Every year we arrange and escort a fully funded tour for a British sixth form group to Japan. We want to give young people who otherwise might not have this opportunity direct exposure to Japanese people and society. Participants return home with broader horizons, a new appreciation of an unfamiliar culture and increased self-confidence and curiosity.
The visit is much more than a study tour or a holiday – though it is both, and students will learn while enjoying themselves. Through homestays with Japanese families, a day at a local high school, and a visit to an old people’s home, participants come into contact with contemporary Japanese life first-hand. The students will have experiences that stretch them and opportunities to form bonds with peers.
“Travelling to Japan is a mind expanding experience, but adding in the cultural extras of living with Japanese families and spending time in a Japanese school meant our students had a trip that money could not buy. They came back more confident and outward looking, especially the three who had never left the UK before.”
Stephen Harvey, Deputy Principal of Latimer Arts College, 2025 participants
Who is eligible?
We consider approaches from state-funded schools or sixth form colleges across the UK. Participating schools are normally co-educational comprehensives, but we will consider single-sex schools if they apply in partnership with a school of the opposite sex. We do not normally consider schools with established Japanese language teaching.
What is the Foundation looking for?
Above all, we want to understand how participation in the tour will help you reach students who are unlikely to have opportunities like this. We are also looking for clear evidence of commitment amongst staff who will be involved in the tour, as we know engaged and enthusiastic teachers are essential to success. And we want to be reassured that participation is supported at the highest levels within the school.
What is the timetable?
The tour takes place in autumn, generally in October adjacent to autumn half term. It takes 12 students and three teachers to Japan, based in Osaka, for just over a week. A member of Foundation staff will accompany you, with support from our partner organisation in Japan.
Outline timetable
Year before the tour: initial approaches by schools; discussion and shortlisting; and visits by the Foundation to shortlisted school(s).
Year of the tour:
- Jan/Feb: Foundation visit(s) to shortlisted school(s) and decision on participating school
- March: confirmation to participant school
- Spring: school selects participating students and teachers
- Spring-to-summer: Foundation makes practical arrangements
- September: pre-departure parents evening
- October: school tour
What’s the process?
If your school is interested in taking part, then please send us an initial expression of interest by email to gbsf@gbsf.org.uk with the following details:
- Name and contact details of the lead person within the school
- Brief description of the school (100 words or fewer)
- Relevant measures of disadvantage/ reduced opportunities at the school (eg Index of Multiple Deprivation, Pupil Premium eligibility, proportion of SEND, Ofsted disadvantaged pupil classification) (up to 200 words)
- How the tour would fit into wider efforts at the school, and how you’d plan to maximise its impact (up to 150 words)