Epsom College Tokyo to Open in Kanda, Chiyoda City, in Fall 2027

Original Japanese article published Nov. 5, 2025.
日本語版はこちら.

Epsom College Tokyo to Open in Fall 2027

Epsom College, a prestigious British independent school, is set to open its first campus in Japan, Epsom College Tokyo, in Uchikanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, in the fall of 2027.

The school will offer early childhood and elementary education for children aged 3 to 11, with an anticipated enrollment of approximately 250 students in its first year.

The school follows the British curriculum (EYFS–Year 6), using English as the primary language of instruction while incorporating Japanese language education into the curriculum.

With “Kindness,” “Integrity,” and “Ambition” at the core of its educational philosophy, the school strives to balance pastoral care with academic excellence.

Designed in collaboration by the UK’s PLP Architecture and Japan’s Jakuetsu, the urban campus places a strong emphasis on safety, creativity, and environmental sustainability.

Following its opening, the school will work closely with Epsom College in Malaysia to provide students with a seamless transition from the Tokyo campus to the Malaysia campus.

The school will be operated through a partnership between Epsom College, the Educ8 Group, which operates Epsom College in Malaysia, and Japan’s Sano Gakuen (Kanda Gaigo Group).

Motoyasu Sano, Chairman of Sano Gakuen, commented on the school’s establishment: “Language is the foundation of peace that connects the world. Through the fusion of Japanese and British education, we aim to cultivate internationally minded individuals.”

For the past 200 years, international students from around the world have been at the heart of boarding life at Epsom College UK, and students from Japan, in particular, have held a special place in our hearts.

We are delighted to be establishing a new sister school in Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital, and to play a part in the educational journey of families in Tokyo.

On behalf of the entire Epsom College community, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Kanda Gaigo Group and our regional partner, Educ8 Group, on the establishment of Epsom College Tokyo and this historic milestone.

Opening Message

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the opening of the new Epsom College in Tokyo.

For nearly 200 years, Epsom has built a distinguished tradition of academic excellence, pastoral care, and character development.

As the parent of three Epsom graduates, I have experienced firsthand the power of its education.

Epsom College Tokyo will undoubtedly enrich Tokyo’s educational landscape, further deepen the bonds between Japan and the United Kingdom, and help nurture the next generation of global leaders.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike shared the following message regarding the opening of Epsom College Tokyo.

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations on the opening of Epsom College Tokyo, which carries on the legacy of the historic Epsom College in the United Kingdom.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government considers the attraction of international schools to be a key element in building a city where highly skilled professionals and their families can live with peace of mind.

I am confident that the establishment of Epsom College Tokyo will play an important role in nurturing the next generation of globally minded leaders while providing reassurance to families living in Tokyo.

We will continue to strengthen Tokyo’s educational environment as we work to make the city a destination of choice for people from around the world.

Tony Fernandes, an Epsom College alumnus and founder of AirAsia, shared the following message about Epsom College Tokyo.

The opening of Epsom College Tokyo marks the beginning of a new chapter in Epsom’s remarkable journey.

As a graduate of Epsom College UK and the founder of Epsom College Malaysia, I have witnessed firsthand how Epsom’s values—Kindness, Ambition, and Integrity—shape one’s life.

The resilience, teamwork, and courage to pursue my dreams that I learned at Epsom have been instrumental in founding AirAsia and the Tune Group.

Epsom College Tokyo will provide world-class education to children in Asia and play an important role in developing the next generation of global leaders.

One of the school’s distinctive features is the opportunity for students to continue their education within the Epsom network after graduating from Epsom College Tokyo.

Students begin their educational journey at Epsom College Tokyo, where they follow the British primary curriculum from EYFS through Year 6. They may then progress to Epsom College in Malaysia for Years 7–13, where they can experience boarding life and complete their A Levels before advancing to university.

Alternatively, students may choose to transfer to Epsom College UK for Years 12 and 13.

The Epsom Network is characterized by “continuity,” “growth,” and “international opportunities,” with a system that allows students to study at three campuses across three countries.

Editor’s Highlights

Epsom College in Malaysia is located in Malaysia, an increasingly popular destination for Japanese families relocating for their children’s education. The school has seen a growing number of Japanese enrollments, while its summer school and other short-term study programs have also become increasingly popular.

Epsom College Tokyo, set to open in 2027, is positioned as a “feeder school” in partnership with the Malaysia campus. Under this system, students can begin their educational journey in Tokyo before progressing seamlessly to Epsom College in Malaysia for secondary education and boarding life.

While British international schools in Japan have traditionally operated as standalone institutions, Epsom’s model connecting its Tokyo and Malaysia campuses is the first of its kind.

Graduates of Epsom College Tokyo will have a range of educational pathways available to them, including international schools in Japan, overseas boarding schools, and internationally focused private junior high schools.

For families looking to continue their children’s education in English, including those transitioning from preschool, Epsom College Tokyo is set to become a new option among British international schools in central Tokyo, alongside BST and Phoenix House.

Introducing Epsom College

Epsom College is a co-educational independent school for students aged 11 to 18, located in Epsom Downs, Surrey, England.

Founded in 1855 by Prince Albert and granted royal patronage by Queen Victoria, the school was originally established as the Royal Medical Benevolent College to support members of the medical profession and their families.

Today, Epsom College educates around 1,100 students aged 11 to 18 and is renowned for its strong academic performance, as well as its commitment to character development and opportunities for growth beyond the classroom.

Guided by its core values of “Kindness, Integrity, and Ambition,” Epsom College continues to uphold its founding principles of service, inquiry, and compassion, nurturing young people to navigate a rapidly changing world with confidence, empathy, and a sense of purpose.

Epsom College in Malaysia

Epsom College in Malaysia is the official Asian partner of Epsom College, the prestigious British independent school that was named Independent School of the Year 2022 in the United Kingdom.

Operated by the same group, Epsom College in Malaysia is an award-winning day and boarding school offering a British curriculum for students aged 3 to 19.

The school is known for its high-quality teaching delivered by UK-trained educators and its holistic approach to education, which integrates academics, the arts, music, drama, and sport. Through partnerships with the LaLiga Academy Malaysia, the Mouratoglou Tennis Program, and the ECM Golf Academy, students also benefit from world-class sporting opportunities that help them develop their talents beyond the classroom.

With a strong focus on both academic achievement and individual development, Epsom College in Malaysia empowers students to realise their full potential. Its graduates regularly receive offers from some of the world’s most prestigious universities, paving the way for future success on the global stage.