The Allure of British Boarding Schools
Why institutions such as Rugby School Japan still matter.
In 1859—the year Yokohama opened to British trade—an estimated 50 to 70 percent of senior British and colonial leaders were alumni of British boarding schools.
This is despite these schools educating less than 1 percent of the UK population.
So it’s fair to say that British boarding schools had an outsized influence on the world at that time. But what about today? In a world increasingly shaped by the influence of the United States, China and India, do British boarding schools still matter? Many Japanese and international families believe they do.
THE POWER OF SOFT SKILLS
Graduating from a British boarding school is often likened to receiving a master key to the world’s top universities and employers. This is because institutions worldwide prize the depth and breadth of the British curriculum, alongside the soft skills British boarding schools cultivate, including confidence, resilience, critical thinking and communication.
Soft skills are more than just an advantage. According to Ian Siegel, cofounder and CEO of ZipRecruiter, 93 percent of hiring leaders see these traits as essential for new recruits. Leadership expert Peggy Klaus famously summed it up: “Soft skills will make or break your career.” This is why British boarding schools have a proud history of blending academic rigor with soft skills-building cocurricular programs. This focus is also evident in the way teachers deliver their lessons, favoring inquiry-based approaches over rote learning.
This distinctly British way of teaching develops pupils’ ability to think laterally, articulate their ideas clearly and positively influence others. What’s more, pupils prefer learning this way, thanks to the interactivity of British-style lessons.
EDUCATION LIKE NO OTHER
It’s no wonder, then, that a British boarding school education is still highly prized by families worldwide. It’s also why, when Rugby School Japan (RSJ) welcomed its first pupils in 2023, the school’s opening was met with great excitement among Japanese, expat and overseas families. Since then, RSJ has delivered the same exemplary academic, cocurricular and pastoral standards as its UK sister school, Rugby School, which has educated renowned authors, scientists and even a UK prime minister.
Located just 30 minutes from central Tokyo, RSJ is the only authentic British day and boarding school in the greater Tokyo area. It offers the same level of academic and cocurricular excellence that families expect from a top UK boarding school.
With its unique “whole person whole point” ethos, RSJ sets pupils on a path to the world’s leading universities, equipping them with the skills and character to thrive in and out of the classroom. To learn more, book a private campus tour or attend the next Open Day.
May 2025
