Cities / Tokyo / Phoenix House International School
Phoenix House International School
A British prep school in Yonbancho, Chiyoda, opened 2021 as the feeder to Rugby School Japan and run on the closest model to a traditional UK prep available in Tokyo.
In brief
A British prep school in Yonbancho, Chiyoda, opened 2021 as the feeder to Rugby School Japan and run on the closest model to a traditional UK prep available in Tokyo.
Phoenix House opened in August 2021 under founding head Claire Fletcher, whose background spans British prep schools and start-up roles in Dubai, Qatar, and China. It teaches the National Curriculum of England to children aged 5 to 11, with the four-house system, sport, arts, and modern languages woven in. Common ownership with Rugby School Japan provides a clear secondary pathway from Year 7.
Families who choose Phoenix House are usually looking for British rigour, small classes, and a community feel rather than the scale of ASIJ or BST Tokyo. Parent voice consistently picks out the qualified British teaching staff, visible gains in confidence and academic progress, and the warmth of a small school. Fees sit at roughly 2.9 to 3.2 million yen. For families committed to a UK trajectory through Rugby Japan, it is the most coherent feeder option in central Tokyo.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | One-time | ¥60,000 | |
| Enrolment Fee | One-time | ¥260,000 |
Reviews
- New British prep in Chiyoda-ku, opened August 2021, COBIS Beacon-status accredited for safeguarding.
- Small classes are the structural feature, capped around 16 with some down at 11. Most parent-facing commentary on directories is positive on the warmth of the admissions process and the headmistress.
- A 2023 Reddit post from someone identifying as a teacher described high staff turnover, contract changes and a board they considered profit-led, with concerns about basic classroom resourcing. The post is one source and predates the Beacon award, but staff-side tension is a flag for parents weighing a young, fast-growing school.
- Curriculum is English National Curriculum through to age 11; pathway beyond Year 6 is a question parents will need to ask given Tokyo's small British-prep market.
Head of school
Claire Fletcher
Ms. Fletcher trained in Psychology at the University of Glasgow and brings extensive international education experience from the Middle East and Asia. She has held roles as Founding Deputy Head Teacher, Head of House, Head of Year, and Head of English across China, Dubai, and Qatar. As Founding Head at Phoenix House, she has successfully built and led a team through the initial set up of the school. Fletcher is recognized for her engaging leadership style and commitment to ensuring every child enjoys every single day of their prep school life.