Tokyo Weekender - May 2017

[ PROMOTION ]
A Perfect Balance
As Camelot International School prepares to open a middle school this September, they
continue to offer affordable quality education that’s more than just about high test scores
Eleven years ago, when Kayoko Sugawara
founded Camelot as an international preschool,
she would never have imagined
that she would go on to open both an
elementary and a middle school. But her
unique teaching philosophies, combined with
affordable fees, have made Camelot so popular
that Sugawara has boldly continued to expand.
We sat down with Camelot Director Sugawara,
new Head of School Russell Bowley, and the
new Head of Middle School Graeme Peel, to
hear more about the school’s plans.
WHY DO YOU FEEL THERE’S A
NEED FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL IN TOKYO?
Sugawara: Three years ago, I opened Camelot’s
elementary school. Even though it was a risk
and a challenge, we now have around 40
students and have recently moved to a bigger
location in Kotake-Mukaihara to accommodate
even more. Parents have always told me that
they would keep their children at Camelot if
they could, so I felt the next logical step was to
open a middle school. Our fees
are in line with the international
courses offered by Japanese
schools [¥800,000 per year for
pre-school; ¥1,150,000 per year
for elementary school], so it’s
a good option for returnees
or foreign students who can’t
afford more expensive international
schools. Good quality
international education should
be more broadly available,
which means it has to be more
affordable.
Peel: Although there are some
Japanese schools offering international
courses, I have found
there is a conflict between
what these schools are trying to strike as
a traditional, private Japanese school and
what you need to be learning to get into
universities in, say, the US or England. At
Camelot, we offer a high standard of education,
but with international values and a
reduced cost to the parents.
Bowley: Absolutely. Our philosophy places
emphasis on individuals and their needs.
The more that students learn about themselves
and the world they inhabit, the more
they are able to make wise decisions about
their own educational choices.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR
TEACHING STYLE?
Sugawara: We have always had a very fluid
system that allows each student to adapt
their daily class schedule to suit their level.
For example, if a student is in grade 3 but
their math or English is at a lower level,
then for those subjects they can join a class
in a lower grade. They can also jump up
to a more advanced class where
necessary. Also, I believe that a
good education isn’t just about
getting good scores on tests; it’s
also about developing as a human
being and learning how to build
relationships.
Peel: What I’ve found is that
the aspects of adolescence that
people find negative are often a
reaction to traditional teaching
and education. When you create
an environment in which students
have a drive, and they’re
independently wanting to learn,
they’re far more self-motivated.
Bowley: It’s important that students feel
they have ownership of the learning process.
Everything they learn has to be relevant to
them and their own paths. We want to create an
environment that encourages enquiring minds.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE
TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
WITH THIS WAY OF THINKING?
Peel: My approach has always been to do
things in class around what the students are
interested in, and following that they are
motivated to go home and study for tests
independently. I think that you can achieve
the goals that traditional education sets out
without ever doing it in a traditional way.
Bowley: I agree. Student interest is the most
important thing. The idea of study as a joy
and a fascination supports and transcends
the goals of traditional education.
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE THE
CURRICULUM?
Sugawara: At our elementary school, our focus
is IPC (International Primary Curriculum),
but we use the American Core Standard for
language art, and the Singapore and American
Core Standard for Math.
Peel: For the middle school, we’re still developing
the curriculum but I think it’s important
to have some accreditation such as the Cambridge
or AP qualifications, and an external
examination board. We want to reassure
parents of the standards we’re reaching for.
Applications for Camelot International Middle
School are now open. For more information
visit camelot.tokyo.jp, call 03-5948-3993 or
email info@camelot.tokyo.jp