Rockport School
Rockport School is a co-ed boarding and day school in County, Down and founded in 1906. Boarding fees are £12,486 - £14,958 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 8 - 18
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Rockport
The story, ethos and character of Rockport.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Head
- Mr George Vance
Why Rockport? Location, Location, Location Rockport is located in a stunning estate on the edge of Belfast Lough and with its own shoreline. Not only is this an inspiring and safe to live and work, but it is also conveniently located 10 minutes away from Belfast City Airport (for short flights to London and international connections), and the cultural and educational opportunities of the city of Belfast.
The Mourne Mountains and other Northern Ireland attractions are on the school's doorstep and are used frequently by pupils. Independence Rockport is Northern Ireland's only fully independent school. This allows us to shadow the National Curriculum but not to be constrained by it and class sizes are able to be kept small.
Pupils are able to be prepared for 11+ (Transfer Procedure), 13+ (Common Entrance) and 16+ (GCSE & Sixth Form) entrance to other schools - both independent schools throughout the UK and local Grammar Schools.
However, Rockport pupils are global citizens and are taught to be outward looking and have an understanding of the wider world. To this end, Rockport is a member of Round Square - an association of schools worldwide committed to shared IDEALS (Internationalism; Democracy; Environment; Adventure; Leadership; Service).
Pupils go on exchanges with other schools across the globe, and participate in international conferences and service projects. What the school is known for? Golf Sport A Level GCSE Small class sizes Diverse ability range Affordable fees School history Rockport was founded by Geoffrey Bing, in 1906, as a boys' preparatory school and pupils were made ready for the Common Entrance examination to public schools throughout the United Kingdom.
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Academics at Rockport
What pupils study at Rockport — and where it takes them.
TO GCSE & A-LEVEl Art & Design Business Studies Digital Technology Drama English Language English Literature French Geography History Home Economics (Child Development) Home Economics (Food) Learning for Life & Work Mathematics Additional Mathematics Media Studies Moving Image Arts Music Physics Chemistry Biology Religious Studies Spanish Physical Education Film Studies Sociology English as an additional One to one English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided to all pupils whose second is English and the cost is included in the school fee.
Special educational needs Pupils identified with Sp LD (such as Dyslexia), ESL or needing learning in classwork or GCSE study skills are provided with 1:1 individual tuition in 'The Cottage' with qualified specialist teachers. Cottage staff work closely with teaching and boarding staff, parents and outside agencies, monitoring and reviewing the child's progress with individual pupil profiles.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
University of Edinburgh - Engineering Bristol University - Paramedic Science Queen's University, Belfast - Geography Queen's University, Belfast - Law with Politics UCL, London - Mechanical Engineering Queen's University, Belfast - Psychology London School of Economics - Economics Queens University Belfast - Accountancy, Midwifery, Computer Science, History, Law Ulster University - Screen Production, Cinematic Arts, Marketing Manchester - Law, Nursing, Electrical Engineering Harper Adams - Business Edinburgh - Engineering, Biochemistry Preston - Golf Management Central Lancashire - Professional Policing Salford - Computer Science with Web Development Bath Spa - International Business Management with Economics Newcastle - Medicine London Imperial College - Medicine Colorado State University, USA - Exercise Science University of Glasgow - Computer Science South Dakota State University - Business Economics University of Brighton - Sport
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Rockport
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Rockport.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 1, Boys 1, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- No
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
Boarding is at the heart of Rockport School. Our students reside in our main building and we offer full-time and flexi-boarding to both boys and girls. We are committed to our students having the highest levels of pastoral care and ensuring that their time in boarding is a happy and fulfilling one.
We encourage all our students to respect and care for each other, whatever age, and to be a proud contributor and member of the boarding community. Every year we 'refresh' our House ethos: as the needs and concerns of our students change, so does our Boarding Service.
All of our Boarding students live in the original Rockport mansion house, divided between boys & girls. Boarders have use of all the school's facilities (Sport; Academic; Dining) at all times. Our rooms are warm, well-furnished and students have places to rest, study and play throughout the House.
We have a 'Home Room' for snacks and meals and also a Common Room with sofas and television. There are similar recreational spaces on both the boys and girls corridor. Main Mansion House (Unknown) All our Boarders reside in the main mansion house with separate floors for boys & girls.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Rockport admissions
How children join Rockport, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
Shorter-term stays are welcome (subject to capacity and bed availability for year-group) Special notes to agents about entry to the school Rockport is a selective school - but we do not select on academic grounds alone; if we feel that a child will benefit from being at Rockport we will welcome them.
Application procedure and entrance tests Registration - complete Registration Form & pay appropriate Registration Fee Online English Test - may be completed in Agent's office, current school or British Council office Interview with the Headmaster - in or by Skype Visit where possible Offer of a place Taster day/night in school Acceptance - complete Acceptance Form and pay appropriate deposit English levels required for entry to the school There is no particular standard required - the Online English Test is used purely to determine the level of EAL required for the pupil.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Rockport fees & funding
What Rockport costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Rockport.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Rockport against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Rockport location & travel
Where Rockport is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address 15 Rockport Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0DD, Northern Ireland Airport transfer The school will arrange transfers from Belfast City, Belfast International & Dublin Airports Travel time to London by train N/A Telephone +44 (0)28 9042 8372 Website https://www.
rockportschool. com/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. George Best Belfast City 5 10 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Seahill 1 Local accommodation There are many great hotels and B&Bs located to Rockport.
Rockport — frequently asked questions
Where is Rockport?
How much are Rockport boarding fees?
Is Rockport co-educational?
When was Rockport founded?
Does Rockport require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Rockport?
What qualifications does Rockport offer?
Does Rockport support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Rockport have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Rockport?
Does Rockport have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Rockport?
Does Rockport accept international students?
How much does Rockport cost?
What's included in Rockport's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Rockport?
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