Welcome to
KING’S SCHOOL ROCHESTER
King’s is a remarkable school with a rich and diverse heritage, where pupils have been educated for over 1,400 years under the watchful gaze of Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle.
At King’s, we believe in preparing children for the 21st Century through educating the whole child. Our priority is ensuring that happy children perform to their best and the School is an exceptionally happy and friendly place where moral values, self-discipline, emotional intelligence and a Christian spirit underpin our family community.
Every step of the King’s School Rochester journey, from Nursery through to Sixth Form, is designed to help pupils flourish, grow in confidence and discover new passions. We believe that building a love of learning and developing independent thinking skills are just as important as achieving the best grades, and so our teachers help each pupil to realise their own potential.
There’s one motto we live by at King’s and that’s simply “Work Hard, Play Hard and Look After Each Other”, no matter what age you are.
why KING’S SCHOOL ROCHESTER
We are one school, where a happy learning environment is underpinned by a strong sense of care, kindness, moral values, self-discipline and emotional intelligence.
At King’s School Rochester, we believe in giving pupils the courage and confidence to be their best. Staff, pupils, parents and governors work together as one, to create and sustain the learning environment that makes our school so unique, ensuring its stewardship for generations to come.
We nurture the individual and celebrate diversity of talent – there truly is no typical King’s pupil. Each and every one is unique, and is treated as such. King’s School Rochester is a school for life, where pupils are prepared for life beyond education. We support this with our extra-curricular and careers activities whilst at the School, and then when a child leaves, we keep in touch and follow their journey, ensuring that they always remain a valued member of the King’s community.
Our motto is a simple one, “Work hard, play hard and look after each other” no matter what age you are.
King’s School Rochester finds itself situated in the heart of the historic town, nestled amongst cobbled medieval streets under the shadow of the Cathedral.
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. The town is just over half an hour away by train into St Pancras International and easily accessible from Kent and the southeast. This gives our pupils the best of both worlds – a wealth of bustling culture on their doorstep, combined with the peace of living in a picturesque country town.
The busy high street, filled with independent businesses and a burgeoning arts scene, means our town is the perfect location to learn, develop and grow. Situated on the banks of the River Medway, Rochester is full of charm and intrigue.
Our location in Rochester is an integral part of School life.
Whilst we may be the second oldest school in the world, our vision is modern and resolutely forward-looking.
Steeped in history and surrounded by breath-taking heritage, King’s School Rochester has moved with the times for over 1400 years.
Our School lies in the shadow of Rochester Castle, nestled within the Cathedral precinct. Thousands of pupils have passed through the School over the centuries, leaving their mark and creating a tangible sense of history. With our one-of-a-kind setting, our pupils understand what has gone before them and consequently their role in shaping the future.
Our pupils are given the mindset, knowledge and self-belief they need to step out, flourish, and emblazon their own positive mark on the world.
Strategically placed, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding.
Today it stands as a proud reminder of the history of Rochester, along with the cathedral and cobbled streets.
Through all the raids, battles and drama, King's School has stood under its impressive shadow, educating the children of Rochester.
King’s benefits from excellent transport links to London and beyond, perfect for international pupils.
Rochester Train Station is conveniently located less than a 10 minute walk from the School with London being just over a half an hour train journey away into St Pancras International.
Add to this the rolling countryside hills in one direction and the beautiful seaside in the other, our pupils have a wealth of bustling culture on their doorstep, combined with the peace of living in a picturesque country town.
It is our core belief that our pupils learn just as much outside the classroom as they do inside.
We consider participation in clubs and activities an integral part of the King’s experience.
From Reception through to Sixth Form, there is an extensive range of co-curricular pursuits from which to choose, taking place during lunchtime, after school and at the weekend.
We also offer a range of trips both in the UK and abroad to extend our young people’s horizons.
We instil in our pupils the practical knowledge and skills that will see them through the rest of their education and their future career.
At the end of their time at King’s, our pupils leave as fully rounded young adults, who go on to flourish and thrive in whichever path they take.
Our long established Old Roffensian Society allows past leavers to stay in contact with their contemporaries and participate in events and functions within the wider King’s network.
The Old Roffensians’ community provides pupils with a valuable network of contacts that will enrich and further their respective careers, in many cases giving them that crucial ‘foot-in-the-door’.
Whole School News
We announce that our Principal, Ben Charles, will be stepping down at the end of this academic year to take up the prestigious role of Head of Foundation at King’s School Worcester, starting in September 2025. While we are very sad to see Mr Charles and his family leave King’s, we deeply appreciate the exceptional [...]
Senior School News
We were fortunate to have nine mentors join us for a day to support our business challenge and to provide Lower Sixth pupils with a business problem to solve. Pupils were given a brief and then had the day to work on it, before presenting their business idea Dragon Den style to the mentors [...]
Preparatory School News
What an amazing few weeks it has been for our Year 5 pupils! They have truly knuckled down and immersed themselves in a variety of humanities subjects, including Religious Studies, Geography, History, and PSHEE. Their hard work culminated in a fantastic final project that involved creating artefacts linked to religion, beautifully merging elements from [...]
Nursery & Pre-Preparatory School News
Reception visited the Nativity at the cathedral on Friday. The children had a lovely time learning about the Nativity story. They had a chance to try on costumes and then made a ‘Nativity crown’ to record the story in pictures.
Preparatory School News
The overall results for the Nickless Prize for General Knowledge 2024 are now in! Christopher H (8W) was one of six centurions in Round Two of the Nickless Prize for General Knowledge. Recording a total of 141 points, Christopher snuck ahead of last year’s runner-up to claim the title by four points from classmate Emma [...]
Preparatory School News
The Choristers met the Master of the Mercer’s Livery Company this week when they sang for their Advent Sermon service. This took place in London and the Dean of Windsor was the Preacher at the service. The Choristers are also singing carols this week in aid of Air Ambulance.
Senior School News
Lower Fifth Computer Science pupils had the opportunity to visit the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge, a pioneering museum dedicated to the story of the Information Age. The visit included a fascinating tour showcasing the evolution of computing, an interactive session with the MegaProcessor - the world’s largest CPU - and a hands-on [...]
Senior School News
Recently 118 Senior School pupils participated in the Oxford/Raspberry Pi Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge (more than 40% of the whole Senior School!) and the results are now in. In Remove, 17 pupils got a Distinction, and 14 achieved a Merit award. In GCSE (L5 & U5), 12 pupils got a Distinction, and 11 achieved a [...]
Senior School News
Early this week, our pupils joined peers from 20 other schools across the country in attending the 2024 Benenden Model United Nations Conference. Senior School pupils from Removes through to Upper Sixth demonstrated research, negotiation and drafting skills in their work across several committees mirroring real world diplomacy as delegates representing Rwanda and Azerbaijan. [...]
Senior School News
On Friday the Combined Cadet Force at King's held its Annual Dinner welcoming 71 Guests, Old Roffensians, Staff and Cadets. The Guest of Honour, Mr Markham Chesterfield OR, spoke about resilience and his time in the CCF, Flt lt Caithness was dined out and spoke about his experiences. Major Short thanked the staff for [...]
Senior School News
Last Friday Samuel H (U6) shared a thought-provoking poem he had written about doors for his chapel address to Senior School. ‘Doors’ by Samuel H Some doors are made from oak and others from iron, Some doors are from churches, others are on homes, Some are on sliders whilst hinges hold others. Some doors come [...]
Boarding, Preparatory School News, Senior School News
Last weekend, our boarders enjoyed a magical trip to London, starting with a visit to Covent Garden, where they soaked up the festive atmosphere and explored the vibrant market stalls. The highlight of the day was an enchanting skate at Somerset House, where the iconic ice rink provided a perfect winter backdrop for an afternoon [...]
Preparatory School News
Neil Jones, the Tower Captain for Rochester Cathedral and the Current Chairman of the KCACR (Kent County Association of Change Ringers), spoke about bell ringing at the Prep School assembly this week and encouraged Y7 and Y8 to join the school bell ringing club next term. He explained how it was an adventurous, friendly, [...]
Preparatory School News
On Tuesday, our enthusiastic Year 5 pupils embarked on an exciting journey to explore two remarkable places of worship: Rochester Cathedral and Chatham Synagogue. As they delved into the rich tapestry of Abrahamic religions, pupils had the unique opportunity to compare these beautiful places of worship first hand. The experience not only heightened their [...]
Senior School News, Whole School News
Last Friday, the whole of the Senior School attended an informed and positive assembly about the work of the Eco Council hosted by Sage L (U6). Sage explained the inception and rapid rise of King's Eco Council and the improvements voted on by the Whole School Council in 2023, many of which have already [...]
Senior School News
Academic Scholars and keen historians were privileged to attend the latest Zetountes Society Lecture this week. The talk focused on the role of the British Army in India, charting the role of the East India company in the development of trading links via Robert Clive; the Indian Revolt of 1857; campaigns against and with [...]
Senior School News
The Christmas Concert at the Senior School took place on Wednesday. Though it was an early start for the Christmas celebrations, it certainly got everyone in the festive spirit! The opening music of the concert was from King’s Brass. The solemn but beautiful sounds of Henry Purcell’s Anthem from the Music for Queen Mary [...]
Senior School News
Despite the best efforts of Storm Bert there was a brilliant turn out for Saturday’s Cross County Run. Spirits were high and the mud and puddles only added to the fun!
Senior School News
Congratulations to Connor H (U6) who was nominated as a finalist for the Best Young Content Creator at the Football Content Awards. This category celebrated emerging talent in football content and Connors Instagram page @afc_connor was shortlisted. The awards ceremony was held at the Tottenham Hotspur White Hart Lane Stadium on Thursday.
Whole School News
Our parents of the PPS treated all Estates, Admin and Teaching Staff to a delicious breakfast on Friday to show their appreciation for all we do. Goodies arrived in Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools at 7.30am so everyone had a chance to enjoy breakfast before the start of the school day. On behalf of everyone [...]
Nursery & Pre-Preparatory School News
Year 1 had such a fun day on Wednesday for Knights and Castles Day. They took part in jousting, a Tudor dance, created their own crests and even got to wear and hold different castle artefacts.
Senior School News
When you meet bananas, a dinosaur, the Mario Bros, green men and other assorted creatures and characters it can only mean Children in Need is here! To raise money for this good cause Sixth Form decided to come to school in fancy dress last Friday. Everyone made such an effort. Well done Sixth Form. [...]
Nursery & Pre-Preparatory School News
As the reindeer draw ever near, Nursery pupils have loved learning all about them. They have created reindeer handprints and even built a sleigh!
Nursery & Pre-Preparatory School News
Reception classes had the best time at the Alps this week where we explored the different sounds we could hear in the woods. We used sticks to bang on trees, the floor and even the metal railings! We then did some leaf jumping… can you spot Mrs Charles in one of the photos? [...]
START your journey
Every step of the King’s School Rochester journey, from Nursery to Sixth Form, is designed to help pupils flourish, grow in confidence and discover new passions.