Rochester Independent College, Rochester

In its own words: "The RIC educational experience is one that sees a wide range of subjects taught in a unique boarding campus environment designed to support learning and foster wellbeing and wonder. Students in all parts of the school do not sit at rows of individual desks but gather around one table, in the style of a university tutorial."

From the headteacher's welcome: "A Rochester Independent College education is grounded in our mission to support students to find their own direction and help them open doors to great universities. We focus on the highest levels of academic success while retaining a creative buzz. RIC is a small school with a personalised approach that has a huge impact on student achievement and self-esteem."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, cross-country, yoga, drama, chess, film and debating.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Rochester Independent College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.

The nearest other independent schools to Rochester Independent College are St Andrew's School (Rochester) (0.4 miles); King's School, Rochester (0.5 miles); Gad's Hill School (2.9 miles); and Cobham Hall (3.9 miles).

Of the 89 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 64% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 2% into work.

In 2026, 110 pupils (27.4%) received SEN support and 45 (11.2%) had an education, health and care plan.

The nearest railway station is Rochester Rail Station, about 630 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Delce Road, 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 617 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Medway (250), as is usual near a town centre.