April 30, 2025

NLCS Kobe: A new chapter in world-class education arrives in Japan

Education

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With over 175 years of heritage, NLCS will open a new school in Kobe with a goal to inspire students to think independently, develop resilience and become the leaders of tomorrow.

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) will open its fifth international school in August 2025, bringing its legacy of excellence to Kobe. NLCS Kobe will welcome students in grades 1-6 (ages 6-11) at its Asia One Center campus on Rokko Island, with plans to expand in the coming years. This milestone will offer a rigorous international curriculum with a Japanese dimension.

Following the model of its sister schools in Jeju (South Korea), Dubai and Singapore, NLCS Kobe will provide an ambitious, dynamic education designed to foster a love of learning. The school’s approach is based on three core pillars: an ambitious education, individualized care and support, and extracurricular enrichment.

The goal of NLCS Kobe is “to inspire students to think independently, develop resilience and create the leaders of tomorrow,” according to its founding principal, Matthew Williams, who has led outstanding schools in the U.K. and internationally. “I am thrilled to bring this exceptional educational philosophy to Japan. NLCS Kobe will build upon the rich heritage of NLCS London, established in 1850, while embracing Japanese values and culture.”

A purpose-built campus for excellence

The school will expand with grade 7 in 2026 and grade 8 in 2027, both at the Asia One campus. In 2028, a state-of-the-art senior school campus on Rokko Mountain will open, providing an inspiring setting for grades 6-12 near the Rokkosan Silence Resort.

NLCS Kobe will operate as a day school from 2025 to 2027. When the senior school campus opens, boarding will be available for grades 6-12, while the Asia One campus will remain a dedicated day school for grades 1-5.

A global network of excellence

As part of the NLCS family of schools, NLCS Kobe will collaborate with its sister schools to share expertise, develop projects and offer students a global perspective. The NLCS Group has a proven record of academic excellence, with students consistently achieving top International Baccalaureate diploma results and gaining admission to the world’s leading universities, including Oxbridge, Ivy League institutions and top-tier universities in Japan.

With over 175 years of heritage, NLCS schools have produced outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions in science, business, the arts and politics. NLCS Kobe aims to continue this tradition, preparing students to become leaders with the confidence and ambition to make a difference.

Matthew Williams, NLCS Kobe’s founding principal

Academic excellence and well-being

Learning will be experiential and tailored to each child’s strengths and interests. Highly qualified international educators will deliver the curriculum, ensuring personalized attention and a strong emphasis on critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving.

Pastoral care and well-being will be central, ensuring students feel supported and valued. A nurturing environment will focus on emotional and social development alongside academic success, with programs fostering resilience, mindfulness and strong student-teacher relationships.

Extracurricular enrichment will be integral, offering diverse activities from performing arts and sports to leadership and community service. NLCS Kobe will nurture students beyond the classroom, developing confidence, resilience and a lifelong passion for learning.