Martina from Italy, switched from the IB Diploma at another independent school to A level at RIC and has won a place at UCL to read Physics. She says: “Rochester gave me hope and faith in myself. My personal tutor was great. The classes here are really supportive. You can always achieve your dreams, you just have to redefine your path, not your plan.”
Kate
Kate from Russia had disappointing AS results at her previous college, switched, picked up a new subject and celebrated A*A*B in English Lit, Psychology and Biology. Having reached the regionals of the Schools’ Mace Debating Competition. Kate was one of a trio of students representing RIC at Tonbridge School. Kate will study Psychology at Leicester University.
Freddy
Freddy switched from Christ’s Hospital to year 13 at RIC, secured three grade As in History of Art, Philosophy and Photography and landed a place at The Courtauld Institute of Art, amongst the most prestigious specialist colleges for History of Art in the world. Freddy was a welcoming presence as gallery assistant at our end of year student art showcase at Pie Factory in Margate.
Jack
Jack joined from Maidstone Grammar School as a boarder and achieved AAA in Maths, Computing and Physics. Jack took drone footage of “I Love RIC” cut into the crops with his combine harvester on his parents’ farm. Jack says: “RIC has been such an incredible experience because of the way it values students and community.”Jack will study Computer Science at Nottingham University.
Andy
Andy from Beijing, China said: “RIC gives me more freedom to study art, and gives me a safe and free environment to think philosophical questions and explore my own mind. It is a good place for students who want to be artists.” After achieving A*AB in Textiles, Fine Art and Digital Media Andy is off to study Fine Art at Goldsmiths, whose alumni include Damian Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Steve McQueen.
Alec
Alec joined RIC from India for a one year GCSE course followed by two year A levels. Alumni of Skidmore College in the US where Alec will study Psychology include Jason Reitman, director of Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Juno. Skidmore is a liberal arts college often considered a “Hidden Ivy.” Like RIC, these institutions boast smaller class sizes and are known for their vibrant, inclusive communities.
maia
Retaking A levels can involve a change of direction. Maia from Colfe’s School originally joined RIC as a boarder to retake A levels for Medicine but swiftly decided to switch, opting for one-year courses in Fine Art and English Literature and winning a place at UCL’s Slade School of Fine Art.
Mahinden
What gives Rochester’s A level retake students the competitive edge is that they often add new subjects as one year intensive courses alongside resits. Mahinden from Maidstone Grammar retook two subjects and added Sociology, gaining AAA. He says: "My RIC journey has been amazing, my dream of studying Medicine at Sheffield is now a reality."
Sean
Sean from Malaysia took a one-year intensive A level course after studying at SMK King George V, one of the premier schools in Malaysia. He achieved four A* grades in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths and has a place at University College, Cork Medical School where the first recorded lessons in Anatomy, Physiology and Surgery date back to 1828.
Will
In 2023 one of our top performers, Will from QE Grammar in Faversham, secured A*A*A* in History, History of Art and Classical Civilisation on a one year course and won a place to study English at Cambridge University.