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Rochester Independent College

United Kingdom, Rochester

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £21,150 - 63,000
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 425
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1984
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
Typical class size 8
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Rochester Independent College sits on a connected campus of Georgian houses in Rochester, Kent, offering a British curriculum with GCSE and A level studies alongside BTEC qualifications. The college welcomes boarders and day students aged 11 to 18. Its curriculum covers Mathematics, Sciences, English, Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and PSHE, with an expansive subject range at GCSE and A level. A standout feature is the Northbank Campus, opened in 2025, housing a boarding village and the Gowers Visual Arts Centre, complemented by eight science laboratories, a Computer Science suite with Apple Macs, and a Music Hub with practice rooms. Outdoor spaces include garden classrooms, a refurbished MUGA, and a full gym. The college emphasises university preparation, supported by the Dukes Education group and tailored guidance for Oxbridge and US/European applications. Strong pastoral care, small classes, and an international community underpin wellbeing and achievement for students worldwide.

254 St Margaret's Banks, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1HY, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Rochester Independent College has 425 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
254 St Margaret's Banks, Rochester, Kent ME1 1HY, United Kingdom. The campus is in Rochester, a historic town in Kent. It is about 37 minutes from London. The school can be contacted at +44 (0)1634 828115.

Stages
Year 7 to Sixth Form; Lower School Years 7-11; GCSEs; A Levels; fast-track one-year GCSE and A Level courses; Pre-A level courses.

Type
Co-educational; day and boarding.

Pupil Nationality Mix
60% UK students; 40% international students; 49 nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Two SENDCOs (Leighton Bright and Ian Duxbury) coordinate SEND provision. High-quality teaching is differentiated for SEND, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) recognised as a potential factor; exam access arrangements (e.g., extra time, scribe, reader) can be requested where appropriate.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
Six lessons a day, each 55 minutes long.

Bus service
Local minibus services cover much of Kent including Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Kings Hill.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school offers on-campus boarding for up to 180 students each year, with boarding from age 11+. Students board in single rooms, some with en-suite facilities, and a small number of twin rooms are available for younger students. Offsite houses are provided for students over 18 who prefer independent living but still receive College support and catering. Weekly boarding is available, starting Sunday evening or Monday morning, with weekend activities and fully catered meals accommodating dietary needs (Coeliac, Halal, non-dairy) and vegetarian options.

Uniform Requirement
The school has no uniform; students are free to wear whatever they like.

Food Options
The school has fully catered boarding with meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Diets can be accommodated including Coeliac, Halal and non-dairy, with vegetarian options available. There are international food nights featuring cuisines from Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand, China and Eastern Europe.

House System
The school has houses; older students retaking A levels are grouped together in houses so they live and study with others in the same position.

Governance and Ownership
The school has Dukes Education Group Ltd as proprietor. The Governors are Aatif Hassan (Chair), Tim Fish (CEO, Dukes Education), Jonathan Cuff (Managing Director), Paul Ludlow (Safeguarding Governor), Rob Humphreys (Finance Director) and Neil Roskilly (Independent Governor).
Fees

Annual tuition at Rochester Independent College ranges from GBP 21,150 to GBP 63,000 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees
- Registration fee (all students): GBP 360 (non‑refundable; payable on application for international students).

Deposits
- Acceptance / deposit on application: Day students GBP 1,500; Boarding students GBP 3,500. Deposits are held on account and deductions will apply as set out in the college's terms and conditions.

Day tuition fees — termly and annual (full‑time students)
- Year 7–9: GBP 7,050 per term · GBP 21,150 per year.
- Year 10–11: GBP 9,500 per term · GBP 28,500 per year.
- Year 12–13 (Sixth Form): GBP 10,550 per term · GBP 31,650 per year.
- Intensive course (entry into Year 11 or 13 / one‑year retakes): GBP 11,100 per term · GBP 33,300 per year.

Boarding fees — termly and annual (where applicable)
- Full boarding (standard campus): GBP 8,200 per term · GBP 24,600 per year.
- Full boarding (Northbank campus): GBP 9,900 per term · GBP 29,700 per year.
- Weekly boarding (on request): GBP 7,200 per term · GBP 21,600 per year.

Total tuition + boarding (termly and annual) — common combinations
- Year 7–9 (tuition + full boarding): GBP 15,250 per term · GBP 45,750 per year.
- Year 10–11 (tuition + full boarding): GBP 17,700 per term · GBP 53,100 per year.
- Year 12–13 (tuition + full boarding): GBP 18,750 per term · GBP 56,250 per year.
- Intensive course (tuition + full boarding): GBP 19,300 per term · GBP 57,900 per year.
- Year 12–13 (tuition + Northbank boarding): GBP 20,450 per term · GBP 61,350 per year.
- Intensive course (Northbank): GBP 21,000 per term · GBP 63,000 per year.
- UAL Art Foundation total (standard / Northbank): GBP 17,860 per term · GBP 53,580 per year; GBP 19,560 per term · GBP 58,680 per year.

Billing schedule & payment terms
- The registration/acceptance deposit is payable at the time of application. Standard school fees are payable in three termly instalments (fees invoiced termly and normally due before each term). Fees are deducted from the deposit as set out in the college's terms and conditions; a deposit top‑up may be required to cover additional expenses.
- Invoices and the college's formal terms and conditions set out notice requirements, cancellation and how deposits are retained or credited against fees. Parents/fee‑payers are contractually liable for termly fees and any supplemental charges.

What the fees include
- Full boarding in single rooms (where boarding fees apply) including all meals, cleaning, bedlinen and laundry service.
- Tuition for a standard programme (typically 3 or more A‑levels / 5 or more GCSEs).
- Lunches (for lower years) and textbooks as specified for the cohort.
All listed fees are inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT where relevant).

What is not included / other costs to budget for
- Examination entry fees and individual music lessons are charged in addition to tuition and are normally billed separately (exam charges are commonly deducted from the deposit or invoiced).
- Transport (college minibus), trips and excursions, taxis and certain sundry extras are not included.
- Textbooks are supplied at cost where applicable and some specialist or optional activities may carry additional charges.
- The college does not charge extra supplements for additional A‑levels, English tuition or practical fees for Science and Arts subjects in normal circumstances.

Examination fees
- Examination entries are charged per subject and billed separately. Typical published entry charges quoted in the college's fee documents and international student guidance are in the range of about GBP 130–GBP 250 depending on qualification type (GCSE/AS/A2 per subject at the lower figure, and a full A‑level at the higher figure); examination charges are handled as separate items on the student account.

Refunds and cancellations (summary of practice)
- The registration/registration fee is non‑refundable.
- Deposits are retained or deducted in accordance with the college's published terms and conditions and may be used to cover outstanding fees or charges; a deposit top‑up may be required if additional expenses arise.
- Cancellation, notice and refund rules (including any rights to a refund within short statutory cancellation periods, treatment of deposits and whether term‑in‑lieu charges apply) are governed by the college's terms and conditions and the contractual acceptance form.

Fee payment options
- The college issues invoices and provides bank details on statements for payment by bank transfer. For some programmes and bookings the college accepts online payments via a secure payment platform (Stripe/Flywire) which supports card payments and bank transfer methods. Payment by bank transfer, online card payment or the college's nominated electronic channels is used in practice; specific instructions and the preferred method appear on invoices and confirmation statements.

Uniform / clothing costs
- There is no school uniform; students dress informally, so there is no compulsory uniform cost to budget for.

(Amounts shown are the published fee lines for the 2026/27 fee schedule where available; registration, deposit, termly and annual figures above reflect the college's published 2026/27 fee documents and associated fee schedules.)
Academics

Rochester Independent College teaches British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a full GCSE and A level curriculum with a wide subject range including Maths & Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Maths & Further Maths, PE, Physics, Psychology, Sport BTEC); English (English Language, English Literature); Languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish); Humanities (Classical Civilisation, Geography, History of Art, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies); Social Sciences (Business Studies, Economics, Global Perspectives, Politics, Sociology); Visual Arts (Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion and Textiles, Photography, Film Studies, Media Studies, Digital Media and Design, Ceramics (3D Design)); Performing Arts (Drama & Theatre Studies, Music & Music Technology, Dance); and PSHE.

Exam Results
A level results (2026): 419 entries; 35% A*/A; 81% A*-C; top A* in History, Philosophy, Maths and Modern Languages. GCSE results (2026): 37% of grades 9-7 (A*-A); 81% of grades 9-4 (A*-C). Rochester Independent College is a non-selective school.

Higher Education Progression
Destinations are diverse, with many students entering Russell Group universities and a broad range of institutions. Top destinations over the last five years include University of the Arts London (UAL) and University College London (UCL). The ten most frequent destinations are University of the Arts London, University College London, University of Kent, University of Bristol, University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University of Southampton, Loughborough University, Nottingham Trent University, and University of East Anglia (with University of Reading, University of York, University of Exeter also common).

Gifted and Talented
RIC offers a small number of scholarships to academically and creatively talented students each year.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care and student support are highly structured. Regular meetings with form tutors and Directors of Studies weave welfare and academic support through RIC life. The safeguarding, learning support, counselling, boarding and medical teams work together to care for each student. PSHE is part of the curriculum and students are listened to and encouraged to speak up.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning support is provided to assist students. The learning support team works alongside safeguarding, counselling, boarding and medical staff. Boarding staff and tutors monitor progress and provide tailored assistance.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
An EAL team supports international students with language needs. They work on subject vocabulary to aid understanding and improve performance. The team can translate students' concerns and liaise with staff. Staff speak multiple languages to support communication.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported by a team in boarding and college life. Boarding staff live on site and are available 24/7 to monitor and assist students. An on-site nurse and an independent listener are available to students. International Coordinators maintain an open-door policy for welfare concerns.

Safeguarding
Rochester Independent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. The environment is safe, caring, inclusive. Online Safety is an important aspect, and staff are trained to recognise when students need support. Safeguarding procedures are holistic and apply to boarding as well. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility; students' voices are heard.
Parent Experience

History
The College was opened in 1984 by mathematicians Brian Pain and Simon de Belder as Rochester Tutors and later became Rochester Independent College. It started in one house at 25 Star Hill and grew to occupy 14 listed buildings, creating a connected campus with gardens. A Lower School for year 7–11 opened in April 2007, and Ofsted judged the quality of education as outstanding when first inspecting the college as a secondary school. In 2016 Rochester Independent College joined the Dukes Education Group, which supports facilities and staffing while preserving the college ethos. Project 2025 and the Northbank campus plan expanded the site, with the Northbank campus opening in 2025 and involving acquisitions opposite the main campus.

Community
RIC has a diverse community of about 425 students and 100 staff on an urban campus at the heart of a designated conservation area. The campus layout and gardens foster opportunities to forge friendships, build community, and pursue education in a relaxed, university-like environment with small class sizes. A new student residential village and visual arts centre—Northbank—opened opposite the main campus in 2025. The fortieth anniversary of the College was celebrated in 2024–25.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
RIC joined Dukes Education in 2016 and is governed by the Dukes Education group. The Dukes Club connects families across all Dukes Education nurseries, schools and colleges and provides a space to learn, network, access opportunities, and make new friends. The college has earned Dukes Education awards, including School of the Year in 2018 and Sustainability in 2022. Dukes Plus offers university preparation, industry experiences, tuition, and career support, including InvestIN and access to partner services such as Oxbridge Applications and The Medic Portal. Parents are invited to join the Dukes Club to engage with the wider Dukes network.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rochester Independent College operates across multiple linked buildings and gardens in Rochester, Kent, blending historic Georgian houses with modern teaching and boarding spaces. The Northbank Campus (opened in 2025) houses a dedicated boarding village and the Gowers Visual Arts Centre. The campus includes a refurbished multi-use games area (MUGA) with state-of-the-art turf, a fully equipped gym, eight science labs, and a range of specialist teaching spaces. The Computer Science suite features Apple Macs and other equipment, and the Music Hub offers teaching and practice rooms for a wide range of instruments. Garden classrooms and outdoor spaces such as Star Hill teaching rooms, the Dome, and the New Court library provide spaces for language learning and collaborative projects.

Sports Facilities
The campus features a newly refurbished multi-use games area (MUGA) with state-of-the-art sports turf for hockey, football, basketball, netball and pickleball. The MUGA is busy at break times and after school, and Oscar the College dog is sometimes seen there. The gym is fully equipped and accessible to students during lunchtimes and break times, including after school for boarders. A dedicated sports pitch supports outdoor sports as part of the broader athletic facilities on campus.

Academic Facilities
The college has eight fully equipped laboratories used by Lower School and Sixth Form. The Computer Science facilities include state-of-the-art Apple Macs, with retro computers and gaming consoles. The Gowers Centre for Visual Arts provides a state-of-the-art space with specialist art and design studios. New Court houses a dedicated sixth form study centre and a library with teaching rooms for Sociology, Politics, History and Film. Garden Classrooms host modern foreign languages and outdoor teaching spaces.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Rochester offers sporting, cultural and enrichment opportunities. Underhill Hall hosts events such as the Great British Economics Olympiad, Renaissance Scholars, performances and art exhibitions. The Dome is used for art lessons, yoga and as a breakout zone. The Music Hub provides teaching and practice rooms with instruments. Enrichment includes theatre productions and arts events at major venues.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Rochester Independent College offers 40+ subjects taught to A level and intensive one-year GCSE and A level courses. Classes are small, averaging eight students per group. The sixth form focuses on university preparation with a dedicated Director of Studies and extensive one-to-one guidance. The college provides specialist preparation for Oxbridge applications and for other highly competitive courses, with partnerships with Dukes Education to support university admissions including US and European applications and portfolio guidance.

Arts & Creative
An arts and creative core sits at the heart of life at RIC. Students participate in drama, film, music, life drawing, and pottery through a wide range of clubs and activities. School shows and LAMDA provide performance opportunities, and there are regular theatre visits to London. The music program offers instrumental lessons, talent shows and garden gigs.

Cultural & Language
RIC has a diverse community with 60% UK students and 40% international, representing 49 nationalities. It offers international trips and cultural experiences, including journeys to Japan, India, Sweden and France. There are theatre and art focused trips to London and other cities as part of the cultural program. The international mix and cultural activities foster cross-cultural learning.

Social & Hobbies
An active Student Council runs many of the social activities and clubs at RIC. Debating teams reach the finals of the English Speaking Union Schools Mace competition and have won the CIFE sixth form quiz championship. A wide range of clubs covers sport such as mini golf, basketball, netball, football, quidditch and dodgeball, as well as chess, yoga, life drawing, pottery, debating, film, social justice, LGBTQ+ clubs, Dungeons and Dragons and the philosophy society. There are theatre trips and a film club for additional social and cultural engagement.

Community & Service
DofE is thriving at RIC.182 hours of volunteering were completed by DofE students last year, including a weekend in Ashdown Forest and progressing to Gold. The Student Council and the wider community foster a welcoming environment, with students engaged in community-oriented activities. The schools international mix, with 49 nationalities, reinforces a strong sense of community.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities exist through the Student Council, including student-led events and initiatives; Clara is the Community Lead of the RIC Student Council. The Director of Studies in the sixth form provides one-to-one guidance and support for progress and university applications. The college partners with Dukes Education to deliver university admissions support, including Oxbridge and US/European pathways, and offers interview training and guidance for competitive courses.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Residential life emphasizes independence and wellbeing, with a campus that resembles university life and a residential village nearby. The historic site features wildlife gardens that contribute to a calm learning environment. Pastoral care is strong, with safeguarding, learning support, counselling, boarding and medical staff working as a team, and small class sizes support wellbeing. On-site facilities include a gym and outdoor sport spaces for physical activity and wellness.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. GCSE and A Level courses are offered in these languages; GCSE German is available as an after-school option, and A Level German is a full curriculum subject. All A Level Modern Foreign Language courses are open to beginners and native speakers, with accelerated options for those with prior knowledge. The school provides English language support for international students through an EAL team, and the International Student Course combines intensive English language teaching with GCSE-level study.
Reputation

Accreditations
Independent Schools Council (ISC) accreditation — ISC is the national body representing independent schools in the UK.
Independent Schools Association (ISA) membership — ISA is the professional association for independent schools.
CIFE membership — The professional association of independent sixth-form colleges.
Good Schools Guide status — Designated as a Good Schools Guide School.
Boarding Schools Association (BSA) membership — BSA is the membership body for boarding schools.
AEGIS membership — The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students.
The British Boarding Schools Network membership — Network for British boarding schools.
Last ISI visit: June 2024 (Material Change Inspection) — Latest ISI visit was a material change inspection in June 2024.
Last ISI regulatory compliance inspection: January 2023 — Latest ISI regulatory compliance inspection occurred in January 2023; the school was fully compliant.
Full ISI inspection: November 2018 (Educational Quality: Good; Personal Development: Excellent) — The last full ISI inspection concluded Educational Quality: Good and Personal Development: Excellent.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions at RIC are about finding a good fit. UK students should visit the College for an informal interview with a parent or guardian, meet teachers, observe lessons in progress, and get a real sense of how RIC operates. The first step is to contact the College to arrange an informal visit, interview and campus tour. You can call +44 (0)1634 828115, email admissions@rochester-college.org.uk, or fill in an enquiry or application form online. 2. Lower School admissions involve entry mainly in September for Year 7, with some students joining in Year 9 or other years if space is available. A good academic aptitude, an interest in learning, and a positive behaviour record are sought, and taster days are required. The first step is to contact the College to arrange an informal visit, interview and campus tour. 3. Sixth Form admissions offer usual entry points: starting a two-year A level course after GCSEs, direct entry into Year 13/Upper Sixth after a year at another UK or international school, joining a one-year intensive A level programme, or a one-year A level retake programme after completing A levels or the IB at another school. The first step is to contact the College to arrange an informal visit, interview and campus tour or to apply online. 4. International admissions require an application form with details of public examinations, recent school reports and transcripts, and a reference from a Headteacher or Head of Year. Non-native speakers must take the College's English test; Lower School applicants will also take a Maths test; Sixth Form applicants may be asked to take subject tests or submit a portfolio. It is preferable to have an informal interview and campus tour, with zoom interviews possible if necessary. To start the process, fill in the enquiry form. 5. Admissions FAQs cover entry criteria, exams and testing, and flexibility of entry points: the College is not highly selective and treats each applicant as an individual; there are no entrance exams for Year 7; international students take an English test; for Sixth Form UK-based applicants there are no entrance exams based solely on GCSE; international Sixth Form applicants may be asked to take tests or submit an art portfolio. Fees and scholarships/bursaries are described separately. 6. Additional steps include visiting or booking a visit and obtaining further information: deposits and termly fee payments are described in the Terms and Conditions. 7. The College also notes that it has 425 students, with up to 180 boarders, and offers guardian and enrolment support as part of the international admissions process. All contact details are available through the admissions team.

Scholarships
Sixth Form College Scholarships: A small number of scholarships are awarded to academically and creatively gifted students, up to 20% of tuition fees, in Maths and Sciences; Social Sciences; Film and Media; Creative and Performing Arts. Lower School Scholarships: A small number of scholarships are offered at 11+ and 13+ for entry into Year 7 and Year 9, up to 50% of tuition fees, based on academic attainment and commitment to the school; these awards are highly competitive and successful applicants typically have passed the 11+ or performed well on Common Entrance. Bursaries: Bursaries are means-tested and not academically selective; they are awarded after a financial assessment, with typical reductions up to 50% of fees; households with incomes over £90,000 or significant investments may be unlikely to qualify. Full scholarship opportunities: Ralph Steadman art and design scholarship is a bi-annual award providing 100% tuition for three or more A levels (at least one in a visual arts subject); applications require a scholarship form, three digital images of original artwork, and a personal statement; shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview. Sustainability scholarship: A bi-annual award with next opportunities announced; includes 100% tuition in the Lower School for Year 7 through GCSEs, with expectations to engage in the Ecology and sustainability curriculum and to be a sustainability representative on the Student Council; holders may sit the Natural History GCSE when it launches. How to apply for scholarships: Complete the RIC scholarship application form, provide school reports showing exemplary behaviour and high effort, submit a 500-word (or shorter) personal statement about environmental interests and actions, and submit evidence of environmental activity; email admissions@rochester-college.org.uk; shortlisted applicants will be interviewed and may be asked to provide further work.
School Events
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