SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Parents whose children haven't been given their first choice of secondary school are
being encouraged to look in other directions by one Kent private school.

Families across Kent and Medway learn on March 1 if they have been successful in
their choice of school for the next stage in their child's education.

But Rochester Independent College says private education is not always what it
seems and urges families not content with what they've been given to contact them.

The co-educational day and boarding school, which also opens its doors every April
to pupils from outside the college looking for access to its excellent teaching and
small class sizes for specialist GCSE and A-level Easter Revision Courses, says life
within its urban campus is unique.

There is no uniform, no bells ring, students and staff are on first name terms and
the average size of a class is eight.

And pupils don't sit in rows but instead around a table together with a member of
staff in a style similar to university tutorials.

But the focus is on mutual respect, good behaviour, achievement without
unnecessary pressure and a supportive atmosphere which staff believe will all lead
to outstanding exam success.

And it does.

While students may join its different year groups for many reasons, with admission
to each year-group non-selective, the progress made by pupils once at RIC is a
record to be proud of.

The school is both the top school in Medway and within the top five percent of
schools in England for the progress students make.

And maximising each pupil's potential is exactly what Rochester Independent
College is about.

An academic curriculum runs alongside a creative one where pupils take courses
including Photography, Film, Media, Fashion and Textiles alongside Maths, English,
Science and other core subjects.

Headteacher Alistair Brownlow's approach that there is no 'one fit' for students
means there are no timetable blocks or option groups and youngsters can select the
subjects and courses they are most interested in.

And what's more - if some subjects turn out not to be what the student expected,
the college supports those who express an interest to change their options part-way
through a course.

With extensive expertise in delivering one-year GCSE and A-level courses, the
school is well equipped to ensure students make good and rapid progress at
whatever stage they may be in their learning.

It is for this reason every April RIC opens its doors and facilities for two weeks to
pupils from other Kent schools revising for GCSEs and A-levels who can benefit from
its excellent academic record.

Intensive week-long Easter Revision Courses begin on Monday, April 2 and Monday,
April 9.

Small pupil groups, teaching from the college's permanent teachers, who all have a
proven track record of results, initial assessment to determine the areas which
require attention and targeted revision are available in all subjects to increase both
grade prospects and confidence.

For further information on RIC's Intensive Easter Revision Courses telephone the school on 01634 828115 or visit the website

Alternatively for further details about the school's year seven intake, including its two taster days on Wednesday, March 7 and Wednesday, April 25 click here