Rochester Independent College Summer School

Each evening our teams hold well-being activities and events designed to build confidence and help students make connections. They’ll develop key team-working and communication skills whilst, most importantly, having fun! This part of the experience ensures students socialise with peers outside their subject groups and builds a sense of community within the college.

Alongside a wide range of traditional team sports, students can choose to participate in other well-being and fun activities such as yoga, art, poetry and creative sessions. Our social programme is led by the College Mentors with students at the very heart of it, who choose and shape the programme’s activities around their interests.

Our social programme offers students the chance to explore some of the most interesting and historic locations the UK has to offer. From the charming town of Rochester to the vibrant city of London and other exciting destinations further afield, students will experience the rich culture and heritage of their surroundings through a variety of excursions and activities.

To encourage independence, students are given free time (with parental consent) in small groups to explore their new environment. Whether they’re discovering local attractions, enjoying outdoor activities, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of their surroundings, they’ll have the opportunity to truly experience life in the UK. Highlights include an art trip to London, where students can immerse themselves in the capital’s world-renowned museums and galleries.

These excursions and activities not only enrich their time at Rochester Independent College but also allow them to create lasting memories of their summer in the UK.

At the conclusion of each two-week course, we proudly celebrate our students’ achievements with a special end-of-study celebration. This event offers a moment of reflection, recognising both personal and academic accomplishments alongside new friends.

During the celebration, students will receive a certificate acknowledging their efforts and successes. Additionally, each student will be provided with a report summarising their achievements during the programme, along with valuable insights and tips to help guide them towards future success.

At SBC, we go beyond the curriculum, believing in learning by doing. Our students are actively encouraged and challenged to utilise new skills in an environment which is nurturing and supportive.

Students have the chance to engage with theoretical principles as well as developing the soft skills required outside the classroom. We put theory into practice by facilitating new opportunities to inherit key skills such as critical thinking, leadership, communication, and teamwork – mirroring what is practised every day in a professional work setting.

We place the student experience at the heart of everything we do, having caring, inspirational tutors with vast subject knowledge and world experience is paramount. We purposefully work with teachers who are not only knowledgeable of their subject but who are highly skilled in bringing the very best out of young people. Teaching is both an art and a science; we go above and beyond to find approachable professionals, with compassion and flair, and whose values align with our own; ensuring a lasting impact that will live long after our students’ final class with us.

The safety and well-being of students is our number one priority. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures in place to which all employees, volunteers, visitors, and contractors are obligated to adhere to.

Each of our sites has a dedicated Social Welfare Manager to ensure that students have the best possible experience during their journey. All staff are given the tools through their extensive training to guarantee that students feel safe, secure, valued, and respected whilst studying with SBC. These friendly and caring staff are always available to provide high-quality pastoral support and remain on call 24 hours per day.

During excursions and local visits, all students with parental consent are allowed free time for up to 2 hours. Students must stay in groups of at least 3, during free-time. Staff will make students aware of the designated meeting place and time, with a designated member of staff who will be given a fixed location so that in the event of needing support, they know where to go.

Students with parental consent can also sign out of the site campus during designated free-time for up to 2 hours.

All students will be given an SBC Gold Card which they must carry with them when offsite. Gold Cards have details of the emergency number to call in the event of a student becoming separated from their group.

Student voice is paramount to the college experience, and we empower our students to shape their own experience by championing that voice. SBC is committed in our response to student feedback and welcome student-led initiatives which help us to continue to provide excellent service.