Rikkyo School was founded in 1972. It is situated in extensive beautifully landscaped grounds on a wooded hilltop in Sussex, commanding magnificent views over the surrounding countryside. Rikkyo School is perhaps the oldest Japanese boarding school in Europe.
When the school first opened there were only 19 Primary students. Classrooms, dormitories, dining room, chapel, and staff room were all accommodated in the magnificent Pallinghurst House, built-in 1902 by a banking family. The Middle School was inaugurated in 1973. Following the approval by the Japanese Ministry of Education as an overseas school in 1975, the School was able to inaugurate the High School which enabled Rikkyo to educate students from 10 years to 18 years old. Thus it was that a modern co-educational boarding school for Japanese children came into being. The School has grown steadily through the years and many facilities have been added.
This is based on the Japanese National Curriculum. Also, students all follow a GCSE Science course, studying Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. In the English Communication lessons, students are focusing on speaking and listening, and have several opportunities to communicate with local English students and local people.
Basic knowledge of the Sciences in the English language is an asset for any ambitious young person. The School prides itself that it can offer a two-year course of study in English leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education in Biology and Chemistry. Students start on the course on entry into year 3 of Middle School. Assessment is by written examination at the end of the course and by practical assignments during the course.
The numbers in the English classes are small, which has proved beneficial in language learning. The students have four lessons a week with qualified native teachers. These lessons aim to enable all students to develop to their full potential their skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading in a hard-working and pleasant atmosphere.
Every term all students have the opportunity to visit local towns with many shops and facilities. It gives the pupils the chance to put their English into action and to speak to residents and shoppers in the towns. They carry out a mini-survey and ask passers-by about their reason for their trip to the town and how they traveled there that day.
