INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

Admissions

Founded in 604AD, King’s School Rochester is the second oldest school in the world and the oldest Cathedral Choir School. Whilst we are steeped in history and surrounded by breath-taking heritage, our vision is modern and resolutely forward-looking.

We are incredibly proud of the excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff we have here that delivers an outstanding education for girls and boys aged 2 to 18 years old, welcoming boarders from age 11.  Located in Kent, otherwise known as the Garden of England. Rochester is positioned 30 miles from London and is just over 30 minutes by train from St Pancras International, with Heathrow and Gatwick airports just 60 minutes away. Our historic locations means we are lucky to be located next to Rochester Cathedral and Rochester castle grounds – Take a look at our map of the school here.

Boarding At King’s

Boarding at King’s School Rochester is a true home-from-home experience. Our boarding community is small enough to have a family-like feel, where everyone knows one another and is treated as an individual, whilst the wide mix of nationalities makes English the common language and gives boarders a very immersive British education. The aim is to ensure that all boarders grow up in a secure, caring environment where each child receives the necessary care, attention and opportunities to develop and mature educationally, socially, physically and spiritually.

Life at King’s

The fantastic academic results produced at King’s represent a huge amount of hard work and dedication by both the pupils and their teachers. It is also our core belief that our pupils learn just as much outside the classroom as they do inside. Throughout the School, there is an extensive range of co-curricular pursuits from which to choose. In addition to our comprehensive sport, music, drama and arts programmes, we offer an impressive range of activities centering around personal development. King’s also provides an outstanding Careers and University application service to pupils as well as pastoral care and links with parents and guardians – Discover where our pupils go after King’s!

Music is a huge strength here at King’s, our longstanding relationship with Rochester Cathedral allows our pupil’s the privilege of performing in the second oldest bishopric of England. For the pupils that enjoy sport, we have state-of-the-art facilities including our sports centre, a heated indoor swimming pool, a rowing academy and a stunning cricket pitch. Drama students can take advantage of our fully equipped studio and our partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Art & Design department is a hub of creativity and imagination and our purpose-built creative studio ensures our pupils enjoy plenty of space and natural light for their latest creations.

Meet our Head of Admissions, Sue Webb

We know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Our Admissions team is here to offer guidance and support throughout the admissions process at King’s.

Sue Webb, Head of Admissions

ADMISSIONS

FAQs for International Admissions at King’s

King’s School Rochester is not a language school and therefore the preferred standard of English to be able to access the learning in the classroom is IELTS 5.5 as a minimum requirement and IELTS 6.0 is preferred.

All pupils offered a place at King’s will have completed English assessment tests prior to the offer being made and our EAL specialist will be able to plan a programme before arrival. Additional English is then delivered at the correct level for that pupil in one-to-one, individually tailored, 30-minute lessons.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk.

King’s School Rochester is a popular and often oversubscribed school but we are sometimes able to offer individual places in non-standard entry years so do please ask.

Most pupils from overseas join us at standard entry points aged 13, 14 or 16 into Years 9, 10 or 12. Younger pupils sometimes join in Year 7 subject to a suitable level of English. These four years are the best years for a new pupil to join as they can very quickly make new friends and settle into life at King’s at the same time as larger groups of other new joiners.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk.

Pupils are able to board at King’s School Rochester from age 11. To begin the application process,  please contact Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk.

International pupils will need to complete a Registration Form and pay the Registration Fee (currently £120). The Head of Admissions can then start the entrance proceedings outlined below.

Assessment

Applicants are assessed on the basis of their school reports, qualifications achieved and reference from their current Headteacher as well as on the face-to-face or Skype interview with the Principal.

Pupils of all ages sit papers in English and Mathematics and pupils wishing to enter aged 11 or 12 into Years 7 or 8 also sit tests in Non Verbal Reasoning. Pupils wishing to enter Sixth Form are also given specific tests relating to the subjects they wish to study for A Level if GCSE examinations are not being taken.
We require applicants to take our tests under supervised conditions, either here at King’s School Rochester or under examination conditions in their own school by special arrangement or in their local British Council office.

Application Deadline

We ask that all applications for September entry be received before 10th December of the preceding year.

FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Boarding Fees for 2025/26

11+ to 12+ entry, £11,335 per term (incl VAT)
13+ to 15+ entry, £16,329 per term (incl VAT)
16+ to 18+ entry, £16,433 per term (incl VAT)

Additional Charges

Wherever possible these are kept to a minimum and are mainly confined to:

  • School uniform
  • Public examinations
  • A Level books/manuscripts which are more expensive than average
  • Instrumental music tuition
  • EAL tuition
  • Rowing
  • Miscellaneous weekend Boarding activities, where applicable
  • Subject specific curriculum trips during term time
  • Optional organised trips during school holidays. For example; Choir tours, Sports tours, Arts/Classics trips

Registration Fee

£120 Registration Fee to accompany the Registration application form.

Entrance Deposit

An entrance deposit is payable when a place is accepted.  This deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves the School but is forfeited if the parent decides not to take up the place after the Entrance Deposit is paid or does not give one term’s written notice.

UK Boarders Entrance Deposit: £1,000
International Boarders Entrance Deposit: One Term’s Fees

Scholarships

King’s School Rochester offers a range of scholarships, all of which are available to both UK pupils and those coming to us from overseas. Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ for Academic performance as well as Sport, Art, Drama and Music.

Click here to visit our Scholarships & Bursaries page for more information.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk.

It is essential that every international boarder has an Education Guardian based in the UK. Guardianship must be arranged prior to arrival and the School be notified of contact details.

Guardians act in loco parentis and, in certain circumstances such as illness or emergencies, may be required to take care of a pupil in their own homes. They
must therefore be resident in the UK and live at a suitable proximity to the School, speak English and be capable of providing care for the child in a happy
home environment as would a reasonable and responsible parent. They should not be living in student accommodation. An Education Guardian may be a family
member, a family friend, a guardianship agency or other responsible UK-based adult.

Apart from emergencies, a good educational guardian will take an interest in the child’s development and progress, as well as supporting the School in good
pastoral care.

They provide a home-from-home environment for the pupil’s holidays if they do not return home. They attend parent/teacher meetings and report back to
the parents as well as generally monitoring the academic and social development of the pupil in their care. They also make travel arrangements and support the
child with any visa or BRP requirements whilst in the UK.

The School has someone who acts as a link between them, the child and the parent and who is an independent listener. At the same time, the parents have
confidence that if their child is in need of help or advice, someone is at the end of the telephone, email or text to help support, encourage and advise their child in their absence.

Visa Sponsorship

King’s School Rochester is a Highly Trusted Tier 4 Sponsor. Pupils that require sponsorship to study with us may be asked for advanced payment of fees before a CAS licence will be issued to ensure sufficient fund criteria is met. Our charge for issuing a CAS is £100.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact Sue Webb, Head of Admissions, on 01634 888590 or email admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk

The majority of boarders are long-term placements. Short-stay boarders of one/two terms or one year are welcomed subject to availability and priority for beds
is given to long term applicants. King’s welcomes UK and international boarders from age 11, offering a range of flexible boarding options to suit everyone’s needs. You can find everything you need to know here: Welcome to King’s Boarding.

Our Co-educational Boarding House

Boarding at King’s School Rochester is a true home-from-home experience. Our boarding community is small enough to have that family-like feel, where everyone knows one another and is treated as an individual. School House was built in 1880, but naturally has been extensively refurbished over the years and includes a common room, study rooms, music practice rooms and a fully stocked kitchen. All rooms have high-speed, age-appropriately filtered Wi-Fi, making it easy to enjoy a video call home. See where School House is located on our school map here.

Meals are a central part of boarding life – a chance to connect, unwind and feel at home. All food is freshly prepared on-site, with a cooked breakfast, school lunch, tea and dinner served daily. Menus feature fresh, seasonal and locally sourced produce, with special diets easily accommodated. Many evening meals are served family-style at long tables, creating a relaxed, home-from-home atmosphere.

Upon arrival, every boarder goes through an induction and familiarisation programme to help them feel settled and at home as quickly as possible. We want to ensure that our pupils’ boarding experience is an exciting and happy one, so pastoral support is always on hand 24/7 from the Head of Boarding, Tutors and Houseparent.

Nationalities

Our main aim is to maintain a balance of nationalities within the boarding houses so that the common language is always English and all pupils enjoy the benefits of a true British boarding school education. We have a healthy proportion of British boarders too so that there is a strong British influence in the Houses.

No Exeats

To help our overseas pupils there are no exeat weekends at King’s School Rochester. However, all pupils must leave the boarding houses during half terms and the longer holiday periods at Christmas, Easter and in the summer, either to go home or to stay with guardians. 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.

Parent Contact

All pupils are allowed to have a mobile phone with them which may be used in accordance with School Rules. All rooms in the boarding house have the latest high-speed internet connection as well as a computer suite with a set of PCs so communicating with parents, other family members and friends is easy and enjoyable.

The boarding house office also has a main telephone where messages may be left during the short periods when the phone is not manned.

Weekend Activities

All our boarders are encouraged to participate in weekend activities which are arranged with their involvement by the Housemaster.  The opportunities are endless but typical activities include trips to the beach, a pottery or cookery class, horse riding, a West End show in London or a visit to the local shopping centre for some retail therapy. Click here to follow our Boarding Instagram social account for life as a boarder.

START YOUR JOURNEY at King’s

Use the buttons below to navigate the next steps to starting your journey at King’s.

If you have any questions at any stage, please contact Admissions by emailing admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk or calling +44 1634 888590

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