International Boarders

Our broad and balanced curriculum enables children to build towards excellent academic achievement whilst ensuring that their broader skills of communication, teamwork and leadership are explored through the sporting, musical, dramatic and extra-curricular opportunities available. A joint vision for our pupils between the Preparatory and Senior Schools encourages children to throw themselves into school life, but is mindful of ensuring that their time is balanced and that they are not overloaded.
 

Year 7 to Remove (Year 9)

British National Curriculum 
Pupils follow the ‘British National Curriculum’ and all overseas students take part in lessons with our British students. All lessons are conducted in English so it is essential that overseas pupils have a reasonable level of written and spoken English. 
 

Lower Fifth (Year 10) to Upper Fifth (Year 11)

GCSE Courses
Pupil's take the ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’ (GCSE), studying a total of between 7 – 9 subjects, some of which are compulsory and some optional subjects, working towards public examinations at the end of the second year. Students are also required to complete coursework, (not under examination conditions) which is marked and the grades count towards their overall mark.

At this level the emphasis of the curriculum is on retaining breadth. The core subjects are English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, Science and Religious Studies. Top sets take Triple Award Science and other pupils take Dual Award Science. In addition, pupils take further subjects which are selected from the following:

Art	Drama	Latin
Classical Civilisation	French	Music
Classical Greek	Geography	Physical Education
Computer Science	German	Russian
Design and Technology	History	Spanish

 

Other elements within the curriculum are: Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE), Careers, Sport, Music, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Technical Theatre.
 

Lower Sixth (Year 12) to Upper Sixth (Year 13)

A-Level Courses
In the Sixth Form, students take ‘A level courses’ which are required for entry to university. All students take three subjects. Students can choose which combination of subjects they wish to study and the Principal, subject teachers and the Careers Co-ordinator all provide advice on which combination of subjects are required for specific university courses. There are public examinations at the end of the Lower and Upper Sixth with results published in mid-August each year.

In the Lower Sixth Form, pupils study four, or occasionally more, Advanced Subsidiary subjects. Pupils are advised about suitable combinations of subjects before the March deadline and every effort is made to timetable all requested combinations without constraints.

Art & Design	Drama & Theatre	Latin
Biology	Economics	Mathematics
Business Economics	English Literature	Music
Chemistry	French	Physical Education
Classical Civilisation	Geography	Physics
Classical Greek	German	Religious Studies
Computer Science	Government and Politics	Russian
Design & Technology	History	Spanish

 

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Pupils may also take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This enables them to extend their academic interests and to develop some of the skills useful for university. This qualification, worth half an A Level, is highly regarded by universities and is aimed primarily at those students who are most able to take on additional study alongside their A Levels.

Destinations of Leavers
We are very proud that, every year, all our Sixth Form leavers go on to the best universities, specialist art or music colleges or workplace training programmes to gain the qualifications they need for the careers they wish to follow. See our recent destinations of leavers.

King's Rochester is well known for the strength of its Pastoral Care and we are especially good at settling in boarders who are boarding for the first time. On arrival at King's they will be given a tour of the Boarding House where they can meet the Housemaster of Housemistress (HsM), The House Tutor, House Parent and other new boarders, also enjoying their first day. They will then be shown their new room and the available facilities. Where possible we do allocate shared rooms to pupils who share common interests or hobbies.

 

New Boarders are assigned a 'Buddy' from the House who will spend the first few days by their side, sharing lessons and helping them find their way around.  At King's there is always somebody to ask questions to and to speak with for advice about any concerns. We hope that they will settle in very quickly but we do understand that for many students boarding will represent a change in their lives and everyone at Kings is here to make that experience as exciting and happy as possible. 

Our innovate system of tracking pastoral care at King's ensures that every small concern can be dealt with before it becomes a worry, starting with the HsM who looks after your child on a daily basis in the House right through to every member of the teaching staff and the support staff. This means that our boarders tell us that they are exceptionally happy and enjoy boarding life at King's. 

We have our own nursing team of two registered nurses on site and they provide medical care throughout the day in the school's Medical Centre. The School Doctor visits the school once a week and appointments can also be made for pupils to see a doctor at the Surgery at any other time. Appointments can also be made to see the School Counsellor, if needed. The nurses' background and training have given them a great deal of insight into all aspects of young peoples' needs.  Many of the school staff are first aid - trained and all boarding staff have advanced first aid training

Pupils may board at King’s Rochester from age 11 and, if the need arises, from a slightly younger age. The year groups are as follows:

Year 7	Ages 11-12
Year 8	Ages 12-13
Year 9 (Remove)	Ages 13-14
Year 10 (Lower Fifth)	Ages 14 -15	First year of GCSE courses
Year 11 (Upper Fifth)	Ages 15 -16	Final year of GCSE courses
Year 12 (Lower Sixth)	Ages 16 -17	First year of  A level courses
Year 13 (Upper Sixth)	Ages 17 -18	Final year of  A level courses

Pupils who wish to board may join the school in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 or Year 12. We only recommend that students with a very good level of English join in Year 10 as we prefer them to have time to settle in and to improve their English before they start working towards GCSE examinations.

Students below Sixth Form level are required to wear uniform which is purchased through the online School Uniform shop www.perryuniform.com.

 

We are particularly proud of the King’s uniform and pupils wear it with pride 

A uniform list will be included in the joining information and can also be found here. All bed linen and duvets are provided although students are welcome to bring their own. Upon arrival all boarders are given a Boarders' Handbook. All new boarders are assigned a ‘buddy’ to look after them.

Pupils whose parents reside overseas are expected to enter the School as boarders and to remain as boarders throughout their time at the School unless alternative arrangements are agreed with the Principal.

It is a requirement that the Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s) residing overseas appoint an Educational Guardian to care for their child whilst in the UK and to whom they will delegate temporary Parental Responsibility.

The Education Guardian must be resident in the UK and live at a suitable proximity to the School, speak English and be capable of providing care for the child in a home environment as would a reasonable and responsible parent. They should not be living in student accommodation. An Education Guardian may be a family member, a family friend, a guardianship agency or other responsible UK-based adult (aged 23 or over). 

The parent is responsible for assessing whether the Educational Guardian is suitable and that adequate safeguarding measures have been taken. The Educational Guardian will act on the parents’ behalf and the guardianship arrangement will not fall within the School’s welfare responsibility for the pupil.

The Educational Guardian in liaison with the parents, must ensure suitable care arrangements are in place for the child’s travel and reception on arrival in the UK. The Educational Guardian is responsible for the pupil in times of emergency and when the pupil is residing with them, and will need to be available to care for the pupil and make decisions as appropriate.

The Educational Guardian and Parents must all sign the King’s Rochester Education Guardianship Agreement prior to the pupil commencing their studies at the School and any changes to the Guardian arrangements must be notified to the School immediately.

The School has right of refusal if we do not have the necessary confidence in the guardian’s ability to fulfill the role.

 

The new Points Based System (PBS) for student visas was introduced in March 2009 and requires any institution offering a place of study to a student to have a Sponsor Licence Number (SLN). King's Rochester's licence number appears on all of our "Confirmation of Acceptance" Letters. 

Our Registrar will  be happy to help advise you on any VISA concerns or queries. 

We strongly advise all prospective students to be aware of the changes to the visa application process and read the information on the UK Government website.