Year 7 Taster Day: Thurs 8 October 2026
Sixth form Open Evening: Weds 18 November 2026
No uniform. An average class size of eight. Students from the age of 11. An urban campus at the heart of a designated conservation area in Kent. Flexible timetabling. Day and boarding options. No subject combination restrictions. Rochester Independent College is no conventional school. Instead, it’s a blast of fresh air.
RIC students voice their opinions and think critically, creatively and independently. 60% of them are local and from the UK, 40% are international, representing 49 different nationalities.
While students may join its different year groups for many reasons, with admission to each year group non-selective, the progress made by pupils once at RIC is a record to be proud of.
For younger students, RIC offers a warm and supportive introduction to senior education from age 11, with small classes and individual attention helping pupils settle in and thrive from the outset. Prospective Year 7 families are welcome to attend taster days, giving children the chance to experience life at the College before joining.
The focus is on mutual respect, good behaviour, achievement without unnecessary pressure and a supportive atmosphere leading to outstanding exam success. In 2025, 32% of A level entries were graded A*–A, with 82% achieving A*–C. Every year RIC students progress to high ranking universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, UAL, Bristol, Manchester, Durham, Edinburgh and KCL.
An academic curriculum runs alongside a creative one, where pupils take courses including Photography, Film, Fashion and Textiles and Fine Art alongside Maths, English, Science and other core subjects. Over 40 subjects are offered at GCSE and A level. More unusual options include Music Technology and Digital Media, alongside serious preparation for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Oxbridge and other highly selective university courses.
The historic site, with listed, sympathetically refurbished buildings linked by award winning wildlife gardens, has a uniquely warm sense of place in which a diverse community of around 425 students studies and works. The campus features a theatre, a gym, a multi-use games area and plenty of green space. New for 2025 is Northbank, RIC’s student residential village and visual arts centre, opened directly opposite the original College campus.
Having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, Kent’s RIC continues to stand out as a real alternative where academic excellence meets creative freedom.
Contact our friendly admissions team on 01634 828115 to find out more, book a visit or arrange a taster day. www.rochester-college.org.uk
01634 828115