What is Rochester Independent College like?

Rochester Independent College lies a 40 minute train ride from London St Pancras, and around an hour’s drive from Gatwick or Heathrow. It occupies a tardis-like campus in the city centre, with on-site boarding for over 100 students and a wealth of eclectic and functional buildings set in beautiful Kentish gardens.

Like many colleges (as opposed to “schools”) RIC originated back in the 80s as something of an academic rescue centre for students who needed to retake exams. It still offers bespoke retake programmes and maintains the less formal atmosphere (e.g no uniform) of a college, but has since grown organically to offer much more.

The majority of RIC’s 6th form students now take 2 year A-level programmes, with a great balance between the creative and academic subjects.  Over the past 5 years the college has also added a significant number of younger students (aged 11-16) who seem to embrace the more mature and responsible environment. As a result, there is now an equal balance between senior (11-16) and sixth form (16-19) students.

RIC has a unique, slightly bohemian character where small class sizes (average of 8) see smiling students and teachers form close, respectful and productive bonds.

The college caters for day students aged 11+ and domestic and international boarders can arrive at age 15+.

Is RIC a good school?

RIC is non-selective, meaning it enrols students with a wide range of academic interests and abilities. As a result, it is unlikley to ever threaten the table toppers of the independent school A-level league table.

However, RIC does make the independent school top 50 when looking at the A-level value added table. In fact, RIC performs so well at helping students surpass their expected A-level grades that it is in the top 2% for all schools in England.

All this proves that RIC can take a student of any ability and help them maximise their academic performance. The result is an incredibly varied range of RIC university progressions, from Art school to Med school and everything in-between.

RIC is not a school for conservative lovers of tradition but offers outstanding individual care for each student in a mature, fun and inclusive environment.

Is it hard to get into RIC?

Not particularly – the college is proudly non-selective and will do its utmost to put together an individual learning programme to help students achieve whatever goals they have in mind.

However, all students are interviewed and need to show a good understanding of the RIC ethos, with commitment, enthusiasm and hard work the key (and bare minimum!) requirements.

What is boarding at RIC like?

As of the academic year 2023-24, RIC offers around 140 on-campus beds, the majority of which are single rooms and many with en-suite. All boarding has 24/7 supervision and support, with over 18s segregated from the under 18s.

Expansion plans are already underway, with brand new boarding facilities being built above RIC’s new “Village” Arts centre.