insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 132

EDUCATION KING’S ROCHESTER TOP ACADEMIC RESULTS AND SO MUCH MORE Founded in 604 AD, King’s Rochester is the oldest Cathedral Choir school in the world and the second oldest school. No surprise that it has built on these great historic foundations to become an outstanding 21st-century school for 3 to 18 year old boys and girls. King’s is proudly broad-ability but academic results are impressive at all levels. In 2015, King’s A level pupils netted over 80% A* to C grades with over a third being A* or A and almost two thirds, A* to B. At GCSE, top grades were up again with almost half of all grades being A* and A and just under 70%, A* to B. In Pre-Prep and Prep, 2015 Key Stage 1 and 2 results again exceeded national scores and the latest (2013) inspection report (ISI) deemed Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools “good” or “outstanding” in all areas. At King’s, they recognise that every child is unique with talents and strengths which extend far beyond the classroom. Music plays a central role, and many concerts are staged in Rochester Cathedral – the School Chapel. The Cathedral Choristers have recorded for BBC radio and television, performed on London’s South Bank and taken part in many, more local festivals in addition to singing at the daily Cathedral services. They recently performed with the James Taylor Quartet at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the first time a Choir has ever appeared at this legendary venue. The outstanding musical abilities of the pupils cross all musical disciplines from Choral Music to Strings, Piano to Percussion and Opera to Jazz and, this year, Kieran Lamb earned a place, with his 3 A* grades, to read Music at Magdalen College, Oxford. King’s Rochester Sports Centre provides firstrate sports facilities for local residents as well as for King’s pupils with seven outdoor (Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) approved) tennis courts, five netball courts, a large multi–purpose Sports Hall, fitness gym and physio suite. Together with a boathouse on the Medway for rowing, King’s 132 pupils also have a heated, indoor pool on site and access to first-class rugby and hockey pitches at nearby Holcombe. Easily accessible from Kent and South East London and only 30 minutes by train from Bromley South and Central London, King’s has now added a new Blackheath route to its already extensive bus network. King’s enjoys a beautiful, safe location in the heart of Rochester. To find out more about the School, a great place to start is their Open Day on Saturday 27th February 2016 from 9.15am to 12.00pm. No booking is required but for further information, please contact Registrar, Lynne Davies on 01634 888590 or email [email protected]. www.kings-rochester.co.uk