FAQ

The academic year begins at the end of August or beginning of September on 1st September (excluding weekends) and concludes at the end of June of the following year. Please refer to the Term Dates for further details.

All stages of the application process, from submitting the application form to uploading required documents, can be completed entirely online via our dedicated application portal. Read more.

For entry in September, applications open on 1st September of the preceding year. The standard application deadline is 31st January of the year of entry. However, we consider individual circumstances and may accept applications after this deadline. 

Please contact us directly for individual consultations.

Yes, we accept mid-year transfers for January entry.

For entry in January, applications open on 1st September of the preceding year, with an application deadline of 31st October of that same preceding year.

As with our September intake, we consider individual circumstances and may accept applications after the deadline. Please contact us in the first instance to discuss your situation.

Following their primary school graduation in March, Grade 6 students in Japan can transfer to Gordonstoun Japan in April by completing a transition programme during the Summer Term. They will then be promoted to Year 7 at the start of the following academic year.

The main documents required for application (subject to change) are as follows:

• Proof of identity (Passport or official government-issued ID)

• Copies of academic transcripts/reports from the previous academic year

• Copies of the most recent academic transcripts/reports from the current academic year

• References/Letters of recommendation (from the applicant's homeroom teacher, English teacher, and Mathematics teacher)

Note on references: Following submission of the application, our system will send an online questionnaire directly to each referee. These are returned directly to us online, without passing through the parents/guardians.

We accommodate students from Year 7 to Year 13 (equivalent to the 6th grade of Japanese primary school to the 3rd grade of high school), which corresponds to Secondary School education.

However, for our founding year (the 2027-2028 academic year), admissions will be open to Years 7, 8, and 9 only. We will progressively expand our year groups each year, reaching full capacity (Years 7–13) by the 2029-2030 academic year.

Students are placed in the most appropriate year group based on their age and prior educational background (number of years in school).

For example, to enter Year 7, a student must meet both of the following criteria:

• Be 11 years old as of 1st September in the year of entry.

• Have successfully completed the Year 6 curriculum (equivalent to the 5th grade of Japanese primary school).

Age Criteria as of 1st September:

• Year 7: Age 11

• Year 8: Age 12

• Year 9: Age 13

• Year 10: Age 14

• Year 11: Age 15

• Year 12: Age 16

• Year 13: Age 17

We regret that interpreters are not permitted to attend the interview.

To ensure the safety, well-being, and academic success of your child, close and continuous communication between the school and parents is essential. Therefore, we require at least one parent or guardian to be sufficiently proficient in English to communicate effectively.

Generally, results for September entry are released between February and May of the entry year.

Additionally, we plan to introduce an "Early Admission" scheme for exceptionally outstanding applicants. Successful candidates under this scheme will receive their offer letters before Christmas of the preceding year.

Yes, we do.

The waiting list at Gordonstoun Japan is for candidates who meet our entry criteria but cannot be offered a place initially due to the year group reaching capacity. Should a place become available, for instance, if an offered student declines or a current student transfers, we will offer places to candidates on the waiting list in order of priority.

For September entry, the waiting list remains valid until 31st August of the entry year. It is not possible to carry over waiting list status to the following academic year. If you wish to be considered for entry the following year, a new application must be submitted.

For entry at Year 7 (age 11), we expect students to have conversational English proficiency.

While we conduct an English assessment during the selection process, this is not designed to exclude candidates; rather, it allows us to accurately identify and prepare for their language support needs upon enrolment.

Gordonstoun Japan is not classified as an "Article 1 School" (Ichijo-ko) under the Japanese School Education Act.

Under the Basic Act on Education in Japan, parents/guardians are legally obligated to ensure their children receive compulsory education between the ages of 6 and 15 (primary to lower secondary school). Japanese parents must give full consideration to the legal implications before applying to Gordonstoun Japan. We strongly recommend discussing this as a family and consulting the local Board of Education in your municipality.

Gordonstoun Japan is not classified as an "Article 1 School" (Ichijo-ko) under the Japanese School Education Act.

Under the Basic Act on Education in Japan, parents/guardians are legally obligated to ensure their children receive compulsory education between the ages of 6 and 15 (primary to lower secondary school). Japanese parents must give full consideration to the legal implications before applying to Gordonstoun Japan. We strongly recommend discussing this as a family and consulting the local Board of Education in your municipality.

Yes. For students whose first language is not English, we provide a robust English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme alongside our standard curriculum. Our goal is to ensure students achieve the language proficiency required to fully engage with IGCSE classes and examinations by Year 10 (age 15).

Yes. Recognising our unique location in Japan, we provide Japanese as an Additional Language (JAL) for international students or returnees who wish to develop their Japanese language skills, ranging from beginner conversational levels to advanced academic study.

Yes. Recognising our unique location in Japan, we provide Japanese as an Additional Language (JAL) for international students or returnees who wish to develop their Japanese language skills, ranging from beginner conversational levels to advanced academic study.

Gordonstoun Japan is founded on the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn: "to provide educational opportunities for all children."

We carefully consider the individual circumstances of children who require additional support or adjustments. We warmly welcome students provided that our school environment and resources can fully meet their educational and pastoral needs.

For students identified with SEND, our dedicated Learning Support Coordinator works closely with academic teachers, houseparents, and parents to develop a personalised Individual Education Plan (IEP). Progress is reviewed regularly through termly consultations to ensure academic, social, and emotional milestones are being met.

For students identified with SEND, our dedicated Learning Support Coordinator works closely with academic teachers, houseparents, and parents to develop a personalised Individual Education Plan (IEP). Progress is reviewed regularly through termly consultations to ensure academic, social, and emotional milestones are being met.

Gordonstoun Japan is primarily a full-boarding school, as we believe the shared community life, evening study programmes, and rich extracurricular opportunities in the boarding environment are vital to our holistic character development.

However, we do offer weekly boarding and are prepared to consider a limited number of day student places for families residing in the immediate local area. Please contact our Admissions Office to discuss eligibility.
 

Under the guidance of our Founding Principal, Natasha Dangerfield, who previously served as a Housemistress and Head of Pastoral Care at Gordonstoun in Scotland, we have established a dedicated pastoral care team. This team provides comprehensive, 24-hour support to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all boarders.

Under the guidance of our Founding Principal, Natasha Dangerfield, who previously served as a Housemistress and Head of Pastoral Care at Gordonstoun in Scotland, we have established a dedicated pastoral care team. This team provides comprehensive, 24-hour support to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all boarders.

Our boarding houses (Houses) are structured vertically, bringing together students from different year groups (Years 7 to 13) under one roof. This vertical system fosters a warm, family-style environment where older students naturally mentor and support younger peers, and younger students learn from their seniors, building strong cross-age relationships. (Please note that houses are single-sex.)

Within each House, specific room allocations are designed to support students’ developmental stages and academic needs:

• Years 7–9 (Junior): To encourage social integration, adapt to community living, and build mutual peer support, younger students share spacious four-bedded rooms.

• Years 10–11 (Exam Prep): As students move into their exam preparation years, they progress to twin-share rooms to allow for balanced socialising and academic focus.

• Years 12–13 (Senior): Senior students are generally allocated single study-bedrooms to allow focus and independence as they prepare for university life.

A typical weekday schedule is designed to balance rigorous academics with physical activity and rest:

• 07:00 – 07:45 | Wake up and breakfast in the central refectory

• 08:15 – 08:30 | Morning Roll Call and House Meeting

• 08:40 – 15:45 | Academic classes (including a break and lunch)

• 16:00 – 17:30 | Extracurricular activities

• 18:00 – 18:45 | Supper

• 19:00 – 21:00 | Structured prep time (supervised evening study/homework)

• 21:00 – 21:45 | Free time in the boarding house, socialising, and light snacks

• 22:00 onwards | Lights out (graduated by year group)

Note: The timetable above is provisional. It is designed to be dynamically optimised throughout the year, allowing us to adapt to seasonal activities or coordinate our signature outdoor education and activities, ensuring the healthiest and most engaging routine for our students.

A typical weekday schedule is designed to balance rigorous academics with physical activity and rest:

• 07:00 – 07:45 | Wake up and breakfast in the central refectory

• 08:15 – 08:30 | Morning Roll Call and House Meeting

• 08:40 – 15:45 | Academic classes (including a break and lunch)

• 16:00 – 17:30 | Extracurricular activities

• 18:00 – 18:45 | Supper

• 19:00 – 21:00 | Structured prep time (supervised evening study/homework)

• 21:00 – 21:45 | Free time in the boarding house, socialising, and light snacks

• 22:00 onwards | Lights out (graduated by year group)

Note: The timetable above is provisional. It is designed to be dynamically optimised throughout the year, allowing us to adapt to seasonal activities or coordinate our signature outdoor education and activities, ensuring the healthiest and most engaging routine for our students.

To prioritise academic focus, healthy community life, and adequate sleep, certain restrictions (such as managed access hours) will be implemented. A detailed policy will be announced in due course.