Beyond Classroom

While The British School in Tokyo (BST) is widely recognised for sporting, musical, and theatrical excellence, these achievements are underpinned by an exceptionally broad and purposeful extracurricular programme. With over 130 clubs offered each year, students across all age groups are encouraged to explore interests, build skills, and develop confidence beyond the classroom. A defining feature of student life at BST is the BST Outdoors programme, centred on annual residential trips for students from Year 1 through to Year 13. These experiences—ranging from river rafting and canyoning to mountain biking, hiking, and camping—support personal growth, resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery in real-world settings. Sport and Physical Education play an integral role from Nursery to Year 13. Delivered by specialist teachers, the programme promotes a lifelong love of physical activity while emphasising teamwork, respect, resilience, and sportsmanship. Students progress from fundamental skill development to representing the school at local, national, and international levels, including events such as the FOBISIA Games. Swimming is a cornerstone of the curriculum, taught from Nursery by specialist coaches, with weekly swimming and water safety lessons in Years 1–6 and continued participation through Key Stage 3. The Performing Arts are equally embedded in school life. Drama is a compulsory part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum, with students developing performance techniques through a wide range of texts, styles, and theatrical traditions. At Key Stage 4, students may opt for IGCSE Drama, while music pathways extend from specialist-led Early Years and Primary programmes through GCSE Music in Years 10–11 and IBDP Music in Years 12–13, preparing students for top universities and music conservatoires worldwide. Visual Arts progression begins in the Early Years with exploratory mark-making and material use, advancing through Key Stages 1 and 2 into more refined techniques, historical and contemporary artist studies, and the use of sketchbooks to document creative thinking. Purpose-built art studio facilities support students in developing technical skill, creativity, and critical reflection. Together, BST’s co-curricular, outdoor, sporting, and creative programmes ensure students experience a rich, balanced education—one that nurtures talent, character, and global-mindedness well beyond the classroom.