Boarding FAQs

No. Harrow International School Appi Japan is a 100% full boarding school, and all students live on campus throughout the academic term.

Full boarding is central to our educational philosophy. Living together on site allows students to benefit fully from our structured pastoral care, extended learning opportunities, enrichment activities, and a strong sense of community. This immersive environment supports students in developing independence, resilience, and lifelong friendships, while ensuring consistent routines, supervision, and wellbeing support.

Life at Harrow Appi is fully immersive, and students benefit from arriving with a readiness to live and learn within a close-knit boarding community. Parents can help by encouraging independence, organisation, and openness to living with others. 

Supporting children to take responsibility for their belongings, follow simple daily routines, and manage personal tasks helps them adjust smoothly to boarding life. Equally important is fostering tolerance, flexibility, and an appreciation of different perspectives, as students live alongside peers from diverse backgrounds. 

Open communication is also key. Encouraging your child to share how they are feeling helps them build trusting relationships with boarding staff and ensures that students, parents, and the school work closely together to support a happy and successful transition. 

We have a range of rooms with one, two or three beds in them. Some rooms have a small, shared bathroom between two rooms, while others will use our excellent communal bathrooms. In all cases, shower curtains and cubicles for showers and toilets provide privacy.  

For room allocation of new students, we look at their interests, nationality, age and personality, with the aim of matching students with a roommate that we feel they will get on well with. For older students who are studying for exams, particularly sixth form, we will usually allocate a single room. When admissions liaise with you, please give as much useful information about your child as you can, we are then most likely to make a successful match.  

We always talk to current students if they want to move rooms or if we think they should be moving rooms. Our extremely experienced staff will make the decision according to what we think will be best for your child, and the children they may be sharing with.  

Rooms are comfortable and well equipped, with spaces for your child to personalise with pictures and nicknacks. There is ample furniture for student to store a range of clothes, belongings and equipment. 

Use of technology in boarding is about balance. We ask parents to ensure that students bring one phone and device (tablet) with them only, so that we can closely monitor usage. There is a lot of research about the harm that too much time on devices can bring which can impact negatively on mental-health. While we develop students’ skills with IT, our policy is to educate student about this need for balance, online safety and responsible use.  

Each evening, students hand in their devices which are locked away, for safety. This means they have some time to relax and get ready for bed, and that they then sleep well. The days at school are packed with exciting learning and activities, we don’t want them to be too tired to participate effectively.  

According to their ages, students are allowed time each evening to use their phones and devices, however we encourage them to use the free time engaging in activities and socialising too. If we think a child is spending too much time online, we will speak to you and put a plan in place to help them use their devices responsibly and healthily.  

Weekends at Harrow Appi are carefully structured to provide a balance of activity, enrichment, and rest. Students have access to school facilities for sport, music, creative pursuits, and social time with friends, alongside a varied programme of House-led activities. 

There are regular whole-school social events, as well as opportunities to join organised trips locally and further afield. Older students may also take supervised visits into the nearby city. 

In addition, a wide range of optional expeditions take place most weekends, allowing students to take part in outdoor and adventurous activities that reflect our unique environment. Together, these opportunities ensure weekends are engaging, varied, and supportive of students’ wellbeing and personal development. 

Harrow Appi takes bullying extremely seriously and does not tolerate it in any form. While no school can claim that bullying never occurs, any concerns are addressed promptly, consistently, and with clear consequences. 

Students are encouraged to speak openly with House staff and trusted adults, and are regularly reminded of the importance of reporting bullying—whether they are directly affected or witness it happening to others. Creating a culture where students feel safe to speak up is central to our approach. 

Our response is firm and restorative. Staff work carefully with all involved to ensure the behaviour stops, those affected are supported, and students understand the impact of their actions. Parents are always informed when issues arise, and we work in close partnership with families to resolve concerns. A robust anti-bullying policy underpins all of our practice, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for every student. 

All new students take part in a structured induction programme within their Boarding House and at school. Each student is supported by a House buddy and boarding staff who check in regularly, help them navigate daily routines, and ensure they feel confident and supported as they settle into lessons and boarding life. 

Homesickness is a normal part of the boarding experience and can affect students at different times. Our experienced boarding teams are trained to recognise and support students through these feelings, working closely with nurses, counsellors, and parents where needed. Students are always encouraged to speak openly, and dedicated staff are available—particularly at key times such as mornings and evenings—to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and well cared for. 

Laundry routines at Harrow Appi are designed to help students develop independence and responsibility as part of boarding life. Students are expected to take care of their personal clothing and bed linen, learning to manage these everyday tasks in an age-appropriate way. 

A regular laundry service is provided, and students are supported in following clear routines for changing linen and submitting laundry. Boarding staff and designated student leaders guide and supervise students, particularly in the early stages, to ensure expectations are understood and met while encouraging increasing independence over time. 

This approach helps students build practical life skills that will support them well beyond their time at Harrow Appi. 

Yes, students are allowed to have laptops in their room to study, and this is dependent on their age and requirements. All students adhere to our devices policy which lets them use devices at certain points during the day and in the evening.  

If your child is in Remove, Fifth or Sixth form, they will automatically work in their bedroom during evening prep time, using their laptops. Younger students are allowed their laptops at the designated times for their year group, and this is during the evenings or over the weekend. During these periods of time, they may have them in their rooms and use them for study. 

Outside of lessons, students are cared for by our dedicated House Team, who live and work within the boarding houses. This team provides round-the-clock pastoral care, supervision, and support, ensuring students are safe, settled, and well looked after at all times.

Each boarding house is led by a House Master or House Mistress, supported by Assistant House staff, House Parents, and Resident Tutors, who collectively oversee students’ wellbeing, routines, and personal development.

Parents can learn more about our boarding house structure and pastoral care by visiting the House Team page.