Rochester Independent College Summer School
Ages 13 -17
Building on the College’s reputation for both academic excellence and creativity, we are excited to offer our popular 2-week Art & Design course. This is best for creatively-minded students seeking a British boarding school environment.
Focusing on individuality, diversity and flexibility, Rochester Independent College offers the opportunity to explore a range of creative projects within art, film and fashion, and to develop their English language skills. The urban campus has an award-winning wildlife garden at its heart, providing a university-like campus experience.
At Rochester Independent College, the focus is on individuality, diversity and flexibility; values we’ve woven into our course. We are looking forward to welcoming young people from all over the world to Rochester, to develop their passions and have a taste of life at a British boarding school.
Rochester Independent College (RIC) and SBC are both part of the Dukes Education family of schools. Rochester Independent College is delivered as a collaboration between SBC and RIC. Take a virtual tour of the Rochester Independent College campus here.
Discover a unique independent school that celebrates individuality and inspires artistic expression. Experience the local history of Charles Dickens whilst living and studying a short train ride from London. See what it is about Rochester that makes it a perfect place to study art this summer.
Discover more about what a typical two-weeks at Rochester Independent College summer school course looks like for our students. Please note our sample timetable is given as an example and can be subject to change.
Rochester Independent College gives students the unique opportunity to live and study in the charming historical town of Rochester. With a high street filled with personality, students can explore antique shops, book stores, and independent boutiques. If you have a passion for history and culture, then students will enjoy everything about Rochester and its location.
Rochester Independent school is made up of Victorian townhouses that surround a tranquil garden that students will love to make their summer camp home.
When students aren’t filled with wonder at the many charismatic surprises hidden away behind the school’s gates, then there is everything on campus to help young artists feel inspired, relax and make new friends.
After art classes, students can enjoy taking part in sports activities. Rochester Independent College has a compact sports court perfect for basketball and five-a-side football, as well as having a small modern gym.
In the common rooms of the accommodation, students can relax, play pool, games and play music, creating a vibrant community feel. At Rochester Independent College, young artists will find the perfect setting to meet like-minded students, further discover their artistic flair, and to even forget the passing of time, such is the impact of this wonderful school.
At SBC we believe that the best form of learning is by doing. In a friendly and encouraging environment, our students are guided and challenged to develop new artistic abilities.
By creating fresh opportunities for important abilities like critical thinking, leadership, communication, and teamwork – students can connect with artistic concepts whilst acquiring the 21st century skills needed outside of the classroom to develop as young artists.
The student experience is at the centre of all we do, so having compassionate, motivating tutors who are knowledgeable in their fields and have global experience is crucial. We specifically look for tutors who are effective at getting the best performance out of students, in addition to being subject matter experts in their field. Teaching is both an art and a science, so we go above and beyond to identify experts who are friendly, talented and share our beliefs, in order to create an impact that will continue long after our students have taken their last session with us.
Students gather at the end of each week to join in Time to Shine, a group presentation they give to their peers during the Rochester Students’ Art Festival. The culmination of the week’s work, these projects can involve a guided exhibition through their week’s art pieces, or a presentation about a particular artist or movement from art history. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young artists to demonstrate their knowledge and artistic flair.
By practising their collaboration and public speaking skills in front of a wider audience, our students receive invaluable experience.
This engaging and challenging course develops the students’ knowledge of English and confidence in using it through creative lessons, which…
Our Art & Design course allows students explore a range of creative projects including art, film, fashion and environmentalism. This…
At Rochester Independent College our student experience goes beyond the classroom, with a social programme led by our dynamic team. Our activities and excursions will help our students make new friends from other countries, build self-confidence and build memories to last!
Every day after class, our College Mentors deliver an exciting range of well-being activities and events. Students will have every chance to build key team-working and communication skills whilst, most importantly, having an amazing time! This part of the experience helps ensure that students socialise with others outside of their classes and build a sense of community throughout the programme.
As well as a wide range of traditional team sports, our artists can choose to take part in other well-being and fun activities such as yoga, poetry and arts & crafts . Led by our outgoing and compassionate College Mentors, everything about SBC’s wellbeing programme has students at the very heart of it. Everything is chosen and shaped around the interests of the students. With the centre of Rochester on their doorstep, our social programme explores much of what the historic town of Rochester has to offer, including informative walking tours by the river Medway and the stunning Norman castle, as well as trips to local shopping malls and the Pirate Cove Adventure in nearby Chatham.
To help ensure that students develop their growing independence, they are provided with free time in small groups (parental permission permitting), in which they can explore their new surroundings, including The UK’s largest second-hand bookstore on Rochester’s high street.
Art & Design students will have two-day trips to enjoy, including a sightseeing-filled trip to London, which is approximately an hour away by train or coach.
Our expert social programme team designs unforgettable visits to London for all of our students to look forward to. This year students will enjoy a range of activities to suit any interest, including a sightseeing walking tour, the British Museum and the National Gallery! Plus many more. In previous years, itineraries have included Kew gardens, guided tours of London and visiting the museums of Greenwich and Knightsbridge. Every London itinerary comes with free time to explore and browse the stores of some of Britain’s most iconic brands. Visits to art galleries and exhibitions are also part of our Art & Design excursion programme.
Other excursions include a visit to the historic city of Canterbury where students will get a guided tour of the famous cathedral, chance to explore the city in their own time and in the afternoon they’ll be treated to an afternoon guided river tour!
We’re proud to celebrate our students’ achievements with a fun celebration ceremony and disco thrown beneath fairy lights in Rochester’s beautiful garden. At the end of each two week course the celebration provides a moment of reflection to recognise achievements, both personal and academic, alongside new friends.
A certificate will be presented to students during the party. We’ll also provide a report outlining all accomplishments while studying with us, along with helpful tips to guide learners in the right direction towards future success.
To guarantee that students have the greatest experience possible while attending Rochester Independent College, our college site is staffed by devoted and skilled College Mentors and a Social Welfare Manager. Through their thorough training, our staff are equipped to ensure that all students can feel safe, secure, appreciated and respected while learning with SBC. These kind and considerate staff members are always available to offer excellent pastoral care and are available around-the-clock.
Student voice is crucial to the college experience, and by supporting that voice, we provide our students the power to have a say in their own learning.
During their stay, students are housed in comfortable and secure accommodation on-site.
Our top priority is the students’ safety and well-being. All workers, volunteers, guests, and contractors are required to abide by our extensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures.
All of our students will live on-site at Rochester Independent College in comfortable accommodation with single study bedrooms with wifi and common room access. Some rooms come fully equipped with ensuite bathrooms and others are shared between a small number of students.
Rochester Independent College’s boarding is all on-campus, and as such students do not have to travel far between teaching buildings and their residences. The accommodation is located in Victorian town houses, which surround the campus grounds. Each house is under constant supervision and staff are available 24/7 should students need any additional support.
| Start Date | End Date | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 9th July 2023 | Saturday 22nd July 2023 | 2 Weeks | £3,200 |
| Sunday 23rd July 2023 | Saturday 5th August 2023 | 2 Weeks | £3,200 |
See our campus sample timetable here.
*Earlscliffe fee includes return transfers to/from London Heathrow and London Gatwick for flights/trains scheduled to arrive/depart between 9am-3pm on published arrival and departure day.
For other locations, we provide all our students with the option of using our Shared Transfer Service from/to London Heathrow Airport and St. Pancras International. The fees are:
| Campus | Single (one-way) | Return |
|---|---|---|
| SBC at Twyford School | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| SBC Canford | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| Headington | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| Eton | £75.00 | £150.00 |
| Oxford College | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| Cambridge College | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| Rochester (RIC) | £120.00 | £240.00 |
| Earlscliffe | Included in fees* | Included in fees* |
When a student arrives, an SBC staff member wearing a bright yellow t-shirt will be waiting to greet her/him and accompany them to our Welcome Club. At our Airport Welcome Club, she/he will have the chance to meet other students arriving, have some light refreshments and relax. After a little rest, students will be accompanied by students and SBC staff to board the coach and be taken directly to the school in a private coach.
The Shared Transfer Service can be used by students using the following flight and train times:
Flight lands on arrival day: 06:00-17:00
Flight take-off time on departure day: 08:00-18:00
The times outlined above also apply to students arriving and departing from Kings Cross St. Pancras train station.
If you book a flight outside of these times or to/from another UK airport, we can look at sending a staff member in a taxi to collect or drop off your child, but it will cost more than the Shared Transfer Service. Quotes are available upon request.
If you book a train or flight outside of these times or from another London airport, please contact your Admissions Manager for a private taxi quote. Please note this will cost more than our Shared Transfer Service from Heathrow, Kings Cross St. Pancras (& Gatwick for Earlscliffe students)
Important:
Flights must be booked on the arrival and departure dates so that all students can arrive and depart the course at the correct times.
In order to submit your booking for Rochester Independent College, click on the ‘make a booking’ tab in the right-hand corner of our home page and fill out our ‘Make a Booking’ form.
Your dedicated Admissions Manager will then contact you via your preferred method of contact to confirm any outstanding details. This will be the perfect opportunity to ask any questions before a deposit is paid. Once your details are confirmed, you will be sent a booking confirmation email, which serves as formal confirmation of your child’s place.
Your Admissions Manager sends a booking confirmation containing an invoice and the Flywire payment link.
The fee includes all accommodation, meals*, lessons, academic materials, general sports, social activities and events, all standard excursions including admission costs, Wi-Fi, weekly laundry services, graduation certificate, academic progress report and travel insurance.
*We will endeavour to meet all dietary requirements, e.g. vegetarian, vegan, Halal etc.
The academic programme is taught at Rochester Independent College. Our Art and Design course takes place in the college’s classroom facilities which are centrally located on campus.
At Rochester Independent College you’ll stay on campus, in a single rooms, some of which have modern ensuite facilities. Boarding at Rochester Independent College combines the informality of a university hall of residence with the supervision and pastoral support appropriate for older teenagers. The emphasis is on providing a comfortable, happy and fun environment.
You have a right to cancel your booking within 14 days from the date of the Confirmation (the “Cancellation Period”) without giving any reason.
All cancellations must be made in writing and take effect from the date we receive such notice. Where a cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to the Arrival Date, there will be a refund of all Course Fees paid, minus the Deposit.
The quickest and easiest way to find out whether you need a Visa is to check via this link here.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. This applies now, after Brexit.
For those that do require a Visa, the application that you will need to apply for is the Standard Visitor Visa.
It is important to note that, depending on the country, applications can take around 20 working days (or 3-4 weeks) to process. You are advised to begin the application process as early as possible. Once the Visa is obtained, we will need to receive a scanned copy of the student’s passport and the Visa by e-mail. SBC International reserve the right to cancel a booking, if a copy of the Visa has not been received 4 weeks before the course arrival date.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact your local embassy who should be able to offer you the correct support and guidance.
Yes, if you would like to make any amendments to your booking then you can do so by contacting your Admissions Manager.
At the end of the program all students receive a certificate of attendance from their College Principal at their graduation ceremony.
At Rochester the minimum level of English language required is intermediate (B1+) or above.
Before the summer, we send an online test for students to complete. We will use the results to confirm their suitability for the course. In the case that a student does not meet the required level on the test, we will conduct an academic consultation to assess the next best step.
We have ahigh ratio of staff to students throughout the summer. At each Campus, we have a Social Welfare Manager, who oversees the welfare and safety of the students and would deal with any pastoral issues.
Alongside these members of staff, all employees are trained before the summer in Child Safeguarding and each site has designated First Aiders. There will also be a dedicated Admissions Manager for each Campus, who will be the main point of contact for families with any issues or concerns.
We pride ourselves on offering the best possible care to students, so our friendly and supportive staff team are available 24 hours per day.
I don’t believe in life-changing experiences, but this summer school is probably as close as it gets to that. Dima came back a more confident and sociable kid with even more drive to learn English than he was before Rochester. He also can’t stop talking about all the friends he made and the fun he had.
In partnership with RIC
In partnership with RIC
Join a global community of aspiring artists and express your art this summer. Complete the enquiry form below and our helpful admissions team will be in touch.
