King's School Rochester Senior School A GSG School

Curricula

Cambridge Pre-U - an alternative to A levels, with all exams at the end of the two-year course.

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Choir school - substantial scholarships and bursaries usually available for choristers.

Sports

Rowing

Fencing

Shooting

What The Good Schools Guide says

Principal

Since 2019, Ben Charles, previously second master (senior deputy head) at Portsmouth Grammar for 10 years. Before that, director of music at Chigwell and Millfield. Music degree from Exeter and PGCE in music from Durham.

His mission to unite the pre-prep, prep and senior school and to inject a freshness to this traditional school has been a huge success, according to parents and pupils – perhaps best illustrated in the recent introduction of HEART (happiness, endeavour, aspiration, roundedness and teamwork). ‘Not just a nifty slogan, he really lives it’ – complete with hugs for parents, apparently. ‘He can read a room,’ a pupil told us, another calling him a ‘father figure’ and pointing out that he knows all their names. ‘Supportive’ and ‘inspirational’ were words used on repeat – ‘He makes you want to achieve more.’ His mantra, perhaps unsurprisingly, is ‘Work hard, play hard and look after each other’.

Choral music is his thing – and although modest, he’s incredibly accomplished. His eyes light up when he describes the recent ambitious whole-school performance of St Matthew’s Passion (sang in German) where he performed a solo – a ‘full circle moment’, he says, recollecting singing it at age 16 in Durham Cathedral. The stuff of goosebumps.

In his beautiful study, we spot photos of him meeting David Cameron alongside Lord Chadlington and another with Baroness Scotland (who recently visited the school). Cue the Chadlington scholarship (Lord Chadlington’s initiative) of which he is rightly proud – affording three talented pupils from local state schools 100 per cent fee remittance. ‘Really important,’ he says.

Lives on-site with wife Helen who also teaches at the school. He has four children whose photos also line his study wall – refreshingly unposed or stiff, just kids doing kid things. They attend the prep and pre-prep.

Entrance

‘Broadly non-selective,’ says school, with main entry point at 13+ when the vast majority move up from the prep, the rest coming in from other schools by Common Entrance or school’s own tests, interview and previous school report. Other places can crop up later in year 9 and occasionally in year 10.

About 16 new joiners at sixth form when candidates need five GCSEs with grades 9-4 and at least a 6 in chosen A level subjects (7s if studying MFL, maths and sciences).

Exit

Less than a third depart post-GCSEs, usually for local grammars or relocation. Vast majority of sixth formers to university, over half to Russell Group. LSE, UCL, Durham, York and St Andrews most popular recently. Economics is popular, with a splattering of more niche subjects including Arabic, social policy and menswear design. Politics also trending. A few to conservatoires each year, eg Royal College of Music. Recent degree apprenticeships secured with Morgan Stanley, Fidelity and Laing O’Rourke.

Latest results

In 2023, 53 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 22 per cent A*/A at A level (53 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 44 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 31 per cent A*/A at A level (58 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

Small class sizes allow for personalised teaching and, as one parent told us, all abilities thrive here – ‘Every pupil is successful, confident and a great communicator.’ Pupils say teachers inject fun into notoriously dry subjects. Certainly no time to yawn in a year 9 Latin class we dropped in on, where a fast-paced quiz was in full steam surrounded by engaging and humorous displays. And although we were amazed to see year 12s with their shoes on the tables in a psychology class, it transpired they were exploring left and right hand sided brains through ‘hands-on’ paired work tying shoe laces. Squeals of delight and groans of exacerbation filled the room. ‘My life finally got exciting,’ said one pupil about starting on their learning journey here, others telling us of friends who joined from grammar schools purely for the animated learning. Lots of stretch, add pupils, who say they ‘enjoy being challenged’ – and it’s clear there’s great rapport with the teachers.

Setting from the off in maths, English and science, with parents praising the fluidity and attention given to finding the right fit. The top set (‘grammar stream’) studies Latin, and academic scholars belong to the Zetountes Society (meeting weekly for lectures and discussions, eg ‘Is spirituality the highest human condition?’). German has been phased out across the school, to some parents’ bemusement, but French and Spanish are going strong (though not compulsory at GCSE). Most take nine GCSEs, some 10, with RS compulsory and given the thumbs up for its ‘transferrable skills’. Parents have noticed a real push on STEM, ‘which has to be good’ – about half take triple science. Computer science increasingly popular, and the school is an Apple Designated School Leader – some love it, a few less keen.

Most sixth formers take three A levels and an EPQ; some high achievers take four. The usual fare on offer with Latin, classical civilisation, sociology, psychology and politics popular. BTEC in sport is a welcome addition (equivalent to two A levels). Subjects such as ‘The banned book’, ‘Sustainability – five ways to save the planet’, ‘Beginners Mandarin’ and ‘The evolution of popular music’ are studied as part of the tantalising electives on offer. Everyone loves the sixth form centre, which is accessed from the headmaster’s lawn and takes up the basement of the Satis House (where Queen Elizabeth I is rumoured to have bunked down) including computer/study room, two common rooms and a few offices for staff who provide ‘excellent’ guidance. It was buzzing on our visit, also well-staffed and friendly (especially the ‘sixth form mum’ in reception). Sixth form lead is from a recruitment background, and the careers day and annual mini-interviews for two fictional roles for King’s Consulting are much anticipated. Business Challenge Day also a highlight, whereby pupils get stuck into a brief from a local business, eg the popular local Café Nucleus, presenting their solutions direct to the businesses.

Learning support and SEN

In its own homely building, located between prep and music, with calm, light and spacious classrooms and a computer suite. Twenty-two per cent are on the SEN register for dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism and speech and language, led by the full-time head of learning support, full-time learning support teacher and part-time EAL co-ordinator. No TAs. ‘Pupils don’t have to ask for help – teachers have the time and space to notice and be on it,’ said a parent, who added that ‘they will go over work in a different way within the classroom’. Small group work and one-to-ones available at an extra cost. A few pupils drop a language for learning support tuition. Pupils say that the extracurricular is particularly SEN-friendly here – ‘CCF helps, it gives me structure,’ said one cadet.

The arts and extracurricular

Music is described by parents as ‘joyful’ and ‘binding’. ‘Singing is massive,’ said a pupil, and we noticed heart-warming camaraderie between the choir and brass band in the morning service. Music is on curriculum for year 9 (at the tail end of the Kodály programme, which is run throughout pre-prep and prep) and very popular as extracurricular, with numerous concerts showcasing the orchestra, jazz, wind and rock bands. Every other year, there’s a large-scale classical endeavour, with something for everyone including the ‘musical hotshots’, and the open mic nights apparently get everyone up – ‘absolutely anything goes and absolutely no inhibitions!’ grinned a pupil. House music hotly contested. A handful take music GCSE; the same for A level. Music tour participants recently had ‘the time of our lives’ in Barcelona, the photos telling a tale of work hard, play harder (and eating lots of churros!). Lots of outreach too, collaborating with local schools.

The heady smell of paint hits you as soon as you enter the art department, then its sheer size. ‘I spend all my time here,’ said one pupil. We saw a year 9 class working on mixing acrylic paints for their still life – you could hear a pin drop with the concentration. The quality of artwork both here and around the school is staggering – no more so than in the head’s office where two impactful self-portraits hold court. Around 12 take GCSE; four at A level. DT focuses on solving design problems and pupils say it is masterfully taught eg they were recently shown how to make a foldable bed desk. ‘They’re really up front about how much work DT takes,’ one parent approved, ‘but they support every step of the way.’ Holiday art and DT sessions are popular.

‘Our plays are known for being really good,’ one pupil told us, adding that she hoped ‘that doesn’t sound big-headed’. We can see why, with a talented cohort of drama scholars and a skilled tech soc providing more than your bog-standard sets/props. We were bowled over by the pupil-made Aslan giant mannequin, as well as the pupil-made costumes for Romeo and Juliet (think steam punk meets The Hunger Games). Fiddler on the Roof was adapted to reflect the war in Ukraine – ‘really moving,’ we heard. Moon Landing had its world premiere here too. Next up? ‘It’s a secret’, the director of drama whispered.

Numbers for CCF (army, navy, RAF) are consistently high. We caught the parade and chatted to cadets who said ‘leadership’ was the draw. DofE popular at all stages too. Volunteering once a week for sixth formers, either to prep to support teaching or to a local school. All the usual sport and music clubs, along with other more niche offerings including astronomy and ultimate frisbee. Trips are varied, including cricket tour to Barbados and skiing. They are open to all, even if it isn’t your subject, with pupils telling us it’s ‘really cool’ to go on a 24-hour trip to Belgium to see WWI grounds.

Sport

‘Big enough to offer everything, small enough to manage bespoke needs,’ say parents. Pupils say they love the maximum participation (selection in teams A-D and fixtures almost guaranteed) but admit it’s ‘sometimes disheartening when up against larger schools’ although they add that ‘teamwork and fun’ are the biggest takeaways. Core sports are rugby, netball, cricket, athletics, hockey and football (note football will be replacing hockey for boys in September 2024, optional for girls, which pupils tell us ‘everyone’s excited about’). Rowing, based at the boathouse in Maidstone, has upped its game with an ex-international rower in charge. Now showing up at key rowing events on the calendar, and with some success too – most recently U18s bronze at indoor rowing championship. Health and fitness embedded, with years 9 and 10 getting their own gym, strength and conditioning training and recreational swimming in the 25m pool. Park runs, yoga and Pilates from year 11. Popular whole-school festival of running sees pupils entering as serious competitors, along with fun runners or those just doing walk and talk.

Sports scholars’ programme, overseen by a full-time head of athletic development, includes strength and conditioning, profiling, target-setting and mentoring. School is also supportive of elite young sportspeople who play outside school, creating bespoke timetables where required, currently for a Scottish international hockey player and Brighton Academy footballer.

Boarders

Full, weekly and flexi options, with recently refurbished girls’ dorms in St Margaret’s, a charming white Georgian property on the prep campus, while boy borders are based on the senior school campus. Described by a pupil as ‘boutique boarding’, there are certainly plenty of signs in the girls’ house reminding you this is ‘The Best Place Ever!’ (the boys house has the messaging ‘Hustle, Grit, Execute’ writ large and we were impressed by evidence in their rooms of doing just that – DT projects in progress and 3D printers at the ready). Pupils told us there’s a ‘family feel’, with older pupils like ‘siblings’.

Facilities include separate sixth form common room with TV and kitchen – ‘nice to have space where we can watch more appropriate stuff for our age,’ they said. Also, a quiet room for private phone calls or chats.

With no Saturday school, weekends are a healthy mix of ‘action and rest’, pupils say. Recent visits to see Harlequins, pottery painting, climbing, Twist Museum or simply popping into town for a Frappuccino all enjoyed by boarders. Walls jam-packed with snapshots of boarding shenanigans, eg Black tie Christmas dinner and lots of fancy dress.

Even split between domestic and international students, the latter mainly from Ukraine, Spain, Germany, Nigeria and China. Flexi-boarding particularly popular during exam season.

Ethos and heritage

Our visit began in the cathedral where the termly whole-school service was in full swing. It encapsulated everything the school does well, notably tradition and music (from magical Rutter with swooning choristers to foot tapping Shine Jesus Shine raising the roof with the brass band – we’re told the organ scholar sometimes even goes rogue on the postlude). Also charity, inclusivity and then… a flash mob hip hopping to Ice Ice Baby. The school has come a long way since 604 AD.

With claims to be the second oldest school in the world (founded at the same time as the cathedral and re-founded under Henry VIII when the monastery at Rochester was dissolved), the Norman castle is also a neighbour and there are even rumours of royal stays on campus. While the enclosed prep hugs the ‘paddock’ (aka the cricket pitch), the senior school is a scattering of 26 spread-out buildings comprising Georgian, Medieval and contemporary – all a stone’s throw from Rochester. ‘If only there was an outside playground or space for the seniors at break times though,’ mentioned one parent – although there are plenty of outside areas dotted around including Satis gardens, Davies Court, The Paddock, St Margaret’s Garden and a basketball court.

Uniform is worn with pride. Lapels are covered in pins, ties have different combinations of spots (eg for scholars’) and there are gowns in different colours, along with canes for prefects and even boaters. ‘It’s fun,’ felt one pupil, ‘it certainly makes uniform less boring.’ Girls can now wear trousers, much to everyone’s approval.

Food is served in the bright and cheery canteen adjacent to the boys’ boarding house. ‘It gets chaotic,’ we heard. We experienced ‘Chip Friday’ with no fish in sight (a first!) – instead a yummy jumbo-sized sausage roll. Enticing salad bar too.

Alumni include Prof Sir Derek Barton, who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry; Lord Chadlington, former Conservative cabinet minister; Pete Tong, Radio 1 DJ; and Matthew Walker, cricketer.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Pastoral care is a ‘lynchpin’ of the school, say parents, with staff helping to maintain a ‘safe’ bubble and recognise when pupils need support. We lost count of the references to the family feel – ‘teachers are like aunties,’ said one pupil. School counsellor also available. PHSE praised for its ‘spiral structure’ – and the school is currently participating in a research project by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine on the impact of high quality PSHE on sexual health and delay in sexual activity.

The large rainbow flag on the altar (part of the chaplain’s sermon) was one of several nods to inclusivity. Pupils say diversity is celebrated and that the EDI committee is proactive, eg organising cultural days. Pupil voice taken seriously too – school council recently asked for giant outdoor chess and Jenga – ‘No problem, leave it with us,’ the school responded.

Pupils say that discipline is ‘reasonable’, expectations are ‘clear’ and that they take sanctions like detentions with good grace. The ‘few mishaps’ tend, apparently, to mainly comprise bad language and uniform digressions – both of which the school comes down hard on. Pupils say there are no major issues with drink or drugs. Exclusions rare.

Pupils and parents

Pupils are charming, confident and mature – these are youngsters that look you in the eye and can hold a decent conversation. Parents are friendly and appreciative of the school’s difference in an area where there are 26 grammars within a 25-mile radius. They say their children realise they are ‘lucky’ to attend and that there’s no sense of privilege. Lots of Old Roffensians, but equally some first time-buyers. Many professionals and entrepreneurs, most dual income. Ethnic diversity reflective of the area. Minibuses service Gravesend, King’s Hill, Maidstone and Sevenoaks and pupils travel from all corners of Kent – but most are relatively local.

Money matters

Scholarships in music, art, drama, sport, academic and organ (all instrumental lessons free) with fee remittance up to 50 per cent. Means tested bursaries also available, mostly attached to scholars.

The last word

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 family'.

Special Education Needs

King's School is co-educational with selective entry and a wide range of ability. It is the School's avowed aim to satisfy the educational needs of all the children on the roll, regardless of ability. As part of this responsibility, we seek to identify children with special needs and to make suitable provision for them. 09-09

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