Boarding at RIC

At RIC, students live in one of three boarding communities, each with its own dedicated team of staff who get to know the students in their care. When allocating accommodation, we consider students' ages, individual needs and the most appropriate environment for them to feel comfortable and supported.

Our Northbank campus offers accommodation specifically for students aged 16 and over, welcoming both male and female students, with each student having their own ensuite bedroom. Places at Northbank must be applied for specifically during the admissions process.

Although students belong to their own boarding community, they regularly come together through shared meals, activities, trips and everyday College life, building friendships across the wider boarding community.

Most students have their own study bedroom, providing a comfortable personal space to relax and study. Some bedrooms have ensuite facilities, and all have Wi-Fi. A small number of shared rooms are also available on request. 

Yes. Boarding students enjoy three freshly prepared meals each day, with varied menus reflecting our international community. Vegetarian options are always available, and we can accommodate dietary requirements, including Halal, gluten-free and dairy-free diets, when notified in advance.

Our popular international themed food evenings celebrate the different cultures and cuisines represented within our boarding community, encouraging students to share their traditions and experience new flavours.

Each boarding community also has kitchen facilities where students can prepare their own food if they wish, encouraging independence, developing practical life skills and helping them prepare for university and beyond.

Yes. Some students aged 18 and over can live in nearby off-campus accommodation, offering greater independence while continuing to benefit from College support and catering. This provides a valuable stepping stone towards university life.

A typical day begins at around 7:30am, when students are woken by their Houseparents and get ready for the day ahead. After enjoying breakfast with friends, students make their way to lessons, which begin at 8:45am.

Following the academic day, students have time to relax, socialise, take part in activities or focus on their studies. After dinner, evenings offer a balance of independent study, organised activities and downtime. Our resident tutors and study hubs provide additional academic support, helping students manage their workload and develop effective study habits.

Boarding life at RIC combines the structure and support of a boarding school with the independence of university-style living. Routines and expectations reflect students' ages and individual needs, encouraging them to manage their time responsibly while making the most of their time at College.

Our varied activities programme includes film nights, baking competitions, sports, outdoor adventures, theatre visits and trips to destinations such as London, Brighton, Oxford and Cambridge. Students are encouraged to suggest activities and help shape the programme.  Please see an overview of some of the trips and activities this academic year. 

Yes. We offer flexible full and weekly boarding options. Weekly boarding is particularly popular with families from Kent and London, allowing students to stay during the school week and return home at weekends. Full boarding provides accommodation throughout the term, including weekends, with no compulsory exeat weekends.

Yes. RIC offers boarding throughout the academic year, including half-term and Easter holidays, with no compulsory exeat weekends. Our boarding accommodation only closes during the December winter break and summer holidays, providing continuity and flexibility for students, particularly those whose families live overseas.

During closure periods, students are required to return home or stay with their guardian or another approved adult. We encourage families to plan these arrangements in advance, and our boarding team is available to offer guidance where needed.

At RIC, we encourage students to develop independence while ensuring their safety and wellbeing remain a priority. We use Orah, a digital boarding management system, to help our boarding team monitor students' whereabouts and manage requests to leave campus.

Parents are linked to their child's Orah account and are asked to approve requests when students wish to travel outside the local area or leave campus after dinner. This allows families to remain involved in decisions while giving students opportunities to develop independence responsibly.

Students aged 18 and over do not require parental approval for these arrangements, reflecting their greater independence, although they are still expected to follow College procedures for signing in and out.

This approach helps us balance freedom with appropriate oversight, supporting students as they prepare for university and life beyond RIC.

At RIC, we recognise that phones and other electronic devices are an important part of students' lives, helping them stay connected with family and friends, particularly those living overseas. We encourage responsible technology use and a healthy balance between online activities, studying and socialising.

During the College day, Lower School students keep their phones secured in Yondr pouches, while Sixth Form students are not permitted to use their phones during lessons. All students are required to agree to the College's Acceptable Use Policy, which sets out expectations for safe and responsible technology use.

Boarding students can generally keep their devices in their bedrooms overnight, although boarding Wi-Fi is switched off at night to encourage healthy sleeping habits and support students' wellbeing.

We recognise that students have different needs, and parents can request that their child does not keep electronic devices in their bedroom overnight. Equally, if we feel that device use is having a detrimental effect on a student's sleep, wellbeing, academic progress or social interactions, arrangements can be reviewed in consultation with families. This may include introducing additional boundaries or temporarily removing devices overnight.

Our approach balances independence with appropriate guidance, helping students develop healthy digital habits and manage their technology use responsibly.

Each of our three boarding communities has a dedicated team of Houseparents and boarding staff who provide day-to-day care, guidance and support. Our staff take time to get to know each student as an individual, building positive relationships and creating a welcoming, family-like environment where students feel safe, valued and comfortable asking for help.

Houseparents play an important role in students' everyday lives, helping them establish routines, develop independence, manage friendships and navigate the challenges of living away from home. Whether a student needs practical advice, emotional reassurance or simply someone to talk to, our boarding team is there to support them.

A member of boarding staff sleeps in each building, with support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring students always have someone they can turn to, including overnight.

Our boarding teams work closely with academic Directors of Studies, resident tutors, pastoral and safeguarding staff, and the College's medical team. This joined-up approach ensures that students' academic progress, health and emotional wellbeing are considered together, providing consistent and individualised support throughout their time at RIC.

We recognise that starting boarding school, particularly in a new country, can be both exciting and daunting. Our dedicated Houseparents take time to get to know each student, helping them become familiar with their surroundings, establish routines and feel part of the boarding community.

With approximately half of our boarding students joining RIC for the first time each year, new students are surrounded by others sharing similar experiences. Students are introduced to fellow boarders and encouraged to take part in social activities, trips and shared experiences, helping them build friendships and develop a sense of belonging.

We understand that every child is different, and some may benefit from additional support during this transition. Families are encouraged to share any concerns or individual needs with us before their child arrives, allowing our boarding team to plan appropriate support from the outset.

Our Houseparents also maintain contact with families throughout the first few weeks, sharing updates on how their child is settling in and working together to address any concerns. Our aim is to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported and increasingly confident in their new home.

Student wellbeing is central to boarding life at RIC. We recognise that living away from home, managing academic expectations and navigating friendships and personal challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our dedicated boarding and pastoral teams work closely together to provide a supportive environment where students feel comfortable talking about their feelings, sharing concerns and asking for help.

Our Houseparents build strong relationships with students, allowing them to recognise when someone may be struggling and offer support at an early stage. We also work closely with families, recognising the importance of communication and a joined-up approach to supporting each student's individual needs.

Students have access to the College's dedicated counselling team, providing a confidential and supportive space to explore their thoughts and feelings. Counsellors are also available within the boarding community two evenings each week, making it easier for students to access support outside the academic day.

Where additional or specialist support is needed, we work collaboratively with families and external mental health professionals to ensure students receive appropriate care.

Our approach is centred on knowing each student as an individual, promoting positive mental health and ensuring that no student feels they have to manage difficulties alone.

Our dedicated medical team, led by our qualified nurse, supports students' physical health and wellbeing, providing advice, care and access to further medical services when needed. When students first join RIC, they have an initial health check with the College nurse. As part of this process, international students are registered with a local GP, ensuring they can access NHS healthcare services throughout their time at College.

Alongside local NHS services, we also have access to private healthcare facilities where appropriate, providing additional options for medical consultations, assessments and treatment.

Our Houseparents and boarding staff work closely with the medical team to support students who are unwell, including during evenings, overnight and at weekends. They can help students access appropriate medical attention, provide practical care and reassurance, and liaise with families when needed.

Academic support continues beyond the classroom, with resident tutors playing an active role in boarding life. Through our study hubs and evening academic support, students receive guidance with their studies, develop effective study habits and learn to manage their workload independently, helping them achieve their academic potential.

We understand that moving to a new country involves both practical and emotional adjustments. Our boarding team helps international students settle into life in the UK, from establishing daily routines and becoming familiar with the local area to practical matters such as opening a bank account and joining local sports clubs and community activities.

With students from around the world, our welcoming boarding community provides plenty of opportunities to make friends, share experiences and feel at home. Our Houseparents are always available to offer guidance, reassurance and support as students develop confidence and independence in their new surroundings.

International students are required to have a UK-based guardian. Our admissions team can provide guidance on the College's guardianship requirements and help families understand the arrangements needed before arrival.

Our boarding staff take an active interest in each student's wellbeing, friendships and day-to-day experiences, working closely with academic and pastoral colleagues to ensure they feel happy, supported and settled.

Our diverse wider staff team brings a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences, helping students from around the world feel understood and supported as they adjust to life at RIC.

We recognise the importance of working in partnership with families. Houseparents maintain regular communication, particularly during the first few weeks, sharing updates on how students are settling in and addressing any concerns. Parents are always encouraged to contact the boarding team with questions or for reassurance about their child's wellbeing.

Rochester is conveniently located for London's major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and London City. Families are encouraged to discuss travel arrangements with the College in advance, and we can arrange private taxi transfers to and from the airport upon request. Our boarding team is happy to offer guidance and help ensure students have a smooth and straightforward journey when arriving at or departing from RIC.

Students should bring everyday clothing, toiletries, study equipment and personal belongings to help make their room feel like home. RIC does not have a school uniform, allowing students to dress comfortably and express their individuality. Further practical information, including a packing list is provided before arrival and in the Boarding Handbook.