Charting New Territory
The British School in Tokyo is transitioning to the International Baccalaureate for senior students.
The British School in Tokyo (BST) plans to transition from the A Level curriculum to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students in Years 12 and 13.
This strategic shift reflects the school’s commitment to providing an educational experience that aligns with the evolving aspirations and needs of its diverse and dynamic student community.
BST is currently a candidate school* for the IBDP and aims to become an authorized IB World School, with the last A-Level cohort running from 2024 to 2026. The (I)GCSE will remain for Year 11, and there will be no changes for other year groups.
STUDENT SUCCESS
Founded in 1989, BST is the largest British international school in Japan. The school currently serves a diverse international community of students with 65 nationalities. While A Levels remain a respected qualification, the school has recognized the need to evolve in response to its changing demographic. The IBDP, a globally recognized qualification offered by thousands of schools worldwide, provides a broader and more international approach to education.
The IBDP offers a comprehensive education, requiring students to study six subjects across disciplines. It encourages critical thinking through Theory of Knowledge and promotes holistic development via Creativity, Activity and Service, fostering independence and confidence.
Widely recognized by universities, the IBDP is one of the most rigorous pre-university qualifications. Research shows IBDP graduates are more likely to be accepted at top higher-education institutions, with components such as the Extended Essay preparing students for university challenges.
FRESH PATH FORWARD
In the past five years, BST students have matriculated to top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Columbia, Pennsylvania, UBC, Amsterdam and Todai. BST believes that it is important to match students to the best university for them, and the IBDP will help BST students continue to secure places in a wide variety of universities all around the world.
As BST embarks on this exciting journey towards becoming an IB World School, it remains committed to providing students with the best possible education, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and values necessary for success in an increasingly globalized world.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For more information: www.ibo.org.
November 2024
