2019/20 | 01634 828115
THE RIC TIMES
www.rochester-college.org
A co-educational day & boarding school | Year 7 to Sixth Form | Non-selective & high performing | ISC accredited
Destination: Success Rochester Independent College is celebrating another year of top results. 60% of the 409 A level entries were graded A*-B, with top A* achieved in subjects ranging from English Literature, Sociology and History of Art to Computer Science, Biology, Spanish and Media Studies. The College’s results - from a mixed ability intake - comfortably match those from many highly selective grammar and independent schools. FutureDoc Rupert Cochrane-Dyet feels well prepared for his medical training: “What helped me most was the more relaxed relationship with teachers and lots of individual attention, giving me a more rounded understanding of my subjects. That five minute informal chat after lessons really helps. My study skills improved exponentially; my time management got better and I realised the importance of dedication and taking responsibility for myself and my own learning.” Rupert’s A*A*A* in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics have gained him a place at Southampton University to study Medicine.
The RIC route to a brighter future
Fashioning the future #FabRIC Noah George, who has a place on the highly competitive Fashion Design Menswear course at UAL’s Central Saint Martins says: “What I am really grateful to my teachers, Francesca and Robin, for is that they allowed me the space to find out what I am really capable of. They gave me the self belief to not produce pieces of work just as a tick-box exercise and to go on and make a career for myself in the fashion industry.” Exceeding expectations James Murphy from Sevenoaks thought success was beyond him after a disappointing set of GCSEs, but his parents confirm that being given time and individual encouragement has given him back his self-belief: “Two years ago James had very few options on GCSE results day; few schools would even speak to us, let alone discuss A levels. Only one school gave us hope and that was RIC.” Despite having only four GCSEs, James gained the precise grades - BBB - he needed for his place
2019 Oxbridge Trinity
at Aston University. “Thank you for not only making this possible, but for giving him the confidence to know that he can succeed. James has done better than many of his contemporaries from his old Grammar School, who, unlike him, were allowed into the sixth form.” Rochester Independent College was inspected by the ISI in 2018 who
reported: “The school fulfils its aim to enable pupils who have not necessarily had a successful experience in their education previously to reach the course of their choice. The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.They flourish as they become more confident because staff encourage them at all stages and provide high levels of pastoral care.”
There’s more than one path to top universities
Three students are off to Oxbridge this year via RIC
Three coveted places, three very different academic pathways. Georgia Crean is taking up the place she secured post A level results after moving to RIC for year 13. Felix Enslin took his A levels in a single year after switching from the IB. Thanawitch Chatbipho’s main hurdle was the level of English language he needed to achieve the top grades.
Year 13 transfer
2 Year A level
1 year A level
Georgia, who featured in last year’s RIC Times, says she has “had an absolute blast of a year” after deciding during her gap year to apply for Biochemistry at Oxford. Her previous school considered her background too weak for A level Biology, but she transferred to RIC’s year 13 and gained grade A in a year from scratch which, with the A*A in Chemistry and Maths she took at the same time, secured her place at New College.
Thai Government Scholar Thanawitch is heading to Merton College Oxford, to read Chemistry. He feels the individual approach at RIC helped him to gain his A*A*A*A in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Further Maths: “The English classes have helped me to use my knowledge better in the A level classes. I have also really enjoyed being able to discuss beyond the A level syllabus with my two Chemistry teachers.” Four new Thai Scholars join RIC this September.
Felix was home-educated before taking the IB at a grammar school. Having decided to switch from the sciences, he joined RIC’s year 14 for three new A levels in a year and set his sights on Cambridge to study History and Politics. “I actually felt relaxed and well-prepared in my interview. When I explained the reason for my choice of sample essay was that it was the only one I’d written, the interviewers were amused, but not concerned.”
“Go there, they know what they’re doing.”
Charlie Stocks, Year 14. Destination 2019: University of Bristol, Economics and Politics