King’s is a remarkable school with a rich and diverse heritage, where pupils have been educated for over 1,400 years under the watchful gaze of Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle.
At King’s, we believe in preparing children for the 21st Century through educating the whole child. Our priority is ensuring that happy children perform to their best and the School is an exceptionally happy and friendly place where moral values, self-discipline, emotional intelligence and a Christian spirit underpin our family community.
Every step of the King’s School Rochester journey, from Nursery through to Sixth Form, is designed to help pupils flourish, grow in confidence and discover new passions. We believe that building a love of learning and developing independent thinking skills are just as important as achieving the best grades, and so our teachers help each pupil to realise their own potential.
There’s one motto we live by at King’s and that’s simply
“Work Hard, Play Hard and Look After Each Other”, no matter what age you are.
LATEST NEWS
On the last day of term Year 4 to Year 8 of the Junior School and parents gathered in Rochester Cathedral for their Service of Christmas Readings and Music. It was an afternoon structured around the foundational truths of the Christmas story. The service began with the Chaplain, the Reverend Stephen Padfield, leading the [...]
The children from Year 1 to Year 3 performed their Nativity play beautifully in Rochester Cathedral. In front of proud parents and staff our young stars delivered a wonderful performance in a magnificent setting. Well done everyone!
Reception visited local care home Copper Beeches and performed our Nativity play for some of the residents. The children did a fantastic job and we are so so proud of them!! There were lots of smiling, happy residents and the children's singing made their day!! They then performed to a packed audience of delighted [...]
Have you ever stopped, slowed down and thought about all the wonderful things you get to do as a Housemaster? Tonight was, without question, the most wonderful night of the year so far. I saw the fruits of seeds planted back in September - both the ones you plan for and the ones that [...]
The forecast may have been for showers but it was all smiles on the playground this morning as our Junior children arrived at school to find it was snowing at King’s. The fun and excitement was s-no-w joke! [...]
The Senior and Junior Schools celebrated our annual Toy services this week. Mr Smith and Rev'd Ruth Pyrke delivered talks on the value of giving and how we can be a gift to one another. At the end of the services, during the final hymn, pupils brought up their toys and we were all [...]
Arthur G and Gabrielle O, King’s Scholars and members of our Removes, had the privilege of speaking at a reception at the Houses of Parliament last evening. The event was sponsored by the Rt Hon Lord Pickles, the Embassy of Israel and the Holocaust Educational Trust and marked the launch of the Survivor’s Declaration [...]
The annual House Chess tournament took place this week. For the first time, it was a whole school event, with players from year 3 to year 13 represented. Each House played 10-minute games, and scored points for a win or a draw. There was a competitive atmosphere and some excellent gameplay. Chess is played [...]
This term has seen King's provide exciting new opportunities in STEM, with a series of after-school lectures with leading academics from local universities speaking on neuroscience and the use of nanoparticles in cancer-research, as well as hosting talks on aeronautical engineering and leveraging Artificial Intelligence. These presentations have taken place in our new state-of-the-art Science [...]
This year, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics went head-to-head in a festive Science Christmas Tree Competition. Each department built a unique tree using only equipment from their subject: Biology crafted a nature-inspired design with microscopes and models, Chemistry constructed a colourful creation from glassware and molecular structures, and Physics engineered an illuminated tree featuring circuits and [...]
Our KPS Christmas Fayre and Carols in the Yard was a festive success, featuring fun games, a Santa's Grotto, delicious mulled wine and treats and a joyous sing-along of Christmas carols led by Father Padfield on the piano. Our Houses enjoyed a festive sing-off to raise money for our School Charity, East Africa Maasai [...]
Year 3 kicked off Christmas by visiting the Alms Houses and sang carols to the residents. It was a lovely prelude to the forthcoming events planned in the next week. The children did KSR proud and all of the residents were delighted, not only with their singing but also how they engaged with them [...]
This final lecture in this term's Zetountes series took the form of a "conversation" with Mr Douglas Hamandishe, former Deputy Mayor and author of "The AI Leverage: Building Purpose, Resilience and Success". Introducing himself as a "Creative Futurist", Mr Hamandishe challenged our academic scholars to think about the importance of identity and values in a [...]
Excitement filled the corridors as our Junior School pupils—and even teachers—took on the festive challenge of designing a Christmas tree made entirely from branches and wool. The Sports Department, Prefects and House Captains joined in too, creating a brilliant buzz of teamwork across the whole School. With just one week to complete their creation, [...]
Leo B (7W) took part in the Medway Music Festival, competing in the 'Grades 3 & 4 Vocal Class' with his Grade 4 piece Go Away From My Window by Ruth Elaine Schram, accompanied by Miss Roux on the piano. We are delighted to share that Leo won the class and was awarded with Honours! This is [...]
Eight King's delegates took part in the excellent Benenden Model United Nations conference, five of them for the first time. Representing Somalia and New Zealand, the pupils debated global issues including gang crime, the treatment of migrant workers, antibiotic resistance and the aftermath of the Assad regime in Syria. MUN is an intensive experience, with [...]
In a fitting tribute to Christopher Nickless, OR, former Headmaster of the Preparatory School, the results of the 2025 Nickless Prize have been announced. This competition was originally initiated by Mr Nickless in 1969. Classmates Zain B and Roman G (8L) scored “full houses” in the Second Round of the paper. This strong showing ensured [...]
Year 5 presented a showcase of artefacts that they had created as part of their Challenge Prep, this term. Throughout the Michaelmas Term, pupils completed a series of tasks, linked to History, Geography, PSHEE and RS, culminating in the final challenge, which was to create an Eco-artefact inspired by their chosen religion, made from [...]
The passing of Christopher J. Nickless on 1st December, after a long illness bravely fought, marked the end of an era. Chris represented the best of King’s, not unsurprisingly, for he dedicated his life to the School, man and boy, with only a brief sojourn in Birmingham to study Theology and West Bromwich Albion. A [...]
School Hall echoed with screams on Saturday as a gruesome murder took place. Staff and parents, many in costume, were transported straight into the foggy, gaslit streets of Victorian England for an evening of suspense and intrigue. Guests, who enjoyed a delicious meal, were tasked with unravelling a sinister plot by watching a live [...]
Our Remove pupils got a fantastic taste of boarding life this week! They joined the current boarders for an evening of activities and dinner followed by a sleepover in School House. It was a brilliant chance for the pupils to see first hand the amazing facilities, enjoy the communal atmosphere, and experience the supportive [...]
We are very proud of Albert B (8B), who competed in the Medway Rotary Club 2025 Young Musician Competition final. Despite being the youngest competitor by some margin, he held his own, playing and singing beautifully. In fact, Albert is the youngest competitor from King's to have been part of the final of this competition [...]
Our annual Lower Sixth Business Challenge took place this week. Pupils were put into small groups and each group was assigned a business mentor with their challenge. The challenges varied from making decisions on expansion plans for a recruitment business, to designing an APP to support mental and physical health. By the end of [...]
It was lovely to see our Year 4 girls enjoying a kickaround on the Paddock this week. We saw some fantastic footwork. With such enthusiasm for the game, who knows—maybe one day we will be cheering them on as the next generation of Lionesses! Keep practicing girls! [...]
why KING’S SCHOOL ROCHESTER
We are one school, where a happy learning environment is underpinned by a strong sense of care, kindness, moral values, self-discipline and emotional intelligence.
At King’s School Rochester, we believe in giving pupils the courage and confidence to be their best. Staff, pupils, parents and governors work together as one, to create and sustain the learning environment that makes our school so unique, ensuring its stewardship for generations to come.
We nurture the individual and celebrate diversity of talent – there truly is no typical King’s pupil. Each and every one is unique, and is treated as such. King’s School Rochester is a school for life, where pupils are prepared for life beyond education. We support this with our extra-curricular and careers activities whilst at the School, and then when a child leaves, we keep in touch and follow their journey, ensuring that they always remain a valued member of the King’s community.
Our motto is a simple one, “Work hard, play hard and look after each other” no matter what age you are.
King’s School Rochester finds itself situated in the heart of the historic town, nestled amongst cobbled medieval streets under the shadow of the Cathedral.
A stone’s throw from the beating heart of London, inhabitants of Rochester enjoy rolling countryside hills in one direction, and beautiful seaside in the other. The town is just over half an hour away by train into St Pancras International and easily accessible from Kent and the southeast. This gives our pupils the best of both worlds – a wealth of bustling culture on their doorstep, combined with the peace of living in a picturesque country town.
The busy high street, filled with independent businesses and a burgeoning arts scene, means our town is the perfect location to learn, develop and grow. Situated on the banks of the River Medway, Rochester is full of charm and intrigue.
Our location in Rochester is an integral part of School life.
Whilst we may be the second oldest school in the world, our vision is modern and resolutely forward-looking.
Steeped in history and surrounded by breath-taking heritage, King’s School Rochester has moved with the times for over 1400 years.
Our School lies in the shadow of Rochester Castle, nestled within the Cathedral precinct. Thousands of pupils have passed through the School over the centuries, leaving their mark and creating a tangible sense of history. With our one-of-a-kind setting, our pupils understand what has gone before them and consequently their role in shaping the future.
Our pupils are given the mindset, knowledge and self-belief they need to step out, flourish, and emblazon their own positive mark on the world.
Strategically placed, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding.
Today it stands as a proud reminder of the history of Rochester, along with the cathedral and cobbled streets.
Through all the raids, battles and drama, King's School has stood under its impressive shadow, educating the children of Rochester.
King’s benefits from excellent transport links to London and beyond, perfect for international pupils.
Rochester Train Station is conveniently located less than a 10 minute walk from the School with London being just over a half an hour train journey away into St Pancras International.
Add to this the rolling countryside hills in one direction and the beautiful seaside in the other, our pupils have a wealth of bustling culture on their doorstep, combined with the peace of living in a picturesque country town.
It is our core belief that our pupils learn just as much outside the classroom as they do inside.
We consider participation in clubs and activities an integral part of the King’s experience.
From Reception through to Sixth Form, there is an extensive range of co-curricular pursuits from which to choose, taking place during lunchtime, after school and at the weekend.
We also offer a range of trips both in the UK and abroad to extend our young people’s horizons.
We instil in our pupils the practical knowledge and skills that will see them through the rest of their education and their future career.
At the end of their time at King’s, our pupils leave as fully rounded young adults, who go on to flourish and thrive in whichever path they take.
Our long established Old Roffensian Society allows past leavers to stay in contact with their contemporaries and participate in events and functions within the wider King’s network.
The Old Roffensians’ community provides pupils with a valuable network of contacts that will enrich and further their respective careers, in many cases giving them that crucial ‘foot-in-the-door’.
START your journey
Every step of the King’s School Rochester journey, from Nursery to Sixth Form, is designed to help pupils flourish, grow in confidence and discover new passions.
