Awards & Nominations
Awards & Recognition
Different by design. Nationally recognised.
Rochester Independent College has always done things differently. Our distinctive approach to education has been recognised by some of the independent education sector's leading organisations, with national awards and finalist nominations from both the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA).
From excellence in Fine Arts and innovative boarding to SEND, wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability, that recognition reflects the breadth of an RIC education.
Our students are award-winners too, receiving national recognition for academic achievement, creativity and individual endeavour.
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National Recognition
Recognition from the ISA and BSA
🎨 ISA Excellence and Innovation in Fine Arts – National Winner
RIC won the Independent Schools Association Excellence and Innovation in Fine Arts Award in 2021, recognising the strength, ambition and individuality of creative education at the College and selected from the 569 independent schools in the UK.
“The judges were impressed with the huge range of ways in which Rochester Independent College values, promotes and gives profile to the arts and considered the College an inspiration to the whole sector. The link between an aesthetic appreciation of the visual arts and personal development runs through all aspects of school life and is highly valued by the whole school community.”
Creative subjects have never been an add-on at RIC. Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Fashion and Textiles, Digital Media and Ceramics sit alongside traditional academic subjects at the heart of College life.
🏆 BSA Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment – National Winner
In 2025, RIC's purpose-built Northbank campus won the Boarding Schools’ Association Award for Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment.
The award recognised the outstanding design and accessibility of Northbank and the way the development has enhanced RIC's boarding community.
The result is a different kind of boarding environment: contemporary and informal, but with the pastoral care, support and supervision young people need.
🌟 ISA Award for International Provision – 2026 Finalist
RIC has been named a 2026 finalist for the Independent Schools Association Award for International Provision.
🌟 ISA Non-Specialist SEND School of the Year – 2026 Finalist
RIC has been named a 2026 finalist for the Independent Schools Association Non-Specialist SEND School of the Year Award.
The nomination recognises RIC's commitment to inclusive education and an individual approach that enables students with a wide range of learning needs to build confidence, achieve and thrive.
💛 BSA Wellbeing and Mental Health Award – 2026 Finalist
RIC was a 2026 finalist for the Boarding Schools’ Association Wellbeing and Mental Health Award, recognising the College's work supporting student confidence, emotional wellbeing and mental health.
🌈 BSA Belonging and Inclusion Award – 2026 Finalist
RIC was also a 2026 finalist for the BSA Belonging and Inclusion Award, recognising the importance we place on creating a community in which students from different backgrounds, identities and neurodivergences feel welcome and valued.
🌿 ISA Excellence in Sustainability – 2025 Finalist
Our environmental work has also received national recognition, with RIC named a 2025 finalist for the Independent Schools Association Excellence in Sustainability Award.
Together, these ISA and BSA awards and nominations recognise something fundamental about RIC: students don't all learn, create or flourish in the same way – and we don't expect them to.
🎨 Wool4schools/UAL Teacher Award Francesca Baur - 2021 Winner
In 2021 RIC’s Textiles teacher Francesca Baur was recognised through the high quality of entries submitted by her Textiles students. The students entered sustainable designs to the annual WoolMark company, ‘Wool4Schools’ competition, open to young designers in the UK, in partnership with UAL and designer Feng Chen Wang. The theme of the competition this year was ‘Wool on the Go’ that focused on designs fit for an eco-friendly commute made with 70% wool. The students’ development of hand drawn and digital ideas presented the innovative guidance from Fran who won the award for the Junior Teacher category. She is an established textile designer and artist in her own right with a particular interest in sustainability.
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Recognition Across Dukes Education
RIC's distinctive approach has also been recognised across the wider Dukes Education family.
🏆 School of the Year – 2018
Shortly after joining Dukes Education, RIC was named Dukes Education School of the Year.
🌱 Sustainability Award – 2022
RIC received the Dukes Education Sustainability Award, recognising environmental initiatives across the College and our commitment to embedding sustainability into everyday College life.
🏆 Overall Setting of the Year – 2025
RIC took the top honour again in 2025, winning Overall Setting of the Year across the Dukes Education group.
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A Greener RIC
Recognition for putting sustainability into practice
Sustainability at RIC isn't simply something discussed in lessons. Our urban campus in the heart of Rochester provides opportunities for students to engage directly with biodiversity, wildlife and the environment.
Alongside our Dukes Education Sustainability Award and 2025 ISA Excellence in Sustainability finalist recognition, our environmental work has been repeatedly recognised by Kent Wildlife Trust.
🌿 Wilder Kent Awards
2023 – Bronze Award
2024 – Silver Award
2025 – Silver Award
The progression reflects the development of environmental projects across the campus, including habitat creation, wildlife initiatives and increasing student involvement.
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Local Recognition
Proud to be part of Rochester
RIC's roots are firmly in Rochester, with our unusual urban campus bringing new life to historic buildings across the city's conservation area.
🏛️ City of Rochester Society Conservation Award – 2025
RIC received the City of Rochester Society Conservation Award for the restoration and redevelopment of the historic buildings at 209–217 Rochester High Street, now part of our Northbank campus.
The award recognised the sensitive way historic features were retained while creating contemporary spaces for students. The Society described Northbank as “a great example of how to combine a heritage asset with a modern structure.”
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Our Students
Individual talent. National recognition.
RIC students regularly receive awards of their own – for outstanding academic results, creative achievement, leadership and individual endeavour.
🎓 CIFE Awards
RIC students are frequent winners at the annual Council for Independent Education (CIFE) Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement by students at independent sixth-form colleges across the UK.
Presented at a ceremony at the House of Lords in Westminster, the awards recognise exceptional academic achievement, creativity and contribution to college life.
2026
Andrey – CIFE Maths Award
Andrey achieved A*A*A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics and recorded the best point score of any sixth former across all CIFE colleges.
Nadia – CIFE Arts Award / Creative Excellence
Nadia completed A levels in Fine Art, Graphics and Digital Media in just one year, achieving three A* grades.
Jiji – CIFE College Prize
Jiji achieved A*A*A in Psychology, Economics and Mathematics, securing a place at the University of Manchester.
Ollie- Lexden Prize for Value Added
RIC Quiz Team – CIFE Sixth Form Colleges Quiz Champions
RIC's Quiz Team became national CIFE champions, with the winning students enjoying high tea at Parliament.
2025
Vasilisa – CIFE Creative Arts Award
Recognised for her artistic talent and contribution to College life, including establishing RIC's Crochet Club and serving as a student senator.
Esther – CIFE College Award
Recognised following an outstanding two-year A level programme and progression to study Medicine.
Dariya – CIFE GCSE Art Competition Winner
Winner of the national competition for her GCSE artwork Eyes Wide Shut.
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More Student Success
📷 BSA Khadija Saye Photography Award – 2025
Year 12 student Lorenzo won the BSA Khadija Saye Photography Award for his cityscapes portfolio – another significant national creative accolade for an RIC student.
🎨 ISA Art Awards
RIC students regularly receive recognition through Independent Schools Association art competitions, across disciplines including Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles, Film and Digital Media, Photography and Ceramic Design.
🥇 British Physics Olympiad
Previous CIFE College Award winner Suppaset, a Royal Thai Government Scholarship student, also achieved a Top Gold medal in the British Physics Olympiad, placing in the top 7% nationally before progressing to study Physics at Imperial College London.
📸 Dukes Photography Competition
RIC student Ryan won his category in the inaugural Dukes Education Photography Competition.
🧭 Young Leaders and Renaissance Scholars
Lower School students can work towards the Dukes Young Leader Award, recognising community service, entrepreneurship and adventure, while selected RIC students participate in the Dukes Renaissance Scholars programme for advanced academic scholarship.
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And the slightly less serious awards…
We take education seriously. Ourselves? Perhaps a little less so.
🐶 Oscar goes to Brufts
It's not only RIC's students and staff attracting national recognition.
Oscar, RIC's head dog, resident cavapoo and unofficial Head of Student Wellbeing, a 2026 finalist in the BSA “Brufts” People's Choice Award, celebrating the dogs that make boarding communities that little bit happier.
RIC Roll of Honour
A growing record of achievement
2018
🏆 Winner – Dukes Education School of the Year
2021
🎨 Winner – Independent Schools Association Excellence and Innovation in Fine Arts
📷 Winner – Boarding Schools’ Association Khadija Saye Photography Award – Luca
🎨 Winner - Wool4schools/UAL Teacher Award - Francesca Baur
2022
🌱 Winner – Dukes Education Sustainability Award
2023
🌿 Wilder Kent Bronze Award
2024
🏛️ City of Rochester Society Conservation Award – Northbank
🌿 Wilder Kent Silver Award
2025
🏆 Winner – Boarding Schools’ Association Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award – Northbank
🏆 Winner – Dukes Education Overall Setting of the Year
📷 Winner – Boarding Schools’ Association Khadija Saye Photography Award – Lorenzo
🌿 Finalist – Independent Schools Association Excellence in Sustainability Award
🎨 CIFE Creative Arts Award – Vasilisa
🎓 CIFE College Award – Esther
🎨 CIFE GCSE Art Competition Winner – Dariya
🌿 Wilder Kent Silver Award
2026
💛 Finalist – Boarding Schools’ Association Wellbeing and Mental Health Award
🌈 Finalist – Boarding Schools’ Association Belonging and Inclusion Award
🌟 Finalist – Independent Schools Association Award for International Provision
🌟 Finalist – Independent Schools Association Non-Specialist SEND School of the Year Award
➗ CIFE Maths Award – Andrey
🎨 CIFE Arts Award / Creative Excellence – Nadia
🎓 CIFE College Prize – Jiji
🏆 CIFE Sixth Form Colleges Quiz Champions – RIC Quiz Team
🐶 Finalist – BSA Brufts People's Choice Award – Oscar
RIC also currently holds
🏅 School Games Mark – Bronze
And counting…
Awards are lovely to receive, but what matters most is what they represent: talented students, committed teachers, an inclusive community and a College prepared to do things differently.
Independent in spirit. Nationally recognised.