2017/18 | 01634 828115 www.rochester-college.org THE RIC TIMES A co-educational day & | Year 7 to Sixth Form | Non-selective & high performing | ISC accredited Non-selective 6th form Boarding at Retake GCSE while Rethink your subjects Switching schools No option blocks Rochester starting A levels Intensive, short Year 13 move Average class size 8 Weekly and full A fresh start GCSEs and A levels to improve

University entrance specialists

Founded in 1984, Rochester Independent RIC aims to give students an enjoyable Caitlin Borowsky, below left, who has College is a co-educational day and and successful experience of school in attended RIC since year 7 says: boarding school offering a distinctive an international environment with small “RIC gives you space, the flexibility to alternative to both traditional independent classes and high-quality teaching and take things into your own hands and education and the highly selective local pastoral care. Students in all years of structure your education to suit you. grammar schools. the school do not sit in rows but gather There is no ‘one size fits all’ attitude.” Visit and you will immediately sense this around one table, in the style of a university difference. The mutual respect between tutorial. The focus is on achievement Having achieved outstanding GCSE teachers and students is palpable. There without unnecessary pressure; the lively, results including 2 A* grades in year 10, is no uniform, no bells ring, students and supportive and informal atmosphere leads she got offers from all four of her chosen staff are on first name terms and the to exam success. At RIC students learn Medical Schools and the three A grades average class size is 8. and achieve more because they enjoy at A level she needed to meet them. She school and feel positive about themselves. is now off to Sheffield, her first choice. The first thing you’ll noticeis that we oc- cupy a one-of-a-kind urban campus. Caitlin consistently worked hard At the heart of a designated conservation but says she did so in a very supportive area, the historically distinctive site with environment: “The teachers always gave listed buildings linked by award-winning me a lot of time outside of lessons, wildlife gardens creates a special sense even in break times. I always had my of place to explore and in which to live, questions answered and the interest study and work. Visit our campus just and passion of the teachers for their once and you’ll swiftly see why RIC is a subjects really shines through.” school unlike any other. RIC’s flying doctors Despite the increased competition and Thank you for all the encouragement and the reduction in places available to those support.” Priya Takhar and Amman Sall who resit, students from RIC have again (left), both off to dental school, came to gained places at Medical and Dental RIC from the same with Schools. Bolu Alade (Medicine at Liverpool) matching ABB grades at A level to retake says: “Retaking seemed a massive risk. Biology and Chemistry. Priya gained But with my place confirmed I know it A*A* and Amman A*A. Amman says: “I was all worthwhile. I cannot emphasise wouldn’t have been able to do it without enough the importance of the insight you all the help at RIC. I really appreciate all provided in the mock interview. the support from everyone there.”

“RIC was beyond instrumental for me. It completely reinvigorated my love of learning.” Abigail Pile, Durham History graduate From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 Switching schools for exam success

Lower School and Year 11 Sixth Form New Subjects Transferring for Year 13 Students join different year groups for Changing schools after GCSEs is a Choosing A level subjects is not an easy Transferring mid A levels is an option, many reasons. popular option, sometimes to access a process and, in many schools, it is even particularly if disappointing results have more adult environment, or a wider choice harder to change them. At RIC, we under- knocked your confidence or you want to Nikita Pillai joined year of A levels, or simply because of a move stand that something has to change if the change direction and not lose a year. 11 after time in many into the area. path a student has chosen is not working. Jessica Learmont joined in year 13 to different schools. As Laura Heppel, who changed her focus Cherish Layton (above) joined RIC year to Arts having already completed Science take Film and History of Art from scratch instead of her science AS subjects while “I’ve studied in different 12 from a school in Grimsby after a A levels, says: “One thing that makes RIC continuing English, her chosen University schools in 3 continents family move to . She is now heading different is the attitude to subject choice. subject, which she will now take at Exeter. and RIC has been my most enjoyable to Sussex to read Psychology. Picking up something new is encouraged - experience. Teaching here is tailored to try different classes to find the best fit. RIC For aspiring actress, Elizabeth Brown each student and the environment was “RIC was very different from my excels at helping students find their stride (above) , who converted disappointing AS welcoming from day one.” . I went from being before moving on to Higher Education.” grades into top A levels, it is a move she in classes of 30 to classes of 8, which will never regret: “It really was the best Oliver Laming (above, now off to makes such a difference. The teachers Charlie Morris decided to make the decision I have ever made. Over this year, Edinburgh to read History) joined in are very friendly and try to give you any change at the end of year 12 and I have grown as a person, I’ve discovered year 9: “My previous school helped a extra help you need. The best aspect was moved to RIC as a boarder to focus on that I don’t just fit into one box. RIC helped lot with my Aspergers, but didn’t offer the atmosphere. Everything felt so relaxed expressive arts rather than sciences. me regain my confidence in drama and the GCSEs I wanted. RIC has given me and I could do my work in a way that He gained ABC in Drama, English and essay writing too and has shown me other far broader options than I would suited me best. Without the teachers’ Photography and is off to Winchester, his interests to be passionate about. I am otherwise have had.” support, I wouldn’t have done as well.” first choice, to launch his career in Film. really excited about the course at E15.”

University Destinations 2017 UCAS places as at 21/8/17

Student Name Previous School University Course University Student Name Previous School University Course University Jesulabomi Aiyere St Olave’s Grammar Accounting & Mgmt Kent Rebecca Feyikemi Delano Sherborne International Law Leicester Lola Akinpitansoye St Catherine’s Catholic Accounting & Finance Portsmouth Allan Delow , Politics and Intl Relations Nottingham Bolutife (Bolu) Alade Rainham Mark Medicine Liverpool Henry Dobson King’s Canterbury Mechanical Engineering Nottingham Fatima Ansari Chatham Girls Grammar Economics & Finance Brunel Edward Evans Canterbury Computer Science Kent Olivia Bagshawe King’s Canterbury Management Leeds Gabriella Felipes Westside School, Gibraltar Film, Culture & Marketing Liverpool Olivia Barker Fort Pitt Grammar Fashion Fashion Academy Oliver Fielder Bethany School Project Mgmt Surveying South Wales Lucetta Barrett St Edmund’s, Canterbury Popular Music Anglia Ruskin Ethan Fishwick Wilmington Grammar Geography Oxford Brookes Imogen Basi King’s Rochester Graphic Communication Bath Spa Varit Foongvanich Thai Government Scholar Mathematics Cambridge Nada Bassiony Rochester Grammar Medicine Liverpool Rose French College Zoology Southampton William Batey QE Grammar Civil Engineering Swansea James Bazeley St Edwards, Oxford PE/Psychology Oxford Brookes James Fry Bennett Memorial Archaeology Bradford Charlotte Bendkowski Eng Lang & Creative Writing Brighton Andrew Galletly Thomas Aveling Mechanical Engineering Lincoln David Bevis Wilmington Grammar Law Exeter Oscar Garcia King’s Rochester History Nottingham Henrietta Boeg Judd School Biomedical Sciences Bath Amardeep Ghataura Bishop’s Stortford High Product Design Notts Trent India Bonneau Brockwood Park School Graphic Design Falmouth Philippa Graham-Black St Edmund’s, Canterbury Medical Imaging Exeter Caitlin Borowsky RIC Year 7-13 Medicine Sheffield Mia Gray Midwifery CCCU Elspeth Bowes Sociology/Social Psych York William Griffiths School History & Politics Leicester Joshua Brimelow African Rd, New York Film Southampton Lorcan Halfacre King’s Canterbury Linguistics with Spanish Newcastle Elizabeth Brown Kent College, Canterbury Theatre Arts East 15 Essex Hugo Halpern RIC Year 7-13 Biochemistry Sussex Carl Burgess QE Grammar Ancient History Liverpool Ella Halpern-Matthews Tonbridge Grammar History KCL Jemima Burn Gad’s Hill Law with Criminology Brighton Jake Hayward Skinners’ School Mathematics Reading George Burns St Edmund’s, Canterbury Management Nottingham Charis Heim Judd School Human Physiology Leeds Hugo Cannon Homewood College Biology Bristol Catherine Henry RIC Year 7-13 App Behavioural Science Greenwich Haydn Cavalier Tej King’s Rochester Business Mgmt & Finance South Bank Laura Heppell Sir Roger Manwood’s English Sussex Kiatmeta Chongfungklang Thai Government Scholar Mathematical Physics Nottingham Laura Horner Cobham Hall International Development Sussex William Clark Bennett Memorial Product Design & Tech Manchester Met Timothy Collie Beths Grammar School Building Surveying Brighton Matthew Howarth Alcester Grammar School English Lang & Lit Lancaster Charlotte Collins St Olave’s Grammar Environmental Science Nottingham James Irvine Greenacre School Digital Media Portsmouth Daniel Davidson Morrison’s Academy Medical Sciences Dundee Goldice Javadian Folkestone Girls School Biomedical Science Sheffield Robert Davidson Eastbourne College Engineering Foundation Oxford Brookes Benjamin Joseph-Ebare Brooke House Sixth Form Applied Computing UEA Arielle de Lacey King’s Rochester Psychology & Philosophy Oxford Gabriella Kehily Simon Langton Grammar Economics Durham

“At RIC they’ll treat you like you’re at university and there’s a positive, hard working but fun vibe.” Akin Wright, Manchester University English student From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115

In 2016 the next chapter of the College’s This year, RIC students were invited to development began and we joined the the Dukes Education Young Person’s Dukes Education Group. Medical Conference. The event included Our students benefit from specialist talks on the future of medicine from university admissions advice from pre-eminent professionals in the Oxbridge Applications, Dukes US medical field, with application tutorials Admissions and Dukes Medical and taster workshops. Applications. Dukes Education supports Highlights included the much-celebrated students to win places at many of the ‘Be A Doctor For A Day’ workshop most competitive universities world- - fully immersive experiences in which wide, including Oxford, Cambridge, students took the role of medics in Harvard, Yale, Stanford, the LSE and Retaking and Boarding International Boarders challenging scenarios, such as a Imperial College . Sometimes students decide to return to RIC students come from a wide medical tribunal and the operating A levels after completing year 13 at other variety of backgrounds, including from Our teachers now benefit from theatre. The students were able to talk schools and board while doing so. international schools. exchanging ideas with staff from other to top medical consultants and doctors schools in the group like Cardiff Sixth Henry Dobson joined having already about their professional lives, gain tips Cho Wang Lee (Trevor) had studied Form College and Fine Arts College, spent a few weeks at university. He on how to apply to medical school and at an international school in Hong Kong Hampstead, London. accepted a place to study Physics examine real-life clinical cases. before coming to the UK. After through Clearing, but soon realised that attending a school in for a year, was not for him. So he decided to retake he switched to RIC for its more adult his A levels as a boarder, improve his Top 5 Science Destinations environment and because of his desire grades and apply for Engineering. He Rochester Independent College 2012-2017 to study Philosophy, for which he now now has a place at Nottingham having has a place at Warwick. Anemme 1 Cambridge University 13 improved his BCC in Chemistry, Maths Bassey (above) from Nigeria, is one of and Physics to AAA. 2 Bristol University 10 12 students to gain a grade A in English 3 Exeter University 8 Matthew Howarth (above) also Literature at the College this year. boarded to allow himself the best = Liverpool University 8 chance to improve his grades. While Among RIC’s top international 4 Imperial 6 not completely changing direction, he performers are Adisorn Panasawatwong, = Leeds University 6 took a new set of humanities subjects who is off to study Physics at Oxford 5 University College London 5 from scratch in one year. He went from University and Pinphong Sukkaew BBC to A*AA and won the place at who is going to study Natural Sciences = Sheffield University 5 Lancaster he was aiming for. at Cambridge. = Swansea University 5

Student Name Previous School University Course University Student Name Previous School University Course University Student Name Previous School University Course University Alexander Kidd Sutton Valence School Social Anthropology Manchester Keerttiga Ravi Business & Management Leeds Trinity Ilya Kovalev King’s Rochester Business Studies Lincoln James Read King’s, Canterbury Mathematics & Economics Newcastle Alexander Lai Rochester Maths Economics Surrey Adam Russell St Olave’s Grammar Geography Leicester Oliver Laming Trinity School Ancient & Medieval History Edinburgh Hammza Saleh Chatham Boys Grammar IT for Business Coventry Cherish Layton Ormiston Academy Psychology Sussex Amman Sall Mayfield Grammar Dental Surgery Plymouth Jessica Learmont Ashford School English Exeter Oliver Settle King’s Rochester History & American Studs Manchester Cho Wang (Trevor) Lee Shebbear College Philosophy Warwick Mohammed (Awais) Shafi Dartford Grammar Biological Sciences Leicester Pierre Marr St Gregory Catholic School Biological Sciences Reading Harrison Sharpe Sutton Valence School Graphic Design Nott Trent Arran Mattu Gad’s Hill Computer Science Westminster Laura Skinmore Cobham Hall Textiles -Fashion/interiors UCA Lara McCormick International School, Istanbul Media Journalism & Culture Cardiff Daniel Smith Westcliffe High School Economics & Mathematics Leeds Thanakorn Milinthajinda Vajjraavudh College Electrical Engineering Greenwich Gabriel Solomon Rochester Maths Economics City Rory Miller Millfield School Intl Business Mgmt Reading Prudence Sparkes Worth School History of Art Nottingham Tamsyn Morgan Cranbrook School Liberal Arts Leeds Pinphong Sukkaew Thai Government Scholar Natural Sciences Cambridge Charles Morris Cranbrook School Film Studies & Production Winchester Priya Takhar Mayfield Grammar Dentistry Manchester Oliver Norman King’s Canterbury Economics Bath Barnabas Tedder Gravesend Grammar Ecology Brighton Edward Norton Bennett Memorial English Lit & Drama UEA Jonathan Tikare History & Politics Leicester Moriah Ogunbiyi Rochester Grammar School History Kent Molly Tottman King’s Rochester Geography Loughborough Thomas Oliver Judd School Politics & Int Relations Bath Charles Turnbull King’s Rochester Film Bournemouth Callum O’Shea Sutton Valence School Economics Reading Hannah Turner Invicta Grammar Property Dev & Mgmt Greenwich Adisorn Panasawatwong Thai Government Scholar Physics Oxford Megan Udy Wilmington Grammar Geophysics Liverpool Quentin Pantics Home Educated Film and German Kent Amelia Walker Simon Langton Grammar Environmental Science Manchester Met Maria Pasqui Intl School, Luxembourg Photography Roehampton Rapee Wanaset Thai Government Scholar Physics Southampton Alina Peermohamed Grammar Philosophy/Psychology Warwick Jessica Westerman King’s Rochester Global BBA ESSCEC Max Pelvang Sutton Valence School Modern Lang/Business Nottingham Luca Williams Jumeirah School Television Production Gloucestershire Zara Petts St Edmund’s, Canterbury English Literature Newcastle David Wilson Tunbridge Wells Grammar Psychology & Sports Studies Stirling Daniel Phillips RIC year 7 to 13 Mechanical Engineering Leeds Thomas Woods Eastbourne College Genetics & Evolution Chester Nikita Pillai Bangalore Academy Business Management Reading Eleanor Wyncoll Oxted Girls Psychology Surrey Pattaraporn Pinturak Thai Government Scholar Mathematics & Economics Queen Mary Rose Yanni King’s Canterbury English & Modern Langs Exeter Ivan Prisyazhnyuk King’s Canterbury Physics Lund, Sweden Kirsty Young King’s Canterbury Politics and Sociology Leicester Seonaid Young King’s Canterbury Theology & Religious St Nottingham

“Having come from a local Grammar School joining RIC with its average class size of 8 was a breath of fresh air.” Georgina Winney, Bristol University Neuroscience graduate From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115

RIC Gallery

Laura Skinmore, A level Textiles

Abby French, GCSE Fine Art

Robert Davidson, A level Graphic Design

Rhea Purewal, A level Graphic Design Alina Peermohamed A level Textiles Tamia Chando, GCSE Photography

‘It’s hard to imagine better provision for an artist.’ Good Schools Guide

RIC’s commitment to the arts will be and Media to Graphic Design and to degree courses. Head of Graphic artwork commissioned from former marked in autumn 2017 by the official Textiles. Film Studies is one of our Design at Falmouth University Bryan student Ray Smith. opening of a landmark public art strongest subjects at A level and GCSE. Clark says: “High calibre students are sculpture by Bjork collaborator Henry often accepted directly from A levels All those who teach in the department Dagg, commissioned to form the gates Alfie Rutter has been selected for this if they can obtain the specialist insight are practising artists, designers and of the campus. The gates, already a hit year’s Royal Academy A level Online and an introduction to the fundamentals photographers. Joining in 2017 is fashion on social media, make music with Summer Exhibition out of more than of the design process at school. RIC and portrait photographer Michael vibraphone bars, tubular bells and organ 2,400 entries. Although only a GCSE delivers this, with not only top grade Daks who has previously lectured at pipe-like tubes with resonating strings student, Alfie was old enough to enter, students but also those with a depth of Paris College of Art, Parsons NY, that can be plucked, struck or bowed. and his piece is one of 49 selected experimentation and energy.” Southampton Solent and Instituto works display on the RA website. Marangoni. An artist in residence scheme In the Lower School, art is a core RIC follows the success of its own art sees a range of practitioners working subject with 4 hours every week. It’s a Such is the strength of the arts at RIC students after university and department with students throughout the year. Local case of Artsbacc not Ebacc for many at students now routinely skip traditional staff visit end of year degree shows to artist Billy Childish runs workshops and GCSE with options from Photography foundation years and proceed straight support alumni. Our new website has students also visit his studio.

”The informal nature of RIC made it feel welcoming- a place where you were heard, seen and cared about.” Ginte Barzdaityte, Central Saint Martins and UCL art graduate

From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115

Yijin Wang, A level Fine Art

Abby French, GCSE Fine Art Harrison Sharpe, A level Graphic Design

Alina Peermohamed, A level Fine Art

Alfie Rutter, GCSE Fine Art Mia Jackson, A level Fine Art James Kennedy, GCSE Photography Ralph Steadman Art Scholarship Star Hill Starman World-famous illustrator Ralph Steadman Former RIC student Tom Wynn Owen, One of Tom’s first projects as a member has given his name to the College’s graduated from UCL’s The Slade School of staff is painting a mural of David sixth-form arts scholarship and acts as of Fine Art in 2017 and joins his former Bowie in the Lower School. A young chief judge. This year, RIC will run and teachers on the staff in September. Bowie is recorded as performing there fund in full the second of these before his career blasted off into the competitions. The scholarship will Tom came to the College from The Judd popular cultural firmament. again comprise a two-year full School, Tonbridge, for a two-year A level scholarship for A levels at RIC. course, studying Music Technology, Fine Art, Photography, Philosophy and Applicants are invited to submit three History of Art. pieces of work in any medium and a personal statement to: Tom says he chose RIC as it was: “The only place that would let me do steadmanscholarship the subjects I wanted and did not make @rochester-college.org me wear a suit. RIC had awesome teachers, good trips, cool plays in apply now *Closing date Friday 15 December 2017 London and lots of help available.”

“RIC is unique in that it gives you the safe space to explore your youth and also find independence and maturity.” Pamela Farrugia, East 15 Drama student From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 RIC’s Lower School - Years 7-11 Fast Combining academic rigour with a creative buzz Facts

• A friendly, social environment that will 2017 marks the tenth anniversary of The students leaving this year, having Dan has taken full advantage of RIC’s broaden your child’s perspective the first year 7 intake and the third year spent their entire secondary school creative arts facilities and has cemented that RIC has waved goodbye to students career with us, are an exceptional bunch. this into excellent GCSE grades with an A • A nurturing school where your child who have been with us throughout their Not only for their excellent A level results, in Media Studies taken in year 10 to will achieve academically without undue pressure secondary education. but also for their diversity and individuality. complement the A* he gained in Within the small group, they represent Mathematics in the same year. Rather • Quality teaching with personalised, RIC is non-selective academically and a wide range of different interests and than the one art subject that all RIC regular feedback and reporting provides a broad education. There is personalities. students are encouraged to take at GCSE, no assumption that subjects in the Dan numbers four amongst his total of • A flexible curriculum closely aligned lower school curriculum will be followed While we aim to provide a truly all round eleven GCSEs (9 at A or A*). Dan now to your child’s interests with an emphasis education and do not tolerate inconsiderate has the 3A*s at A level in Maths, Further on the core subjects but with an through to exams, but RIC also provides unusually broad choice of creative arts opportunities for early exam taking if behaviour, we don’t expect students to Maths and Physics he needs to pursue individual students are ready for them. become the embodiment of some kind his dream of a career in Engineering, • Smaller class sizes where your child This means students can specialise of school ethos. There is room for every together with a B in Economics. will not slip under the radar at their own pace and find their own student to be an individual. strengths and interests while remaining • A chance to be free from petty school rules and an obsession with uniform part of a very small supportive year group of people who often have widely differing • A school with low staff turnover talents - which is an education in itself. • A school where inspectors say that personal development and behaviour ‘is excellent’

• An expectation that all will grow in Year 7 Taster Days confidence and self esteem, do well in • Wednesday 27 Sept exams and have great memories of school life Dan Phillips (above) joined RIC for year 7 • Thursday 3 Nov 2017 with a high 11+ score. He wanted a broader Call to book a place focus on arts and humanities than seemed likely in local grammar schools while still achieving in core subjects. Cross-Curricular Study Weeks Each year there is a different theme. NASA space suit Lower School This year it was crime. Lower School made famous by the students took part in a CSI-style inves- Apollo missions. tigation around the campus. Activities Arts Week were centred on a ‘murder’ staged in the In previous years: main hall. Science lessons concentrated ‘Britain and the Sea on the forensic methods used to collect Lower School students this year took part Week’ included evidence, including fingerprinting, testing in our first official Arts Week. We kicked visits to the National hair samples and blood spatters. A mock off with a trip to the Design Museum. Maritime Museum, trial took place with students forming Workshops helped students to gain new Greenwich, the teams for the defence, prosecution and perspectives on the role of designers and Historic Dockyard jury and there was a visit to the Crime the impact of design in everyday life. in Chatham, the traditional boatyard in Museum in Hastings. Faversham and a day crossing the channel. Back at College, students spent a day producing work in response to what they ‘India Week’ included visits to East India had seen, using practical skills and tech- Company sites in London’s docklands, niques in Fine Art, Design Technology, the Brighton Pavilion, the Gravesend Electronics, Graphic Design, Photography, Temple, a local Indian restaurant and a Textiles and Three-Dimensional Design. Bollywood dancing workshop. The end product, simple lights, used all manner of materials. ‘Darwin and Evolution Week’ included Kew Gardens, the Natural History Museum The week culminated in a residential trip and Lyme Regis for fossil hunting. to Paris. As well as the obligatory trips to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre we visited the Centre Pompidou and the Musée d’Art Moderne. On their return to Last year, ‘British Science Week’ went College, students worked on their own cross-curricular and landed in the Lower ideas inspired by their trip and designed School with an emphasis on all things sculptural pieces that were exhibited at space related. Students and staff learned the RIC Summer Festival. about the Cold War space race in their History lessons, polished their Russian language skills and donned a replica

“I was so impressed with the classes and teaching I saw and came away with a very positive view of the College, its ethos and aspirations.” Peter Read, Kent Independent Education Advice From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 STEM Olympians of RIC The Thai Scholars have often represented often take Graphic Design and Music their country at the highest levels in Aca- Technology A levels, Architects Fine Art demic Olympiad competitions. They join and History of Art. Pawita Boonrat who other high achieving, motivated students graduated from Manchester this year in small classes of around 8 students to with a first class degree in Physics is now gain top grades – often in one year. embarking on a PhD that draws on her interest in Art, fostered while at RIC.

Conor McManaman joined from Gravesend Grammar and is now studying Medicine at Newcastle. He did English Literature alongside Chemistry, Biology and Maths and says: “RIC’s use of testing and reflection mirrors a lot of what I use at medical school and I am particularly thankful that I learnt these techniques when sitting my A levels.“

It’s not only international students who go on to top universities for STEM (science, technology, engineering and A glance at the university destinations of It is no accident that each year since mathematics) courses. One local student RIC students reveals a wide range of 1990 RIC has taught gifted scholars joined RIC for retakes having narrowly impressive courses for those intending sponsored by the Thai Government. missed a Medical School place after A to pursue mathematical, scientific and Julia Plaistowe at the Office of Educa- levels at a local Grammar School. Dur- engineering careers. tional Affairs at the Royal Thai Embassy ing the year, despite gaining offers for says: “we send our best students who Medicine, she was inspired instead to have been awarded Thai Government move into research sciences. Courses Maths teacher Danny Cheung is celebrating Scholarships to RIC range from Astrophysics at Edinburgh to after his British citizenship ceremony with the expecta- Medical Engineering at Swansea, Natu- at Rochester’s Corn Exchange this tion they will all be ral Sciences at Cambridge, Biomedical year. Danny first came to the College taught to the highest Engineering at UCL, Medical Imaging at from Hong Kong as a cook in 2004. RIC standard and be well Exeter, Sound Engineering at Birmingham awarded Danny a full scholarship to study looked after. Many and Geophysics at Liverpool. Engineering at City University where he of them go on to achieved a first class degree. He then Oxford, Cambridge, Students here often combine Science A returned to teach A level alongside his UCL and Imperial.” levels with the creative arts. Engineers own former teachers. Teaching and learning without borders One aspect of the winning formula at RIC behaved and want to succeed means I Government from the LSE and a PhD in (French) and Carmen Torres (Spanish). is the dynamic mix of local students from can convey my enthusiasm for Chemistry Politics. Anthony helps run our evening They ensure the range of languages offered a variety of backgrounds with inspirational and turn my attention to every student.” study clubs for students. Our MFL team is as wide as possible and that students are encouraged to continue learning them. young people from overseas. And the includes Nadia Boulez and Aurelie Hubert staff are similarly talented and diverse New to the History department is Dr with UK educated staff complemented by Zacharoula Christopoulou whose PhD at inspirational teachers from Europe and UCL was on First World War memory in further afield. European Culture. Joining to teach Maths is Constantine Tucker. A keen chess Sociology and Psychology specialist Dr player, kickboxer and youtuber, Kamila Pawlikowska studied Sociology at Constantine is working on a range of fun Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun maths videos. He previously presented (Poland) and Comparative Literature at a chess programme for Greek television. the University of Kent at Canterbury. Her Constantine and Zacharoula both studied PhD was published as Anti-portraits: at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Poetics of the Face in English, Polish and before moving to the UK. Ancient Greek Russian Literature. She recently club in the Lower School is now set to be completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship as successful as club. in Tokyo and was a visiting lecturer for a month at Penn State University. Joining the boarding team is University of Bologna graduate Antonella Marchitto Teaching Chemistry is Dr Sophie Hilton who also teaches Italian, Russian and I loved the small classes and the creative environment. I remember from France whose medical research French and will be working closely with happily spending entire weekends in the photography studio. After was based around the design of enzyme our residential students. RIC I was accepted at the Professional Conservatory of the Stella inhibitors. Sophie says: “Working at RIC is Adler Studio of Acting in New York. I’m sure that if I hadn’t studied like a breath of fresh air, the small classes Dr Anthony Gilliland from Spain, also on at RIC I wouldn’t be where I am now, I couldn’t even speak proper and the fact that the students are very well the boarding team, has a BA Hons in English before arriving! Irina Bravo from Barcelona, Actor

“I am so glad I found out about Rochester, as it truly is a magical place. Allen finally has a place to let his true abilities shine.” Denice Zhuang, Principal, Power Talk, Shantou, China From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 RIC in the Good Schools Guide Switching schools for exam success “Many students transfer here after poor progress at AS or A level and the effect can be dramatic. One pupil told us he was predicted to get Ds and Es at AS; he moved from his grammar to the college in February, and in July he achieved three As at AS and an A at A level. Another student moved after getting a U at AS, and she says, ‘In my first two weeks here I learned more than I had in the whole previous year’.”

RIC Fast Facts Subjects singled out include “Maths, Atmosphere English Literature and Film Studies (RIC • Year 7 to sixth form entry RIC is described as a “place for individuals” A level results in these subjects have • Day and boarding where “the campus is as unique as the won Good Schools Guide Awards)” and • GCSE, AS and A level retakes the Creative and Visual Arts provision: “It school” and “the students are a strikingly • Transfer for Year 13 or restart Year 12 nice bunch and there’s a lovely air of would be hard to find better provision for “Testing means you can’t get delusions, • One Year GCSE courses tolerance and warmth.” an artist.” “Parents especially appreciate you really know where you are at any the efforts made to ensure each pupil point,’ said one pupil. Another, who was • Repeat Year 11 or transfer after Year 10 The review quotes one mother saying: gains the best possible grade. One said: told by her grammar school that she • All boards “That playground talk, everyone wanting ‘There are a lot of extra lessons before needed to ‘lower her sights’ said: ‘The • No subject combination restrictions teaching style is completely different, their child to be in the top set, you don’t exams, in the holidays and so on. They • No minimum GCSE grades required will do as much as they can if they think we are tested all the time and my grades have that” but makes the point that this • Regular Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary you can improve your grade.’” Another have gone up consistently.’” “Other lack of “school gate competitiveness” Science university placements and traditional formality is not at the praised the fact that they don’t charge for pupils have come from grammars where • No uniform expense of academic results or artistic extra tuition in the evenings and holidays, they felt under too much pressure, high flying: “The top five student adding: ‘I was concerned about my son’s or from large schools where they felt • Minibus services from Maidstone, Kings Hill, destinations in the last eight years are maths and suggested getting him some overwhelmed, and all say they are Sevenoaks, Otford and Tunbridge Wells Leeds, Nottingham, Sussex, Cambridge tuition. They said it was their responsibil- learning better and enjoying school more • 300 students and Imperial. Two RIC students have won ity, and I should not be looking for tutors. here. ‘I worried a lot at my old school, • 90 on-campus supervised boarding places here it’s a better environment,’ said one. places on the prestigious Fine Art degree They did some extra work with him and • 37 mins by train from London St Pancras course at UCL’s The Slade School.” he got an A, so I was ecstatic.’” ‘At my old school if you improved, they didn’t notice,’ said another.” • 85% UK students, 15% International, • Average class size is 8 Describing the no uniform, first name Student care terms environment, the review observes • Good Schools Guide award winners in that parents say the teachers are “very “Parents all speak highly of the pastoral Maths, Science, English and Film. passionate about their subjects” and care and the growth in confidence they • 38 different A level subjects another pupil, comparing the teaching to have witnessed in their children. One that at his former grammar school said: has three children at the school and she “The teaching is of a better quality and says: ‘They are all very different but the the teachers know their subject to a school is spot on at all of their weak- greater depth.” The review notes “a nesses and strengths.’” “They are strict firm concentration on exam technique, about homework and behaviour, but but still the school isn’t seen as an removing petty rules means the rapport exam factory” and highlighted the between pupils and teachers is much “rich cultural programme.” better. As one pupil put it, ‘The only thing Their view to rebel against here is education itself’.” The review notes that parents’ money won’t be spent on “the trappings of a public school – no mahogany-rich headmaster’s study, certainly no suave head in a handmade suit.” RIC is judged “a sound investment- 21 per cent of all students got AAB in facilitating subjects last year, and among the retakers, all got into university, and three-quarters won Russell Group places.”

Above: RIC allotment Left: RIC Maths shed Interviewing now for Sept 2017 and Sept 2018 • Call us to arrange an informal visit and campus tour 254 St Margaret’s Banks, Rochester, Kent ME1 1HY Tel: 01634 828115 email: [email protected]