Mount Kelly School

TwinklyShark · 2025-07-24T14:30:50+00:00

We are re-locating to north Cornwall, West Devon next summer. What are peoples thoughts on Mount Kelly in terms of swimming and academics. What is the pastoral and SEN support like?

Widecombe79 · 24/07/2025 21:01

@TwinklyShark there's a thread on Mount Kelly from 12 months ago which you should probably read if not already done so.
I'm based in W Devon and have teen DS in boarding school in Dorset. I have no first hand experience of MK, but my DS have a number of school friends locally who went to the MK prep (formerly Mount House). Others living in N Cornwall also drive past MK and through all of Devon into Dorset. I ask myself why they would drive a round trip of four hours plus, rather than use the senior school at MK (formerly Kelly College), if that were of the same calibre as the prep?

Blimeyblighty · 25/07/2025 07:34

The swimming is good.

itsgettingweird · 25/07/2025 07:39

They produce amazing swimmers. Currently up here at Aquatics gb champs and they all look happy and are performing well.

Don’t have any insight into the actual experience as our swimmers that go to swim boarding from here (Hampshire) go to Millfield.

Worth looking at both?

greglet · 25/07/2025 08:29

Great for swimming but the academics are poor.

Original poster

TwinklyShark · 25/07/2025 08:44

Widecombe79 · 24/07/2025 21:01

@TwinklyShark there's a thread on Mount Kelly from 12 months ago which you should probably read if not already done so.
I'm based in W Devon and have teen DS in boarding school in Dorset. I have no first hand experience of MK, but my DS have a number of school friends locally who went to the MK prep (formerly Mount House). Others living in N Cornwall also drive past MK and through all of Devon into Dorset. I ask myself why they would drive a round trip of four hours plus, rather than use the senior school at MK (formerly Kelly College), if that were of the same calibre as the prep?

I wanted a more upto date one, I've read through that and more and can see the recurring posts from a few people.

OP posts:

Original poster

TwinklyShark · 25/07/2025 08:45

itsgettingweird · 25/07/2025 07:39

They produce amazing swimmers. Currently up here at Aquatics gb champs and they all look happy and are performing well.

Don’t have any insight into the actual experience as our swimmers that go to swim boarding from here (Hampshire) go to Millfield.

Worth looking at both?

Thank you

We are looking at North Cornwall and our children will be day students so Millfield is a bit far.

OP posts:

Original poster

TwinklyShark · 25/07/2025 08:46

greglet · 25/07/2025 08:29

Great for swimming but the academics are poor.

That maybe because they are a non selective school ?

This is why i'm hoping some parents from this years intake see this post. 👍

OP posts:

greglet · 25/07/2025 10:57

@TwinklySharkYes that’s definitely a factor, but the results don’t suggest that the more able are particularly stretched.

bathbath25 · 03/10/2025 17:59

@TwinklyShark Did your children join Mount Kelly ? I have a 14 year old who is a swimmer and another aged 11 who is academic. Looking to maybe join in January. Any current parents that can give me the pros and cons.

SwimParent · 17/10/2025 10:27

We have also looked at the school recently and are considering. Have you managed to find out more information regarding the SEN support ?

ThisJollyPearlDreamer · 06/12/2025 11:37

Prav Karian is now COO at Mount Kelly. I would choose a different school if I were you. He destroyed Our Lady's Abingdon and made it close down in August this year. God knows what he did with the fees' money. We were left with no school for our DD 2 weeks before the start of the new school year.