King’s School Rochester

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    King’s School Rochester

    With a history dating back to 604AD, King’s School Rochester is the second oldest school in the UK and the oldest cathedral choir school in the world –and located in the shadow of Rochester Cathedral (which doubles up as the school chapel), you’d be hard-pushed to find a more awe-inspiring setting for pupils to live and learn in. Unsurprisingly, musical excellence ripples through the school’s veins, but this is no one-trick-pony; sport is impressive (there’s a dedicated scholars’ programme and facilities include an indoor swimming pool and boat house), and academics are consistently strong. Pupils flock here from all over Kent and beyond, thanks to the high-speed train service connecting the school to London in just 30 minutes.

    Category: Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form

    Pupils: Co-Education

    Type: Boarding and Day

    Religious Affiliation: Church of England

    Roll: 400 Boys / / 280 Girls

    Day pupils: 680

    Boarder Number: 25

    Age Range: 3-18 Years

    Founded: 604 AD

    Location Description

    King’s School Rochester is located in the historic town of Rochester, amidst cobbled medieval streets near the Cathedral. Just over half an hour by train from St Pancras International, it offers easy access to London while providing a serene, picturesque setting.

    School Contact Details

    Headteacher: Mr Ben Charles

    Satis House, Boley Hill, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1TE

    Tel: 01634 888555

    Email: admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk

    www.kings-rochester.co.uk

    Facilities

    At King’s, we believe that a conducive learning environment extends beyond the classroom. Our facilities provide students with a comprehensive educational experience, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth.

    These facilities include:

    • Art and Design Studio
    • Design and Technology Studio
    • Science laboratories
    • Sixth form centre
    • St Margarets (Girls) Boarding House
    • School House (Boys Boarding House
    • Drama Studio
    • Indoor Swimming Pool
    • Sports Centre with outdoor and indoor courts, as well as fitness and studio rooms.
    • Sports Hall
    • Tennis Courts
    • Netball Courts
    • Cricket Nets
    • The Alps (Football and Rugby field)
    • Boathouse

    Scholarships

    At King’s School Rochester, we believe that being talented and motivated is something to be proud of.  As a result, scholarships for pupils with a proven talent in sport, music, drama, art or academic attainment are available to internal and external pupils entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12.

    We offer the following Scholarships: 

    • Academic Scholarships
    • Music Scholarships
    • Sport Scholarships
    • Drama Scholarships 
    • Art Scholarships
    • Cathedral Scholarships (Prep only)
    • Organ Scholarships (Senior only)

    Entrance Requirements

    Step 1: Complete the registration form and pay the deposit
    Step 2: Current school reference request will be made
    Step 3: Assessment and interviews
    Step 4: Places offered
    Step 5: Complete acceptance form and pay deposit

    Fees

    2024/2025

    Day fees.

    Nursery: from £1,990 per term (3 days). Reception – Year 3: £4,240 – £4,635 per term. Years 4 – 8: £5,550 – £6,210 per term. Years 9 – 13: £8,070- £8,155 per term.

    Boarding fees. Years 7 – 13: £9,315- £13,505 per term.

    Affiliations/Memberships

    HMC, ISC, AEGIS, IAPS, Woodard Schools, Choir Schools Association, Schools Enterprise Association and BSA

    Downloadable Resources

    OPEN DAYS

    All visits are welcome, please contact the school

    Sixth Form Experience Day: Wednesday 22 Jan 2025 -

    The best way to get a real sense of King’s School Rochester and all that it offers is to visit us. Meet our pupils, talk to our staff and feel the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere that makes us so unique.

    Open Eventsbook a place and find out more

    If any of these dates are not convenient, you are also welcome to book a personal tour by contacting Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or by emailing admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk

    As the second-oldest School in the world, King’s enjoys a truly unique and beautiful location, nestled amongst cobbled medieval streets in the heart of the Cathedral Precinct in historic Rochester. You can also take a Virtual Tour of our School and envision life on campus.

    For more information, you can check out our virtual prospectuses: https://kings-rochester.co.uk/admissions/prospectuses/

    RECENT NEWS

    What’s been happening at the School?

    All posts by King’s School Rochester
    • Flying the Flag for Eco...

      We are so proud to receive the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag award with distinction over the summer! Look out for...

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    • King’s School Rochester – excellent...

      King's School Rochester is proud to announce another year of excellent results in this year’s GCSE examinations. Following last year’s record-breaking success, the school has continued to uphold its strong academic standards, with a quarter of all GCSE grades awarded at the top levels of 8 and 9. Two-thirds of all grades achieved are 6...

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    • Home Sweet Comb

      On a bee-utiful summer day the bees moved into their new homes in Satis House gardens. Two hives had already...

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    • From Academia to Apprenticeships: A-Level...

      Plenty of faces were smiling at King’s School Rochester as the Class of 2024 opened their A-Level results and looked forward to embarking on the next chapter of their lives. Heading off to a wide range of destinations in the UK and overseas, including apprenticeships, a career in the Army, places at the prestigious Royal...

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    • Latest News from King’s School...

      To view the latest news from King's School Rochester please click HERE           King's School Rochester...

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    • Going for Gold at the...

      Congratulations to everyone who took part at the District Athletics Competition at Medway Park last week. Competing against over 15 secondary schools, King’s was thrilled to bring home a haul of gold and silver medals. All pupils that participated did extremely well in a competition that recognises the individual as well as the school they...

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    • Rowing at the Reading Regatta

      Last weekend saw the rowing team in action once again. This time they raced on the Thames at the Thames Valley Park regatta in Reading. The 500m race was side by side racing, upstream and started from stakeboats. The King’s rowing team had five entries in total for the day. The teams consisted of: OpJ17...

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    • New ISI Report

      Our last ISI Inspection was in May 2024 and the School has met all the required standards set by the ISI, we are delighted that the inspectors have recognised the many strengths and accomplishments within our school that led to this outcome. The Principal of King’s School Rochester, Ben Charles said, “This inspection report affirms...

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    • The Good Schools Guide Review

      We are thrilled with the newest review from the Good Schools Guide. “A small school with a big heart, anchored by tradition. Stands out in the area for its emphasis on the pastoral, academic and spiritual. Pupils say ‘you’re not a number, I feel seen here’ and that they feel ‘part of a very special...

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    • Old Roffensian Cricket Match

      On a glorious Rochester summer evening, the First XI played an Old Roffensians XI on the Paddock in a T20 game. The ORs batted first (they didn’t have eleven men to start with) and following an aggressive opening stand by Alaistair Saunders and Joe Middleton, which resulted in a couple of broken roof tiles on...

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    • International Gymnastic Success

      So proud of Saif S, an Upper Sixth boarder, who has returned from the International Gymnastics Federation’s open men’s competition in London with an incredible six medals in this prestigious one-day event. Demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication across all six gymnastic apparatus, Saif earned three silver medals in the floor, vault, and pommel horse. His...

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    • European Tennis Triumph

      Congratulations to Saha K (Lower Fifth) on his impressive performance at the Tennis Europe Tournament in Estonia. Saha won his third match making it to the last 16 in the Singles, where he faced the Number 2 seed in a highly competitive match. Additionally, he reached the quarter finals of the Doubles competition. Well done, Saha!

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    • A Celebration of Song

      Singers from each school performed their separate pieces alongside group performances from the massed choir. King’s Prep Choir and Choristers shared a number for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and other schools offered songs by Mike Batt and Glyn Lehmann. Highlights of the evening included a medley of local Kent...

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    • Whole School “Just Dance”

      The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 was ‘Movement’. Looking after mental health is just as important as physical health and the community was keen to celebrate both by encouraging the whole school to join in in our “Just Dance” event on the Paddock. The Lower Sixth pupils took the opportunity for peer leadership,...

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    • Bronze D of E Explorers

      40 Pupils from Remove’s participated in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Practice Expedition, practicing all the skills they have learnt from navigation, cooking, campcraft and team work. All the pupils had a fantastic time with lots of skills polished and lessons learnt ready for the Assessment Expedition in May. Well done to all involved.

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    • Success at Ball Cup Regatta

      Our rowing team competed at Eton Dorney Lake, the 2012 Olympic venue, in the Ball Cup South Regatta. The event was a great success, with our rowers participating in seven races throughout the day. The first race of the day was the J15 coxed quad and despite the stroke having to row with one oar...

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    • Splashes of Colour

      King’s staff and pupils alike rendered Thursday afternoon less grey, as they took to the Alps to participate in the Colour Run. This much-loved event was held to fundraise for Cancer Research, to commemorate and honour those from our King’s family who have recently been lost to this dreadful disease. Last term, King’s experienced the...

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    • Boarders Take on Twickenham

      KSR Boarding took both houses up to Twickenham to watch a close game between Harlequins and Northampton Saints, seeing many of the England squad rugby players. With a mix of boarders from Prep School to Upper Sixth, it was an opportunity many of them were excited to experience… a rugby game at England’s home of...

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