Established in 1984, RIC is a place for individuals and a successfully distinctive alternative to traditional schools. There’s no uniform, everybody is on first name terms and the average class size is 8. As well as a complete secondary education from year 7 to sixth form we specialise in A level and GCSE retakes and intensive courses. Creative arts share equal billing with traditional academic study. Atmospherically relaxed, there’s an emphasis on exam success without unnecessary pressure. It’s a natural stepping-stone between school and university.
The first thing you’ll notice when you visit RIC is that our home is a one-of-a-kind urban campus at the heart of a designated conservation area. It’s a must-see for prospective families. The historic site, with listed buildings linked by award winning wildlife gardens, has a uniquely warm sense of place in which our diverse community of 345 students and 100 staff study and work.
RIC students, described by The Good Schools Guide as a “strikingly nice bunch,” voice their opinions and think critically, creatively and independently. 75% of them are from the UK, 25% are international from 30 different countries. The mutual respect between teachers and students is palpable. We welcome children from the age of 11 and boarders from the age of 15. They leave us not only with results that exceed expectations and open doors beyond RIC but with empathy and optimism, enthusiasm for the future and confidence about themselves and their education.
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 2022.
As we grow, we’re maintaining a focus on what makes the special alchemy of the RIC culture work: an aspirational, informal and creative environment, flexibility of approach and a focus on the individual needs of every student who comes to us, whether in the Lower School or Sixth Form. Visit our campus just once and you’ll swiftly see why RIC is a school unlike any other.
Mr Alistair Brownlow
Head
