driven than ever. He is flourishing as a young man and is finding a place in the world through his experience as RSJ.”
Both Besher and his wife were further impressed by the school’s leadership, the calibre of its faculty, and its location — close enough for weekend visits yet offering a distinct learning environment conducive to focused study. “The daily structured homework time and the support immediately available by rotating teachers is outstanding,” he adds. “The tutor assigned to him was excellent, and she gave him all the guidance, academic support, and encouragement that he needed.”
Life as a boarder at RSJ is anything but dull. Students have full access to the school’s facilities and round-the-clock support from dedicated staff. Besher’s son is now more athletic than before and has enjoyed attending sessions with British Airways and Rolls Royce representatives who visited RSJ.
But for all its co-curricular offerings, RSJ is unashamedly focused on academic excellence. The school leverages the British curriculum, offering IGCSE and A Level programmes. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1, students receive personalised attention and guidance from faculty members recruited from the UK and other countries, ensuring their path to success at top universities around the globe.
Leading the charge is Principal Tony Darby, who brings over 20 years of experience from Rugby School UK and St Edward’s School, Oxford. Darby’s leadership ensures that the school prioritises academic excellence while nurturing an environment where personal growth and character development are equally valued.
Rugby School Japan students have structured evening study sessions and weekly meetings with their primary tutors. Source: Rugby School Japan
“To accommodate learning outside of the classroom, our timetable is from 8:15 am to 5:30 pm on Monday to Friday and also 8:15 am to 12:30 pm on Saturdays, which allows us to offer a comprehensive enrichment programme which includes co-curricular activities such as sports, expressive arts and literature, personal enrichment and development activities, as well as opportunities to become involved in the local community,” Darby says.
Such exposure has given students the chance to develop a global perspective and a commitment to social responsibility. Just ask Besher. “Most of all, the boarding experience is preparing our son to be a responsible member of his immediate and extended community,” he says.
Besher can assess his son’s progress thanks to the school’s frequent and quality updates, including lovely Instagram posts that showcase school life and his son’s well-being. “It’s a thrill to see the smiling faces of the students and our son,” Besher says. “The term reports are well documented and spot on as well. Whenever we have academic questions, our primary tutor is quick to connect us with the teacher in charge of the subject.”
The best part? Upon graduating, students join the Rugbeian Group, a global network of alumni, and further strengthen their connections with fellow boarders from their House, just like the “Rupert Brooke alumni.” This network offers invaluable support and connection long after graduation.
