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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
Availability Not shared by this school
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

Vibes and Culture
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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
The school has not added this information
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
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Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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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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