2018/19 | 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
Make the Grade for Top Universities Study with us - one of the top 5% of schools in England for progress at A level
In 2018, 62% of A level results at RIC were at A*-B. Remarkably, this included many students who joined to retake or had gained very low grades after completing Year 12 elsewhere. RIC is ranked in the top 5% of schools in England and top in Medway for progress at A level. This government performance measure demonstrates how well our results compare with those from highly selective
grammar schools, despite our broad ability intake. RIC students achieved A* grades in subjects from Chemistry and Further Maths to English Literature and Sociology. Top performers this year include Warach Veeranonchai whose grades of A*A*AA on a one-year course won him a place at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Maths.
Successfully Academic and Creative RIC has existed since 1984, when it was established as a Maths and Sciences school for intensive courses. Now, the College offers 40 different A level subjects and this diversity is reflected in our university destinations. A flexible timetable is designed around the students rather than being a framework into which they must fit. Our students are not neatly categorised into either creative or academic paths as their different interests are often complementary rather than contradictory. We appreciate that just because someone wants to study biochemistry
it doesn’t mean they don’t have a passion for designing beautiful clothes. In fact, quite the opposite. A really effective fashion designer or ceramicist must have an awareness of the science that underlies their art, just as the most able mathematicians often have a talent for art or music. Success stories this year that combine academic and creative achievements include Cordelia Heath who came from King’s Rochester with BBD in Biology, German and Chemistry. With an eye on her aim of Biomedical Science at Sheffield University, she decided to
combine her science retakes with a one-year course in Textiles, gaining A* in one year from scratch. Combining Mathematics with Art subjects for a career in Architecture is more common. Mungeh Ndzi, who came to RIC from Tonbridge School, took the opportunity to really broaden his portfolio by adding to his BBE in Art Maths and Biology. He has now polished up his portfolio of subjects with AAB in Maths, Graphics and History of Art (the latter two in one year). and has a place at UCL’s prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture.
“RIC was the first place where I have ever genuinely enjoyed being in a school environment.” Emily Lai Destination 2018: LSE, Law
reasons
From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115
to come to RIC
SIXTH FORM
RIC supports realistic high ambitions
RIC won’t judge you by your GCSE grades
and helps you realise them without unnecessary pressure
we’ll help you improve them and make progress
It is always a shock not to receive the grades you wanted, but it need not be the end of high aspirations. Joel Champion achieved grades ABB at the Judd School but this was not enough for the course he was aiming at. Joel retook two subjects and added English Literature from scratch, gaining A*AA and a place at Exeter. “I really enjoyed English and was so pleased with my A* result, especially since it was my only B at GCSE. Social and political protest writing linked well with Politics and Economics. RIC has been a stepping stone between school and university. Weekly boarding meant that I could get my creature comforts at home yet have a social life at college, living with people the same age as me. Taking control of my own education ensured I had the motivation to succeed.”
University Destinations 2018
Many selective schools will only allow students to start A levels with As at GCSE. These grades, though, are not always a true measure of potential in our experience. The success of students like George Marlow demonstrates that one bad year doesn’t have to mean the end to higher education dreams.
RIC allows a wide subject choice with no option blocks 40 subjects to choose from Many school timetables are set in stone; but not here. At RIC, small classes and a 3:1 student to staff ratio allows far more flexibility. Almost any combination of subjects is possible. A student from China who moved to RIC at the end of his Year 12 at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate said: “Teaching quality is high at RIC and I love the flexible timetable the school provides. I was able to take my complete A level Maths in Year 12 and am really happy with my grade A.”
George came to RIC three years ago with one GCSE pass and little confidence in his future. He now has six GCSEs and BBC at A level. His family are full of enthusiasm for his prospects: “George joined RIC at rock bottom. Roll on three years, he leaves with outstanding GCSE and A level results, his confidence restored and some lovely friends.” George is now off to study Graphic Design at Falmouth University.
UCAS places as at 20/8/18
Student Name Previous School University Course University Harry Bolton Holcombe Grammar Zoology Anglia Ruskin Dominic Kwan King’s School, Canterbury Medicine Anglia Ruskin Finlay Cripps Berkhamsted School Int Rel with Economics Birmingham Oskar Erb-Rutherford Bickley Park School Applied Psychology Brighton Constance Skillern Simon Langton Grammar Modern Languages Bristol Daisy Cochrane-Dyet Sackville School Veterinary Science Bristol Hugo McFadyen Tonbridge Grammar (Boys) Zoology Bristol Owen Wokes Maidstone Grammar Accounting & Finance BUWE Lorna Kennedy King’s School, Rochester Psychology BUWE Ruiqui Wang Box Hill School Art Foundation Camberwell Warach Veeranonchai Thai Government Scholar Maths Cambridge Giovanni Del Guercio St Olave’s Grammar Economics & Management Cardiff Frederick Hutchins Tonbridge School Business & Management Cardiff Aarti Sharma St John’s Catholic Comp Optometry Cardiff Merryn Smith Walthamstow Hall Psychology Cardiff Iris Joffe Invicta Grammar Nursing Cardiff Nadia West Ecole le Verseau, Belgium Art Foundation Central St Martins Elise Bailey St Anselm’s, Canterbury Music & Musical Theatre Chichester George Felipes Bayside Comp, Gilbraltar Intl Marketing & Business De Montfort Lena Sukprasongphol Ruthin School Law Dundee Nathan Antrobus Hillcrest School, Kenya Mechanical Engineering Dundee Alex Maynard Maidstone Grammar History Edinburgh Yasmin Hamza Gravesend Grammar Accounting Essex Joshua Chopra King’s School, Rochester Psychology Essex Charles Stacey Howard School, Rainham History Essex Neranjana Elapatha Bryony School Psychology Essex James Martin Judd School Archaeology Exeter Elizabeth Brown Kent College, Canterbury Drama Exeter Filippo Giustiniani Int School Lausanne Mechanical Engineering Exeter Samuel Poole King’s School, Canterbury Business & Management Exeter Amelia Barker Mayfield School Drama Exeter
Student Name Previous School University Course University Joel Champion Judd School Economics & Politics Exeter Oliver Lewis Sutton Valence Flexible Combined Honours Exeter Emily Kenny Walthamstow Hall Anthropology Exeter George Marlow Langley Park School (Boys) Graphic Design Falmouth James Woolger Palmer College Illustration Falmouth Elizabeth McGovern Ampleforth College, York Marine & Freshwater Biology Glasgow Cara Hall RIC year 7-13 Spanish & Latin Am Studies Hull Isobel Scott-Malden Home Educated English Literature KCL Jack Coleman North Kent College Cultural St & Soc Anthropology Kent India Bascome Seevic College Business Economics Kingston AlexanderHutchinson St Olave’s Grammar PPE Lancaster Oliver Jackson King’s School, Canterbury English & Film Leeds Adam Kerr Sir Roger Manwood Bioveterinary Science Liverpool Faustina Nwodo St John’s Catholic Comp Medicine Liverpool Demspey Clarke The Belgravia Centre, Doha Film Liverpool J M Celine Khan Rochester Math International Business Loughborough Alfie Etheridge Holcombe Grammar Sport & Exercise Loughborough Emily Lai Rochester Grammar Law LSE Matthew Hogan Caterham School Biotechnology Manchester Amy Eldred King’s School, Rochester International Management Manchester Edward Graham King’s School, Canterbury Politics Newcastle Jordan Earle Maidstone Grammar Linguistics Newcastle Andrew Morgan Tonbridge School Chemical Engineering Newcastle Bedirkhan Kaplan King’s School, Canterbury Modern Lang & Business Newcastle Progress Debewari Acorn House Management Northampton Quentin Pantics Maplesden Noakes English & Philosophy Nottingham Alekh Basra Gravesend Grammar Industrial Economics Nottingham Francesca Griffin London Coll of Cont Arts Sociology Nottingham James Anstee Battle Abbey Economics & Finance Oxford Brookes Sophia Rhodes Cranbrook School Biomedical Science Portsmouth Haviness Vithyakaran Gravesend Grammar Mechanical Engineering Portsmouth
“Many students transfer after poor progress at AS or A level, and the effect can be dramatic.” Good Schools Guide
From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115 RIC helps you aim for medicine, vet science & dentistry
RIC enables you to switch schools after Year 12
even after a set back
and get back on track
“This time last year I was very confused and upset. Thankfully I read testimonials on the internet regarding the successes of students that had attended RIC. I spent the year resitting A level Chemistry and taking a new A level in Sociology. The support from the teachers with rewriting a personal statement and preparing for interviews was invaluable. Today, I am delighted to say that I can be like others in recommending RIC and the wonderful teaching service and support they offer, regardless of previous academic achievements.”
Faustina in now set to start her course in Medicine at Liverpool in September.
Georgia Crean got a grade A in Biology in one year from scratch along with an A*A in Chemistry and Maths after transferring from Sir Roger Manwood’s Grammar as a boarder. Georgia’s A grade in Biology is particularly impressive given previous advice she had been given: “When I was choosing subjects in Year 11 I was told Biology A level would be too hard for me. But I came for an interview at RIC at the end of Year 12 and was inspired to transfer and take Biology from scratch in a year. It didn’t really feel like a big decision – I think I needed a change.” This time last year, the exclusion on academic grounds of Year 12 students from the super-selective St Olave’s Grammar School hit the national headlines. A number of the affected students ended up finishing their A levels at RIC and are now celebrating first-choice university places.
Student Name Previous School University Course University Charlotte Bendkowski Sutton Valence Comparative Literature Queen Mary Holly Ellis RIC year 7-13 English Literature Queen Mary Ghazia Fiaz Rochester Grammar Pharmacy Reading Allanah Whiteland Bishop Challoner Film Roehampton Henry Patrick St Olave’s Grammar Philosophy Royal Holloway Jacob Lawson St Olave’s Grammar Aerospace Engineering Sheffield Cordelia Heath King’s School, Rochester Biomedical Science Sheffield Jamie Potter Bethany School Media Production Solent George Ricci Brighton College Games Design South Bank YattaharanManoharan Gravesend Grammar Economics & Finance Southampton Adam Davis St John’s Catholic Comp Politics & Intl Relations Southampton Taylor Hills St Olave’s Grammar Population & Geography Southampton Bethany Clark Invicta Grammar Paramedic Science St George’s Ben Atkinson Oakwood Park Media & Film Surrey Robyn Smith Tonbridge Grammar (Girls) Psychology Surrey Maxwell Phillips King’s School, Rochester Psychology Surrey Felix Allen Rugby School Film Sussex Alice Angel Simon Langton Grammar Sociology Sussex Lilith Saville Hippely Home Educated English & Drama Sussex Alina Webster Hills Road, Cambridge History Sussex Dilaria Karagol Basil Paterson, Edinburgh Psychology Sussex Charles Knox King’s School, Canterbury PPE UCL Mungeh Ndzi Tonbridge School Architecture UCL Gabriel Tiller Hilden Grange School Film & TV UEA Bethany Clark Invicta Grammar Nursing UEA Harrison Ellery - McLean Fettes College Maths & Physics Warwick Louis Griffin Highgate School History Warwick Alexandra Costas Liverpool College Business Westminster Harrison Fornasier Bishop Challoner Interactive Media York Keziah Griffin Weald of Kent Grammar Sociology & Criminology York
RIC prepares students for life at university while still offering the structure and support of a top independent school Lilith Saville-Hippely says: “I started RIC never having been to school at all, having done my GCSEs at home.
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The relaxed atmosphere and the friendliness of the teachers and students made it easy to become fully immersed. This, along with the autonomy that you get outside of classes, meant that I felt at home straight away. I would recommend RIC to anyone wanting a good, well-rounded education taught by brilliant people who truly care about their subjects”.
9
33
2015 38%
10%
28%
2016 36% 26%
20% 5% 35%
2017
8% 32%
26% Creative Arts Social Sciences
29%
2018 35% 28% Arts and Humanities Sciences
“Pupils have come from grammars where they felt under too much pressure, or from large schools where they felt overwhelmed, and all say that they are learning better and enjoying school more here.” Good Schools Guide
What do RIC students study at University?
Faustina Nwodo’s C in A level Chemistry thwarted her long-held ambition to become a doctor.
From Year 7 to Sixth Form | www.rochester-college.org | 01634 828115
RIC Gallery
Tyra Hartman, A level Photography
Cara Hall, A level Textiles
Mungeh Ndzi, A level Graphic Design
Charles Boissier, GCSE Photography
Georgie Frederick-Hoser, A level Fine Art
Dalston and Lower East Side Flâneuring visited the first major UK exhibition of 80s New York enfant terrible of the art world Jean Michel Basquiat at the Barbican.
RIC Art students were in East London this year on a street art tour around Shoreditch organised by Alternative London. After hunting out the Banksy pieces, the students worked on their own graffiti art in a workshop and then
Music and Music Technology A level students also visited Cafe Oto (“Oto” means sound or noise in Japanese), which was one of the first experimental music venues in London. They went to see an art/sound music event at the Dalston venue at which four artists were showing their work. All the artists had created new instruments that worked with the relationship between light and sound.
Samuel Read, A level Graphic Design
Sir Bob at the gates RIC’s musical gates by sound sculptor and Bjork collaborator Henry Dagg are causing quite a viral stir on the internet as well as on Star Hill. We’ve already had some famous visitors including former Boomtown Rat, Band Aid and Live Aid imagineer Sir Bob Geldof. Rehearsals for the grand opening of this unique musical instrument and landmark piece of public art have begun with a talented combo of local musicians from the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. The date for this event is set for Sunday 16 September - it‘s guaranteed to be a performance to remember.
”Parents all speak highly of the pastoral care, and the growth in confidence they have witnessed in their children.” Good Schools Guide
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"It’s hard to imagine better provision for an artist.” Good Schools Guide
Harrison Fornasier, A level Photography
Justin Ng, GCSE Photography
Georgie Frederick-Hoser, A level Fine Art
Adam Drury, GCSE 3D Design. RIC Ralph Steadman Art Scholar 2018
Charlotte Foley, A level Textiles
Celine Khan, A level Graphic Design
Born to be Wilde
Lana Randolfini, A level Fine Art
From Frantic Assembly to Pan in the Park Acclaimed company Frantic Assembly came to work with RIC Drama students in our own on-campus theatre space this year. The devising and physicality workshop encouraged them to be confident, brave and bold in their collaborative work.
One of this year’s English Literature set texts was The Importance of Being Earnest. Merlin Holland (centre), Oscar Wilde’s grandson and scholar of his work, visited to talk about the playwright and
cultural icon. Huge thanks to Merlin for sharing his knowledge about Wilde and for answering the students’ questions, and to our friends at the European Arts Company for organising the event.
Highlights this year included Theatre de Complicité’s The Encounter, Pinter’s The Birthday Party, The Taming of the Shrew at the Globe, Peter Pan in Regent’s Park and the hit musical by The Feeling frontman Dan Gillespie-Sells, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie.
All RIC students, both day and boarding, are welcome to take part in our exciting programme of theatre trips.
“Those whose strengths lie outside the traditionally alpha areas of academic or sport have their own kudos. ‘There is a lot more respect for art and creativity,’ said one pupil.” Good Schools Guide
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RIC goes to the movies Film Studies is a really popular option for students to take as a one-year course. It has multiple benefits as a ‘third’ A level even for the most competitive of courses as well as being good preparation for Film itself at university. A key benefit of taking the course in RIC’s Good Schools Guide award winning Film department is the amazing results that can be achieved in a year – 100% A/B-grades for our 25 201718 students. Head of Film and Media at RIC Lisa Herron who has taught the subject here for 15 years says: “The syllabus covers aspects of history, philosophy, psychology, cultural studies, and business studies as well as
giving you the opportunity to stretch yourself creatively and is far from being an easy ride.” Sam Poole, who came to us from King’s Canterbury with grades of BBC, took Film as a one-year course and is now off to Exeter to study Business and Management, with grades of AAA. He said, “While it wasn’t a subject I would have initially considered, I really enjoyed it and found that it provided a welcome contrast to Economics and Spanish. Film definitely helped me with my analytical and essay skills and brought out my creativity in the practical work.”
New Faces Rob Byrne, who has just received an MA in Journalism from the University of Kent and works as a reporter for the KM Media Group, said “Studying Film at RIC helped me gain many of the digital filming and editing skills that I use today when doing video reporting.”
Below: Stills from films made by RIC students
The main strength of a school is the quality of its staff and at RIC the already well-established team is joined in September by a range of new teachers. Warwick graduate Ellen Crozier joins from Maidstone Grammar School, where she was Head of History, as Head of Teaching and Learning in the Sixth Form. Loughborough and Leeds graduate Helen Rose is an art and design specialist and takes the same role in the Lower School. Helen was previously Assistant Principal at Goodwin Academy. Michael Rowlands joins to teach Economics from The Judd. Michael hadn’t even started his first teaching job when he won an award for his skills in the classroom being named the Economics, Business and Enterprise Association’s trainee teacher of the year. Judges were impressed with his humour and superb subject knowledge. Other new appointments include Michael Stanley to teach Chemistry from Highsted Grammar and Robert Dimble, a new Oxford University Maths graduate, accomplished pianist and composer of jazz, funk and fusion music. Robert who has played at Ronnie Scott’s and Bestival will be teaching Maths and Music.
Flagging Up Student Achievement to give students an enjoyable and successful experience of school. • Students’ positive attitudes are nurtured by the warm and mutually respectful relationships between staff and students and acceptance of students by the college.
RIC commissioned a mock inspection by ISI Consultancy last term to check its readiness for a future inspection. Highlights of the consultants’ findings included: • Students’ achievement is very high. Official government analysis states
that sixth form students’ progress is ‘well above average’, and that the percentage of students attaining high grades at A-Level is well above average. • Teaching features timely, clear and precise explanations and guidance. It stimulates and engages the students highly, in keeping with the school’s aim
• Students are very confident to ask pertinent questions and express their ideas without worry. They display very high levels of self-confidence, in accordance with the school’s aim to develop students’ confidence about themselves and their education.
grown as a result of the very warm relationships they have with staff and their considerable attentiveness and availability. • Students expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation of the way that they worked with one another. Students said that this was because the ethos of the school is highly inclusive, welcoming and supportive, and that, as a consequence, all students treated and supported others from backgrounds different to their own with great respect.
• Students, including boarders, speak very positively about how their own self-confidence and awareness has
“Maths is the biggest A level subject. English Literature and Film Studies are also strong departments, both having received Good Schools Guide awards in recent years.” Good Schools Guide
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Reaching for the stars, but not forgetting the flowers ...with apologies to Jeremy Bentham
and Professor Alice Roberts as well as visits to the Natural History and Science Museums in London.
Juniper Hall Residential
In the last week of the summer term, Biology students head off to Juniper Hall, a field centre in Surrey, leased from the National Trust and known for its Victorian ice house, and butterfly garden. The annual field course sees A level biologists completing a practical component of their course. The trip combined great fun and hard work comparing woodland, observing small mammals, pond dipping and (the best bit of course) statistical number crunching.
Star gazers
Given the current emphasis on diversity and inclusion, it seems appropriate to feature a student’s experiences at UCL, a university with famous connections to Jeremy Bentham, a liberal thinker whose ideas influenced the first institution in England to admit students of any race, class or religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. A recently published Bentham manuscript even sees him arguing for the use of gender neutral pronouns. We like to think he would have endorsed our Lower School diversity week.
RIC alumnus Best (Nonpawith Phoommanee), second year Biomedical Engineer at UCL, has been involved in projects showing the fascinating use of principles from all the sciences from Biology to Computing: “In the first year, I created an android app for pulse-rate monitoring using principles of oximetry and basic programming and developed support materials so fellow students can build on the app. In the second year I designed smart shoes which light up in the dark and detect the pacing and applied force to the foot to prevent injury from repetitive stress.” Best combines his studies with being a president of the Origami society.
“I organise teaching sessions and charity fundraiser events in collaboration with unicef society and UCL Make London Home. I am currently a project leader for teaching origami for children in University College Hospital and Moorfield Hospital.” We think Jeremy Bentham (right) would be proud to have Best in his University.
WISE STEMettes
WISE (Women Into Science and Engineering) is an organisation promoted strongly in some top universities and it is always good to take the chance to introduce girls at an early age to the idea that science really is not just a boy thing. While women are certainly well represented in the RIC science department, there is no doubt that there is still a gender imbalance in the field generally.
Students and staff will be able to put the RIC telescope to good use this year as GCSE Astronomy is added to the already broad range of subjects available. It will be taught by new staff member Victoria Ng who joins the Physics department from Rochester Grammar.
Science week
Chemistry Olympiad
Year 12 Chemistry students had fun competing in the first round of the UK Olympiad with Thai scholar Thanawitch Chatbipho (pictured below) romping in with a top score way ahead of his nearest rivals.
The cross-curricular science week in the lower school is always an excellent chance to show students how science is relevant across all subjects. Teachers Alex and Ben organised a fantastic week of science-related activities following the theme of ‘Conservation’ and each year group was assigned a habitat to explore for the week. Other events included a trip to Wildwood, near Canterbury, and Zoo4You came to give a talk and brought lots of live birds and animals with them. Below: Lower School rocket launching
In the autumn term, Year 8 and 9 female students attended a pop-up event focused on robotics in which they were runners-up in a design and make competition. The event promoted careers for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related jobs. Other science trips through the year have included the Apollo Theatre for “GCSE Science Live”, featuring some well-known experts such as Professor Robert Winston
“The students are a strikingly nice bunch. It’s a place for individuals, and there’s a lovely air of tolerance and warmth.” Good Schools Guide
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G5 and the Russell Group The Russell Group is now an established brand in the educational landscape with aspirational students and discriminating employers often targeting these 24 research-intensive institutions. RIC students have an enviable track record of winning places at these universities. Importantly, of course, there are many good universities and courses outside the Russell Group and we always recommend to students that they consider all of their options and make informed choices that are a good match for their interests, rather than just considering league tables and prestige. Five members of the Russell Group Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and the LSE - form a set of super-elite institutions known as the G5. These premier league universities do not always have the highest teaching quality ratings but they are consistently the most highly placed UK universities in the world
rankings. RIC students have won places at all of these premier league universities in the past three years for courses that have included Medicine at UCL, Computer Science at Imperial and Psychology at Oxford. This year, Emily Lai has a place at the LSE to study Law. She says of her two years at RIC: “Coming from a ‘top’ local grammar school, RIC was a great change of pace. The college‘s relaxed atmosphere creates an environment of motivation, encouragement and support, rather than one of pressure, intensity and unhealthy competition. The bonds I created with tutors and the level of support and knowledge they were able to impart to me in both group lessons and on a one to one basis was instrumental to my academic success and growth as a person. RIC was the first
place where I have ever genuinely enjoyed being in school. The tutors were always more than willing to give up their own time to support me both academically and personally. It was evident that they wanted the best for me. They recognised my strengths and encouraged me and supported me on a level beyond what you’d expect from a school tutor - and one that I have personally never experienced before.
Kent’s non-uniform 11+ alternative Combining academic rigour with a creative buzz
Evan’s mum says: “Evan has flourished in his first year at RIC, both academically and personally. In his primary school, it was easy for him to get ‘lost’ in a class of 30, and because he was quiet he perhaps didn’t receive the attention he needed. Now in small classes, he certainly makes his opinions heard! He was offered a place at a local grammar school, but when we looked round there, the large classes were off-putting. At RIC, Evan has loved the range of creative subjects offered and is enjoying PE for the first time, participating in sports such as badminton, ice skating, dodge-ball, climbing and skiing.”
Kent has the UK’s most grammar schools and their presence shapes the educational experiences of the children who win places at them and those who don’t.
ISI inspectors judge personal development and behaviour at RIC to be excellent and there is an expectation that all will grow in confidence and self-esteem and have great memories of school life.
RIC is an academically non-selective school but attracts students from all over the county who are looking for an 11+ alternative to both grammars and traditional independents.
Evan chose RIC over a local grammar after attending a Year 7 taster day. He said “RIC is really fun and we do things that I’d never done in my old school like wear my own clothes, drop eggs out of the window in Science to test forces and make a superhero comic on Photoshop in Media. What I’ve enjoyed most about my first year here is all the different subjects I do. I’ve really liked computer coding and designing video game covers and would love to work in the games industry one day.”
Students who have joined RIC at the age of 11 have gone on to win places on courses including Film at Warwick, Politics at Sheffield, History at KCL, Engineering at Leeds, Paramedic Science at UEA and Art at Central St Martins.
The Lower School offers a full academic curriculum but, additionally, an unusually broad range of creative arts subjects including film and media, graphic design, textiles and photography.
Next year’s art week will involve a residential adventure for the whole Lower school to Cornwall where they will be visiting Tate at St Ives, Eden Project, Minack Theatre and the Leach Pottery.
RIC promotes an environment of outstanding academic success and above all doesn’t impose undue pressure and doesn’t foster a gratuitously high-intensity environment. The relaxed, informal atmosphere resulted in me genuinely enjoying the two years I spent in sixth form, ultimately leading to my academic success and a place at LSE to study Law - which I never would have achieved without the help and support of the outstanding tutors at RIC.”