Rochester Independent College
Key Information
Rochester Independent College offers GCSE, BTEC & A Level curriculum. They deliver a strong EAL for international students. Full boarding is offered on site in their Rochester grounds, catering to both UK & international students. Read more below …
History of the School
Founded in 1984, Rochester Independent College (RIC) is a day and boarding school in Kent. The majority of students are from the UK with around 25% from overseas. At Rochester there is no uniform, no bells ring, students and staff are on first name terms and the average class size is 8. The College encourages its students to voice their opinions, to think critically, creatively and independently. Rochester joined Dukes Education in 2016 and it’s a fit that works. Our students and staff benefit from working with our Dukes partners at Oxbridge Applications and The Medic Portal. Over the next few years we’re expanding with a new student residential village opposite the main campus. We’ll be able to welcome boarders from the age of 13 from September 2023.
Pre-16 qualifications
Post 16 qualifications
RIC offers around 40 subjects in a variety of programmes ranging from conventional two year programmes for GCSEs or A-levels to combined GCSE and A-level programmes and 5 term A-level courses. English language support is available if required.
Academic performance
Boarding accommodation
Over half of their cosmopolitan mix of boarders each year are English, including many from Kent, but they also welcome international students looking to study in the UK in order to gain entry to top UK universities and art schools. British students whose parents are in the armed forces or based overseas as expatriate workers often join after taking their GCSEs at international schools. Some have previously been home-schooled. Globally grounded, third culture kids from all over the world come to RIC to finish their secondary education before proceeding to universities in the USA and Europe. As half of the residential community is new each year it’s easy to make new and interesting friends. Overseas students are fully integrated into the life of the school rather than in a separate international study centre. They do not have large groups of native speakers from any one country so speaking- and improving-your English is inescapable.
Pastoral care
Extra-curricular activities
General school facilities
A Day in the Life of