Head of Primary Japanese - August 2026 start

The British School in Tokyo places a high priority on the safety and well-being of children. Candidates who are shortlisted will undergo thorough vetting, which includes reference checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service (or equivalent) screenings.

Reports to: Head of Primary (or a designated member of the Primary School Leadership Team)

Responsibilities

Drive the advancement of the Primary Japanese Language Pathways in line with BST’s Strategic Direction 2035 and Languages Policy.

Offer professional guidance and support to the Japanese Languages team, collaborating with the Head of Asian Languages to ensure a unified, One School strategy and coherence across different phases.

The Head of Primary Japanese is responsible for both the strategic and operational growth of Primary Japanese at BST, emphasizing high-quality, inclusive language education. This position merges strong pedagogical leadership—especially in Japanese Language and Literature—with a dedication to collaboration, staff development, and transparent communication throughout the school.

The Primary Japanese Team consists of seven teachers and one Educational Assistant (EA). Every student engages with Japanese, following tailored pathways (Japanese Language Acquisition, Japanese Language & Literature, or Japanese as a Second Language).

The Head of Japanese supervises the Primary Japanese Coordinator, Japanese teachers, and the Japanese EA. The incumbent will report to the Head of Primary (or a designated PSLT member) and closely collaborate with the Head of Asian Languages in the Secondary School to ensure a cohesive, One School approach to Japanese language education. Working with Primary curriculum leaders is vital to ensure continuity, progression, and excellence across all year groups.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Outstanding Leadership

• In partnership with the Primary Japanese Team, articulate and execute a clear vision for delivering Japanese across the Primary School, aligned with best practices in language education and catering to the needs of all learners.
• Provide strategic leadership to guarantee high-quality teaching and learning in Japanese, resulting in excellent opportunities and outcomes for every student.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous evaluation of an inclusive, diverse, and challenging Japanese curriculum supported by a coherent assessment framework.
• Utilize relevant data and evidence to track student progress, inform teaching practices, and help set appropriate goals.
• Guide and develop the Primary Japanese Team, cultivating a collaborative and reflective professional environment.
• Offer coaching and professional feedback that acknowledges effective practices and supports advancement against ‘Professional Review and Development’ targets and the BST Teacher Framework.
• Delegate responsibilities efficiently within the team, including the Primary Japanese Coordinator, ensuring accountability and shared ownership of departmental goals.
• Engage with current research and advancements in Japanese language pedagogy, facilitating their implementation through departmental professional development.
• Keep the Primary School Leadership Team updated with regular, evidence-based reports on departmental successes, priorities, and areas needing attention.
• Lead the creation, implementation, and evaluation of the Japanese Development Plan, ensuring it aligns with BST’s Strategic Direction 2035.
• Supervise the judicious use of departmental resources and manage the department budget effectively.
• Ensure that safeguarding principles and inclusive practices are integral to the department, allowing all students to thrive.

Parental Engagement / Community Links

• Foster strong relationships with parents and the broader school community to support, promote, and celebrate Japanese language learning.
• Provide leadership in organizing Japanese language and cultural events, initiatives.

Apply via the WhatSchool platform.