Boarding

BOARDING

Welcome to BOARDING AT KING’S King’s School Rochester is the oldest choir school and the second oldest school in the world.

The School is nestled in the Cathedral precinct of historic Rochester and in the shadow of Rochester castle which boasts one of the finest Norman keeps in the country. King’s is truly a school with a strong historical tradition and a clear vision of education for the 21st century.

The last fifty years have seen the School grow in both size and stature and there are currently around 680 pupils from ages 3–18 on the school roll, with approximately 60 pupils per year group.

With a rich and diverse heritage, our pupils have been educated for over 1,400 years under the watchful gaze of Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle. 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.

Nearby travel links include airports London Gatwick (LGW) 50 minutes, London Heathrow (LHR) 80 minutes and London Stansted (STN) 80 minutes. We also have excellent train links to London St Pancras International (STP) 36 minutes and London Victoria (VIC) 43 minutes.

As well as links to mainland France via Eurotunnel (34 minutes) and P&O Ferries (95 minutes).

There are also international links via Eurostar to France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany which leave from London St Pancras International.

BOARDING HOUSES Overview King’s has two boarding houses – St. Margaret’s for girls and School House for boys. We accept boarders from age 11 and there are 55 beds in total. King’s offers a flexible boarding arrangement, with the option to choose from one (or more) nights’ boarding, weekly boarding or termly boarding – the choice is yours! Pupils are always made to feel welcome and at home, no matter how long they are staying for.

There is no exeat required at weekends and we don’t hold a Saturday school – boarding pupils have the freedom to choose how they wish to spend their downtime. That being said, there is always something fun on the calendar for the weekends! Trips to see shows in London, museums and theme parks, to name a few.

ST MARGARET’S HOUSE St. Margaret’s House is our girls boarding house and is a beautiful, late 18th-century house purchased in 1925 that underwent substantial refurbishment in 2005, including the addition of 12 en-suite bedrooms. Now, the house continues to feel like a home with some original features still hiding in plain sight and there are always staff at hand to help with any needs or questions.

SCHOOL HOUSE School House was completed in 1880 at a cost to the School of £5,535 (over half a million today!) for the Headmaster and boarders. At the time of building, it was specifically described as the “Headmaster’s House”.

It has remained a boarding house and underwent extensive refurbishment over recent years to brighten the dining room and shared space. Boys are welcome to make the space feel their own and there are always staff at hand to help with any needs or questions.

INDUCTION WEEK & ACTIVITIES We take the time to settle you into boarding life at King’s by providing a full week’s worth of introductory activities before the school term commences. This allows our pupils to ‘find their feet’ and settle in so that they can come home to a comfortable environment after a day at school.

Our comprehensive induction process for new boarders at King’s School Rochester begins with a warm welcome upon arrival, followed by a school tour led by tutors and house prefects. For starters joining in the Michaelmas term (September), parents/guardians are invited to join their children for a delightful English afternoon tea in St. Margaret’s garden, after which they will be given a guided tour of the school campus. The day concludes with a BBQ dinner and evening activities, allowing new boarders to bond with their peers and settle into their new environment.

ACTIVITIES Weekend activities are in abundance at King’s, with a vibrant calendar that can include: •

Bluewater Shopping and Dinner

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Brighton Adventure

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British Museum

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Broadstairs Beach Trip

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Canterbury

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Chatham Dockside

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Covent Garden Christmas Shopping

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Gravesend Escape Room

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Greenwich Park and Market

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Harry Potter World

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Ice-Skate and Shop London

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London Culture

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London Open-Top Bus Tour

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Pottery Painting Trip

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Putt Shack

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Science Museum

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Thorpe Park

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West End Pantomime

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West End Musical Show

DAILY ROUTINE Prep. School

Senior School

07:30 Breakfast

07:30 Breakfast

08:10

Registration and announcements

08:10

Registration and announcements

16:15

School ends Collect clean laundry, have a snack and relax, after school clubs and activities

16:15

School ends Collect clean laundry, have a snack and relax, after school clubs and activities

17:15

Prep (homework)

17:15

Prep (homework)

18:30

Dinner

18:30

Dinner

20:00 Shower and get ready for bed

20:00 Prep (homework)

21:00

21:30

Lights out

Remove lights out

22:00 L5 and U5 lights out 22:30

L6 and U6 lights out

TESTIMONIALS Several of our boarders are with us for many years and during their time at King’s they are privilege to extra academic support within the house as well as additional tutorial time with subject teachers where necessary. We provide a supportive and caring environment for our boarders, here’s what some of them have to say about us: Zibo from China “The King’s boarding house is fun, calm and happy. There is always a teacher waiting if you have any questions.”

Nicholas from South Africa “Living at King’s has made me a more mindful person, as well as giving me brothers that I never had. Being part of a boarding family gives you responsibility and helps to make you more independent and thoughtful.”

Joan from Spain “I find King’s boarding to be entertaining and not stressful. You have friends living with you so it is good and the boarding house has helped me to do things that I didn’t do in the past.”

Fran from England “I boarded at King’s throughout my mocks and GCSEs period and enjoyed it immensely. The boarding staff and boarders made me feel so welcome and I felt as though I fitted in immediately.

Despite initially being anxious about staying away from home for an extended period of time the boarding house quickly became a second home to me and I became part of the boarding family.

The boarding staff are always on hand to help with revision as well as support during stressful times.”

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