At Rugby School Japan, developing a spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship is at the core of our Finance, Business Studies, and Economics curriculum. Every year, in the very first Business Studies lesson, students are asked a simple question: “Name an entrepreneur you admire and explain why.”
Whilst students often start by naming famous global figures, this activity often leads to a deeper reflection. Students soon begin to think about friends, family, and community members, igniting a lightbulb moment where they realise – I could be an entrepreneur too! It is then the role of our department, together with the wider Rugby Learner Profile skills, that our broad academic curriculum and enrichment programme seeks to develop, which can support students in realising their ambitions.
Building Financial Foundations
When parents visit our school, a frequently asked question is about the bespoke Finance course we offer at RSJ in Y7, 8 and 9. This course lays the foundation for our enterprise education program, teaching students essential financial literacy skills. Here, they learn about the importance of money management – how to make it, how to save it and how to spend it wisely. Key topics include debt, financial planning, scams, and ethical consumerism; equipping students with a realistic understanding of the financial world they’ll navigate as adults.
Exploring Business on a Global Scale
Business Studies is a popular choice amongst our iGCSE students, offering insights into the workings of businesses from human resources to marketing to finance. Aligned with the RSJ Learner Profile, which encourages students to be globally minded and inquisitive, the course invites students to explore diverse companies and sectors around the world, fostering an understanding of how business shapes our lives and society.
The Academic Rigour of Economics at A-Level
At RSJ, A-Level Economics is a rigorous course that introduces students to the pivotal role of entrepreneurs – those individuals who combine resources to produce goods and services in pursuit of profit.
The course challenges students academically, requiring resilience and adaptability – qualities that students develop throughout their time at RSJ. Economics combines the critical thinking and analytical skills from humanities with the quantitative skills from maths and science, making it highly valued by universities.
Bringing Learning to Life Through Enrichment
Our extensive enrichment program allows students to put theory into practice, applying what they learn in class to real-world situations. Students have opportunities to participate in activities like the Share Dealing Challenge, a visit to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and even running their own small businesses through our Enterprise Club. These experiences enable them to develop soft skills such as presenting and problem-solving, often in partnership with local and international businesses through our visiting speaker program.
Together, these courses and experiences hopefully start to develop a powerful entrepreneurial mindset among RSJ students, preparing them to thrive in a complex world. Whether through Finance, Business Studies, or Economics, RSJ equips students with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to envision a future as leaders and innovators in the business world.
