Rochester Independent College

[mistressdipdop]

Hi, Does anyone know about this college? I am looking for my DS who is a bit of a square peg. Just been to have a look around and liked it but really want to hear about it from someone who has some experience of the place. Like the small class sizes (7/8). They get some amazing results and the kids all look really happy. Is there something else...? Would love to hear from you.www.mumsnet.com/te/11.gif

Looked at it and thought it was fab for retakes but didn't think it was right for my Y7. Its difficult to judge yet how well the school does because the first intake from Y7 hasn't yet sat exams. In the past it was around 60% for GCSE but you can't deduce anything since it was kids coming with baggage for a year or so from other schools. At A level too I noticed that kids who were going to Oxbridge or very highly regarded unis were from abroad like the Thai Govt Scholars. Saying that most of the other kids still seem to go to decent universities.

The reason I discarded it was it felt a little grown up for a Y7, there really isn't any outside grounds or play area for them to go during breaks. They just spend their time in the area around the dinning room. A bit further down in the main school there was a bit of cramped outside space but junior don't really go down there for breaks.

There aren't any organised activities like sports etc at the college, the said they could arrange music lessons if wanted but that was really about it.

Saying that the stuff seemed really enthusiastic and I didn't rule it out completely, just thought it maybe a better fit when my child was a little older and didn't need running around outside during breaks.

Thanks for that. I was mulling it over and I too think that its a bit mature for my Y8. Its perhaps a place we can bear in mind in the future. DH is looking around next - he is very trad so I dont think he will be keen! Time will tell...

This is an amazing college - my dd went there for a year and had amazing results. I wish we had found it earlier - small classes with discussions so when she had the exams she just basically remembered her class. Cannot speak highly enough of the place. We were very sceptical at first but having experienced the school I would not hesitate again. So much better than Kings Canterbury which is where we sent her first.

Thanks Rosetti. How old was your DD when she went? DS is going to be 13. DH is looking on Monday with DS.

Hi,just thought i would add a few thoughts to this.My daughter is a student at rochester indepdendent college and has been from the age of 11.She is currently in 6th form.Befor this she was home ed.I have found this school to be excellent.They are caring,nurturing and understanding.The outside playing spaces whist restricted also take away the playground bully.These spaces are cosy,friendly and child/teenager friendly.My daughter has found this school to be almost a replacement home.Unbelievably caring.In my opinion no-one needs to worry about sending their child to school here,everything is excellent.

Just picking up on this old thread as the old question of what slightly different schools do is ongoing.

I found it was a good fit up to GCSE for my square peg and the small class sizes were fantastic.
The teachers obviously know all the kids..... On our way up to the school to collect GCSE results we were stopped by my son's Maths teacher who wouldn't tell us the result but said she was delighted and was visibly bursting with pride at his excellent grade in her subject.

Definitely worth a look for all but the sportier child who might miss the more traditional sports (although mine loved the dry skiing etc offered instead)

Really good to read messages from DEBEN and trafalgargal re RIC. We are going to look at it next week for DS for 6th form and have not yet found anyone who did not like it. Any other views please let me know.

Bumping up this old thread - caroann58 what was you experiencing on RIC please? Looking into it for DC

Just thought I'd give my view as a parent. We started our daughter here in year 7, Sept 2016. She absolutely loves it. She has dyspraxia, and is quite young emotionally for her age. She had issues at her primary school with bullying, and also was also struggling academically. We felt she wouldn't cope in a standard high school setting.

Since starting here, she has for the first time been really enthusiastic about school, and is excelling at some subjects which she had no interest in before. I think this is down to the standard of the teaching - the enthusiasm the staff generate is brilliant.
It is quite a 'grown up' school, which made me nervous at first, but actually the care and consideration shown to the year 7's has been amazing, and I never worry about her being at school - I know she's safe with people who look out for her. This ethos carries down to the students - the older ones are very sweet to the younger ones, and as there aren't many year 7's, they are seen as an endearing novelty! Also, the class sizes in lower school are tiny, which has been the gentle start to secondary school that my daughter needed.
Don't worry about the lack of sport facilities - they frequently take the students off site to parks, playgrounds, and sports grounds.

We are so pleased our daughter is here, and although it wouldn't be the right place for everyone, it's ideal for the more sensitive/quirky child. This is a place where they can be themselves.

Hello all, I wonder if I bump this now months later will anyone pick up on it? Just been looking round for year 10 - two things - has anyone ever had a bursary? and how does it work with such small classes - if you fall out, where do you go?!

Hey there! I am a student at RIC with a large bursary. The kids at this school come from a huge variety of different backgrounds so I wouldn't worry about money. I would hugely encourage anyone considering joining and want to say that the outdoor space is completely adequate! There's sports on the hard court every day and lunchtime clubs for anyone interested, plus the large patches of green provide an excellent senary for Hide and Seek IT, etc. Definitely the most amazing school ever!

Ps. The classes are very tight big and empty classrooms/common rooms are good getaway spaces for any arguments that do happen (they are very rare)

Hi, I wonder if anyone would have more comments on RIC. I'm looking to move my y9 girl there, she is not thriving at her grammar at present. Lots of school related anxieties etc. Any fresh comments please. Tia

I can give you some up to date commentary!
My daughter is there, year 13. She's been there since year 7. She has dyspraxia and a possible ASD diagnosis pending. She has thrived there.
The small classes have helped an awful lot. She has never been bullied, which was our biggest fear for her as she's a quirky girl, and experienced this at primary school.
Now they're doing A-levels, the small classes and teaching stafff really come into their own. They are very focussed on getting them through their exams whilst protecting their mental health. The staff are kind and nurturing, and really look out for each child.
The level of teaching support is amazing. My daughter has had loads of individual help, and passed 8 GCSE's which she never would have done in the original school we were offered.

Teachers are known by their first names, and it's a student-teacher collaborative approach, which is very gentle.
Very dedicated team. For instance, I emailed one of her teachers about something at 9.30pm last night expecting a response next morning but they replied straight away.
Lots of kids join mid-year and they soon get absorbed into the gang. One of the best things for us has been the other students. They have been such a lovely bunch - recognising my daughter's social gaps, and looking out for her.
I'm a big fan, as you can see! We've had to make major financial sacrifices for her to stay here over the years, but it's meant she's actually enjoyed her high school experience, which I would never have though possible back in year 6.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask me anything.

Hi @KayakInDeepWater . I started this thread way back in 2011 asking for my DS. We didn’t send him there in the end (he ended up going to St Edmunds) but we did send our DD who was having a pretty awful time at her grammar school so we pulled her out of lower sixth in the October half term. She quickly settled into RIC and her mojo returned. The thing she enjoyed most was the way the teachers interacted with her - she felt more like an adult than a pupil at school. There were no harsh punishments for handing work in late; the staff put the onus on the student - if they don’t out the work in they don’t get the results. This approach worked wonders with DD and she really focused on her subjects. I couldn’t recommend this place highly enough. It turned my DD life around and gave her excellent options. The staff are super friendly and completely approachable. Loved it.

@AlwaysL8 ,thank you so much for the update, its so reassuring!! I am torn, as my daughter doesn't want to move, as she likes the girls at her current school, but cries over the homework etc almost every other day and is constantly tired and stomach aches etc etc... I just don't see how she can be her once happy self were she is now.. Some diagnosis pending, which makes matters only harder for us...

@chocolatebrioche ,thank you so much! The story of your daughter is inspiring, so happy you found this place for her. I'm so hoping it will be the right place for my daughter too... I'm torn, as she is not thriving at her current school, senco is barely helpful, but she likes the girls there. Wish me to be brave and hope she will become her old happy self there. Wishing all the best to your girl!

Thank you all for such positive comments - we are looking at schools for my daughter (only 9 at the moment so we have a while, I'm a planner!!) and saw RIC yesterday. We were blown away - it seemed utterly wonderful. My daughter is autistic and quirky and it seems like a great fit for her. I'd love to hear from anyone who went to RIC with an EHCP and anyone with experience of bursaries there. Fingers crossed, thank you ❤️

We saw RIC on Saturday too! For my Y5 when she goes into Y7. We were incredibly impressed and loved the school. It was nice to find this thread.

That's so good to hear! Let me know if you go ahead :)

@AlwaysL8 please could you share your experience of St Ed’s in comparison to RIC? My eldest is at RIC and I’m really positive about it but St Ed’s is nearer to us and I’m wondering if it might be a better fit for our younger child. They are dyslexic, very sensitive, love creative subjects especially drama and dance and are also fairly sporty but not necessarily in a super competitive way. How is the nurture at St Ed’s and are the children really supported as individuals? Does it feel very elite? How did yours get on with the extended time in the juniors? Did they feel it was keeping them in a kiddie environment for a longer time or did it just feel nurturing? Thank you! 😊

Considering RIC for my Y10 daughter who is really struggling emotionally in mainstream state school. Shes bright, creative and full of potential but has sunk since starting high school and received very little support. Shes now EBSA. Any feedback on RIC would be amazing.
We live in Cheshire so it would be a big move and her younger brother (Y7) is happy here so it’s a really tough call.

Hi, the school is great and senco support is great and proactive. Have you visited the school at all? It was great for my kid and they helped where they could. Do you know what exactly triggers the school avoidance in your daughter? Is it friends/noise/bullying/ unmet ND needs? We were upfront with the school about the problems and my child went in there after a grammar school and found new friends. Although due to her Nd neurotype and y11 GCSE the life is still not easy for her. On the plus side the school is brilliant in liaising with us to help to find a joint solution. There are no daft detentions, no uniform, very diverse environment. Lots of subject support available too. Good luck to your daughter with whatever you decide

We have just signed my daughter up to start RIC in year 7 next year (2026). Would love to hear from anyone else starting next year, we are all so excited!