Mount Kelly

[MamaPower]

I’m looking for the latest feedback on MK please?
considering it as DD is National Qualifier, however she also needs a great academic education to support her career choice beyond swimming.
class sizes?
boarding?
bullying?
pastoral care?
class sizes?

absolutely anything and everything to help us make our decision please.

Based on our experience, I would have significant reservations.

The pastoral care is very poor and actually concerning. Due to serious failures in this area, we removed our child.

Academically, the standard was disappointing. I think the school’s location makes it hard to attract strong teaching staff. In the lead-up to GCSEs, there was also a prolonged absence of a chemistry teacher. The head of Prep and the deputy have also recently left.
As for swimming, the squad is too large for the number of coaches to provide the level of attention required for effective training. Many therefore seek additional coaching outside the programme. So what is the point? The local club where my child currently trains offers far superior coaching and safeguarding to what we experienced at MK.
However if you set on a swimming performance school, I would look at Repton. Mr Semmence, who was Head at MK during the merger, is now the Headmaster at Repton. He is an excellent Head and exemplifies a standard of leadership that, regrettably, is no longer evident at MK. Is MK good value for money? Based on our experience, I would say no. If your child is happy and flourishing at her current club, I would question whether it is worth taking the risk of moving.