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Original poster

Plymouth College v Mount Kelly

39 replies

thirteenplusyears · 21/01/2015 13:19

Hello,

This is my first post here and am hoping someone can help. We are looking at both of these schools and wondered if anyone local or involved with these schools in some way can give us feedback please? We are moving to the area and looking to start for Sept. 2015. Thanks very much!

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cressetmama · 03/09/2016 14:32

Ceece2016, you may be better off starting a new thread in primary to give yourself the best chance of responses. I don't think there would be much crossover of knowledge from previous participants in this thread for your specific question.

Ceece2016 · 30/08/2016 17:41

Hi, we have recently moved to stonehouse, Plymouth. Has anyone any thoughts about St Georges, Pilgrim, Stuart rd or Plymouth college primaries please? Thanks

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 06/05/2015 21:18

No problem indridcold the report was a good read and certainly more promising than the last one. I do feel the school is heading in a positive direction.

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IndridCold · 06/05/2015 20:06

Apologies OP, my comment about the report was directed towards MKP. The business of the restructuring and the merger has been very unsettling for people who know the schools, especially those with children still there. The positive report in these circumstances must be a relief.

I hope you manage to resolve your dilemma over the best school for your DCs, and that you all enjoy your life in Devon!

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 06/05/2015 15:36

Thank you Patchie, we thought it was all set for Kelly but one of my children is dragging their feet a bit - one liked it and the other felt the pupils in their year group weren't very friendly and it just didn't feel right for them.

I was hoping they would both really like it as the area is the most accessible for us and it would have made things easy. We also liked the new head.

We haven't yet met the head of PC but now have an appointment to meet him. The schools are so different so it's very difficult.

I have read the new report for MK but I personally don't place too much weight on inspection reports although they can be useful as a starting point.

Usually I can easily make decisions on my instincts but this one has me a bit stumped, especially as we were set on MK after our visit, but I feel uneasy about what DC has said about the children in the year group.

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IndridCold · 05/05/2015 18:13

Really pleased to hear that Mount Kelly has just had such a good inspection report. Good news!

Patchie · 05/05/2015 13:17

Both of my children attended Plymouth College and I cannot recommend it enough!
One of them was very sporty and the other not so much, but with one of the strengths of the school being the encouragement of team work and bringing on self-confidence in each child the latter child soon began to thrive both in and out of the sporting arena. There are loads of extra curricular activities which the children are encouraged to partake in and which cater to all tastes.
Admittedly, being an inner city school, it can not compete with the beauty of the setting of Kelly but it has always seemed to achieve better results both academically and sport-wise.
Obviously I am biased but I do know of parents (some living in the Yelverton/Crapstone areas) who visited both schools and after much deliberation decided to send their children to Plym Coll and do not regret their decisions.
At the end of the day all children are different and this must be taken into account, but all I can say is that with two very different children they both thrived at Plym Coll; their experiences at the school set them in good stead for their futures and we are so pleased that we sent them there. The whole family has very happy memories of their years there; indeed, I was heartbroken when the time came for my youngest to leave because the school had become a real 'friend' and a huge part of our lives.

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 23/03/2015 17:58

Yes, we will be moving during the summer for a September start, thanks!

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mountkellyparent · 23/03/2015 16:09

Wonderful news, will they be starting in September? I am glad your questions were answered. We are also impressed with the new head and the deputy. Good luck!!

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 23/03/2015 15:36

Hi MKP,
Sorry it has taken so long to reply! They have indeed been for a taster day - one DC liked it more than the other but overall they were both happy with it. We were very impressed with the new head and he answered all our questions very well. I'm very pleased we went and it seems the best choice for us.

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mountkellyparent · 16/03/2015 20:43

Thirteenplusyears, how did you get on, have you been for a taster day yet?

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 28/01/2015 12:14

Thanks jimjams and mountkellyparent... yes that is the plan taster day at Mount Kelly next. It is a shame that girls seem to grow up so fast these days... the issues as well seem to happen so much younger now with girls - or maybe I'm just not remembering properly what it was like at that age! Smile

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mountkellyparent · 27/01/2015 21:03

Yes, I would go on a taster day, but like you say it is hard to get a feel for a school in one day! I love my girls in the kilts, they look younger and more innocent! Plenty of time to wear short skirts after school!
I believe that the bullying was not dealt with well by PC, my friends has actually withdrawn her son. We all have different experiences though!
Let us know how your daughter gets on at the taster day x

saintlyjimjams · 27/01/2015 08:25

Snap!

Being in the city does make things easier with teens.

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 27/01/2015 07:33

Yes I have three! Two teens and one tween Smile

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saintlyjimjams · 26/01/2015 23:26

Yup - and you sound as if you have multiple children like me Grin

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 26/01/2015 23:19

I guess we really have to go to taster day at
MK to get a better idea of what it's like although taster days probably aren't a real indication of what a school is really like on a day to day basis. Shame to hear about your friend's son mountkellyparent. I think all schools will have issues but what is important is how the school handles it. Do you know anything regarding this?

I guess the kilts at least keep them warm and you can't really shorten them... You should see how short some of the skirts at DC's current school are! Although personally I can understand at first glance how most teen girls would not like the uniform.

Saintlyjimjams yes I agree. I don't mind a bit of driving but going 30 minutes one way for clubs etc on a regular basis can get a bit much... Especially on cold dark nights.

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saintlyjimjams · 26/01/2015 22:55

The reduced driving is definitely an advantage of living centrally. DS2 can (if he can be bothered) get himself pretty much around the city independently if need be. It's very easy for him to meet friends, go into town, cinema, theatre etc. And he gets himself to and from school.

mountkellyparent · 26/01/2015 22:39

Ok, slightly biased here, but I have children in both the prep and college at mount kelly. Both have boarded/ been day pupils and it is a fantastic school, very nurturing and they get the results out of the children, great results considering it is a non selective school. Boarding was great too. It's funny, the girls seem to moan about the uniform, but will not have anyone slating it! They do get used to the kilts and they look very smart.
I have a friend who's son goes to PC and she has had nothing but problems, bulling in and outside of school, even on public transport, but that may be a one off case. The new head at MC is certainly doing great things in the short period he has been there and numbers seem to be going in the right direction, which says a lot to me. Good luck!!

IndridCold · 24/01/2015 18:10

As the parent of teenage children in this area I can confirm that there will be a LOT of driving around for visits/parties/seeing friends etc. it is only for a relatively short time, and most people just get on with it, but you should definitely include it as quite a major factor in your decision about where to live.

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 24/01/2015 16:21

Yes, DH definitely set on Dartmoor but I (the one who has to chauffeur children around!) am more set on a central location!

I also like the idea of being close to beaches but that seems a more difficult drive in so we don't need to live there just be close enough for a day out - which I guess is very doable anywhere around that area.

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Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 24/01/2015 16:18

Good to know about the pubs! Smile It seems like we like similar areas. I just need to look around a bit more now. We are thinking of renting just to be sure before buying but again not many rentals so whatever is available may dictate location at least to start with.

Every school we have looked at seems to be in the process of changing heads... wonder what is going on! We thought a year on we would have a better idea of situation at Kelly but can't really tell what is going on except that the website has been updated. I think big changes take time and unfortunately we don't have time. Who knows how PC will change as well with a new head coming in.

Also, it's very, very silly but DD really did not like the uniform at Kelly (although decision will of course not be based on that!) Smile

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saintlyjimjams · 24/01/2015 16:10

It's not long out to Dartmoor (or beaches) though. I quite like living centrally as we can head in one direction & get onto the moors, and another and get onto beaches.

Original poster
thirteenplusyears · 24/01/2015 16:06

Hi I'll check out Stoke Village next time I'm down there... I have to admit I've found city centre driving difficult but I'm sure I'll get used to it once I know the roads/area.

I know what you mean about city/dartmoor. City would mean school and activities on doorstep but darmoor means fresh air, space and I imagine a slower and safer way of life.

We live in a very nice village now walking distance to everything including schools so tough one! Smile

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saintlyjimjams · 24/01/2015 16:02

We're very happy with DHSB, although the head is changing in September - new head not appointed yet. They don't have many spaces come up.

Buckland's a lot bigger than clearbrook & you're not quite straight out onto the moor. You are at capstone - but no pub & the pubs in Buckland & clearbrook are both good!