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King’s School is a private day school in Rochester, Kent for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, with boarding available for children aged 11 and above. The school is the second oldest in the world, with foundations dating back to 604 AD, and is located in the historic Cathedral precinct and the shadow of Rochester’s Norman castle.
The school embraces its heritage while maintaining a forward-looking vision for 21st century education. Children learn in interactive classrooms and develop study skills in innovative learning spaces, deep within historic buildings. A new strategic vision was implemented in 2020 to ensure the school remains consistently excellent, with aims including increased sustainability, a commitment to community and maintaining contact with pupils after they leave the school.
An extensive co-curricular programme at King’s School gives pupils the opportunity to develop new ideas and hobbies, with activities in sport, art and design, music, drama and outdoor pursuits. The ancient Chapel at Rochester Cathedral forms an awe-inspiring backdrop to the school’s annual calendar of musical and choral events.
Directory of private schools in Kent
Key information for King's Rochester
Head: Mr Benjamin Charles
Address: King’s School, Satis House, Boley Hill, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1TE
County: Kent
Admissions contact: Sue Webb – [email protected], 01634 888590
Age range and gender: 3–18, co-educational
Number of pupils: 638
Open day date: 24th January 2023 and 13th May 2023. Book a place via the school website
Overview of selection procedure: Assessment, interview and school reference
Registration closes: TBC
Assessment date: November or March in Year 6
King's Rochester fees and financial assistance
The current fees at King’s Rochester are £5,550 per term for day pupils in Years 7 and 8, and £7,175 per term for pupils in Year 9 and above. Lunch is incorporated in the fees for younger pupils but is charged termly for pupils in Years 9 to 13 (£300–£410 per term). The fees for boarding are £8,175 per term for Years 7–8 and £11,775 for Year 9 and above.
King’s Rochester offers means-tested financial support, known as bursaries, to children who are awarded a scholarship but whose families would not otherwise be able to afford the fees. Bursary awards are based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam and on an annual declaration of the family’s income and assets. In exceptional circumstances, the school may consider means-tested financial support for new pupils who do not fit the scholarship criteria.
Everything you need to know about bursaries
The following scholarships are available for 11+ entry to King’s Rochester. These are not means-tested but awarded based on the pupil’s talent in a particular area.
Academic scholarships: 30% fee remission
Art scholarships: 15–30% fee remission
Drama scholarships: 15–30% fee remission
Music scholarships: 15–30% fee remission and free tuition on two instruments
Sports scholarships: 15–30% fee remission
King’s Rochester also provides fee remission for the following eligible pupils:
Clergy remission: means-tested discounted fees for the children of Church of England Ministers and priests of a church in communion with the Church of England
Service personnel remission: means-tested discounted day places for the children of service personnel, and discounted fees for boarding places within the MoD scheme of Continuity of Education Allowance
Sibling remission: 10% fee reduction for the third child, 20% for the fourth child and 40% for the fifth and subsequent children enrolled at the same time
King's Rochester term dates
The term dates at King's School Rochester for 2022–23 are:
Autumn term (Michaelmas): 5th September – 16th December 2022
Half term: 24th October – 4th November 2022
Spring term (Lent): 10th January – 31st March 2023
Half term: 13th–17th February 2023
Summer term (Midsummer): 24th April – 8th July 2023
Half term: 29th May – 2nd June 2023
The term dates at King's School Rochester for 2023–24 are:
Autumn term (Michaelmas): 4th September – 15th December 2023
Half term: 23rd October – 3rd November 2023
Spring term (Lent): 9th January – 22nd March 2024
Half term: 12th–16th February 2024
Summer term (Midsummer): 16th April – 6th July 2024
Half term: 27th–31st May 2024
How to apply for 11 plus entry to King’s School, Rochester
In Year 7, children are based within the prep school but are taught by senior school teachers in senior school classrooms. This arrangement provides a smooth transitional period, allowing children to get used to more sophisticated methods of learning while growing in confidence in the top years of the prep school.
1. Visit
If you are interested in finding out more about King’s School Rochester, it’s best to visit the school before starting the application process to see if it’s a good fit for your child. Private tours can be arranged during term time via the admissions office, or you can attend an open event to meet pupils and talk to staff.
The 2023 open events for entry in 2024 and beyond are:
Year 7 open morning: Tuesday 24th January 2023
Whole school open morning: Saturday 13th May 2023
2. Registration
Once you have decided to proceed with your child’s application to King’s Rochester, you will need to complete a registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £100.
After your child’s registration form has been received, the admissions team will be in touch to request consent to approach your child’s current school for a reference.
3. Test and interview
All children who have been registered for 11 plus entry to King’s Rochester will be invited to a test and an interview with the head in November in Year 6. A second opportunity for late applicants or for exam clashes will take place in March.
Your child will take three exams which are designed to indicate academic potential:
English: children will have either a reading comprehension task, a creative writing task, or a combination of the two. Your child will be assessed on their ability to write in fluent and accurate English, with examiners looking for examples of good vocabulary and accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Maths: a non-calculator paper with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum up to the end of Year 5. Find out more in our guide to 11 plus maths.
Non-verbal reasoning: your child will be tested on their ability to analyse visual information and solve problems using shapes, pictures and diagrams. Take a look at example questions in our guide to 11 plus non-verbal reasoning.
4. Scholarships
King’s Rochester is able to offer scholarships in a range of subjects to pupils applying for Year 7 entry. All interested applicants are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the head of the relevant department before making an application (this can be arranged via the admissions office).
The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is normally in December of Year 6. After you have submitted the relevant application form, your child will be invited to a scholarship assessment:
Academic scholarships: children will sit the King’s Exhibition Assessment, which consists of papers in English comprehension, creative writing, maths and logic. Candidates will also need to have achieved a mean average of 125 or above in the ISEB Pre-Test and will have an interview with the head and deputy head of the prep school.
Art scholarships: children will need to submit a portfolio of work and a short personal written statement. The assessment will consist of a sustained observational drawing exercise and an interview based on the portfolio and personal statement.
Drama scholarships: children will need to submit a performing arts CV, after which shortlisted candidates will be invited to an audition in late January. Applicants will be expected to perform two monologues of their choice, have an informal interview with the head of drama about their work, interests and experiences, and perform with other potential scholars and current pupils in a workshop environment.
Music scholarships: candidates should be of Grade 4 standard or above on an orchestral instrument or voice, and offer a second instrument. Invitations to audition will be sent to shortlisted candidates; they will perform two contrasting pieces of their own choice on their principal instrument (or voice), play one piece on their second instrument, and perform aural/general musicianship, scales/arpeggios, and sight-reading/sight-singing tests.
Sports scholarships: as a guide, candidates should be playing at least County level (or equivalent) in at least one of King’s Rochester’s core sports (cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, or swimming), and be able to participate in others. Applications will be reviewed based on a portfolio of sporting achievements, after which shortlisted candidates will be invited to a practical assessment in late January. The director of sport may also attend the child’s club fixture to see them in action.
5. Offers
The head will make formal offers of places to King’s Rochester following the entrance tests and interview. If your child receives the offer of a place, you will need to return an acceptance form and pay an acceptance deposit (currently £500). This deposit will be refunded when your child leaves the school.
If the school needs to decide between two or more candidates who meet all the admission requirements, preference may be given to:
A child who already has a sibling in the school
A child who can demonstrate a particular skill, talent or aptitude
A child whose parent is a current member of King’s Rochester staff
A child whose parent is a former pupil at the school.
How to prepare for 11 plus entry to King's School, Rochester
If your child is applying to King’s School Rochester for entry into Year 7, they will take written tests in English, maths and non-verbal reasoning in Year 6.
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