At YHJS, similar to schools in Japan, classes are divided into three main levels: nursery, primary, and secondary. Below, we provide a brief overview of the subjects studied at each level.
Operational Purpose: The school provides education to children aged 4 to 15 residing in the Yorkshire and Humberside area of the UK, focusing on Japanese language acquisition and learning.
Number of teachers: 10
Number of students: 52 (as of 2024)
Annual Teaching Days: 41-42 days, following a three-term system starting in April, similar to the Japanese academic year.
Location: Classes are conducted in a school located in Leeds. For more details, please inquire directly.
Access:Approximately 20-30 minutes by car from central Leeds, with free parking available.
There are nearby bus stops within walking distance, allowing for convenient bus travel.
Admission Fee:£40
Tuition Fees: £150 for the first term, £150 for the second term, and £120 for the third term.
Additional Expenses: Around £50-£80 per term – varies based on the year or term.
Tuition fees and additional expenses are payable each term (as of April 2024).
Nursery – Age 4 to 6
In the nursery, the focus is on enhancing conversational skills and introducing children to Japanese culture in a playful and enjoyable learning environment. Through activities such as nursery rhymes, rhythmic exercises, sing-alongs, and traditional Japanese games and performances, students become familiar with hiragana and katakana by the end of the two years. They also learn the basics of reading and writing, preparing them for the transition to the primary level.
A nursery lesson
Primary – Age 6 to 12
At primary level, classes follow the curriculum established by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). The lessons focus on improving the four language skills – reading, writing, speaking, and listening – to ensure that students can easily integrate into the Japanese education system if they return to Japan. Alongside the Japanese curriculum, students also learn about Japanese culture. Each year, students submit entries in the Overseas Children’s Literary Works Contest organized by a public-interest foundation, and they have received various awards over the years in categories such as composition, poetry, tanka, and haiku.
Secondary – Age 12 to 15
At secondary level, as at primary level, classes follow the curriculum outlined by MEXT. However, the content is more advanced than that at primary level, aiming for students to express themselves freely in Japanese both orally and in writing. The students experience engaging instruction similar to that provided to students in Japan. As at primary level, students secondary level submit entries each year to the Overseas Children’s Literary Works Contest, and they have received various awards in a number of categories.
