HISTORY:
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.
ENGLISH SUPPORT:
Rochester offers tuition in the Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) which is universally recognised and accepted by all UK Universities.
SIZE:
The College has 345 pupils of which 105 are boarders.
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.
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.
SEN:
Their teaching and pastoral staff are pro active, identifying where students are having difficulties and offering practical help, solutions and encouragement.
Tutors file regular reports on students and these are emailed to parents giving constant feedback. An end of term report should never contain surprises for either students or their parents. The College operates an ‘open door’ policy and parents feel free to come and see, telephone or email Personal Tutors and the Principal to discuss any issue concerning them.