If you like the outdoors, have a sense of adventure and are keen to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, then Mount Kelly is the school for you.
Our spectacular location means that we are well known for our strong commitment to co-curricular activities and we encourage all pupils to take part, whether it be camping out on the moor, paddling a canoe or riding the waves on a surfboard. We call it the ‘Mount Kelly Spirit’, an attitude to life that develops here, one that allows pupils to really experience the life-defining educational experience that we promise.
With a high standard of academic schooling and a proven track record in public examination results, over 80% of our pupils gain places at their top choices of universities in the UK and overseas, with more achieving places at Russell Group, Bath and Loughborough universities compared to last year.
The School has an internationally recognised coaching facility for swimming with a four-lane 25-metre pool and an eight-lane 50-metre pool and has had alumni at the last six Olympic and Paralympic games. In 2025, it topped the medal table at the British Summer Nationals, confirming its place as having the top swimming programme in the UK.
In association with Chelsea FC, the School runs a girls’ performance football programme. Two fully FA licensed coaches offer at least 16 hours coaching a week. The squad won the ISFA U18 Girls National Cup Final and the Chelsea Foundation Cup in 2024, ISFA U18 Girls National Cup Final in 2025 and six of the players represented England ISFA in the U16 and U18 girls' squads last season.
The success of our swimmers, footballers and academic scholars creates a culture in which the level of commitment and dedication required to excel are not considered out of the ordinary, but are qualities to which everyone can aspire.
The School was recently selected as a finalist in the Boarding Schools Association Awards; awarded distinction for the Eco School Green Flag Award; highly commended in the Primary Award for Green Education in Schools; one of the World's Leading Boarding Schools as awarded by Fortune; highly commended for Happiest Boarding School and Originality in Teaching Music and Arts by Muddy Stilettos; and selected as a finalist for the Independent School Parent magazine's Independent School of the Year Award and Performing Arts School of the Year.
Site and buildings. Mount Kelly is set in over 100 acres of green fields and woodland on the edge of Dartmoor National Park and on the outskirts of the historic town of Tavistock, Devon. The buildings comprise the School Chapel, Assembly Hall, Performing Arts Centre, Dining Rooms, Libraries, Art Studios, Technology workshops, Science Laboratories, Swimming Pools (50-metre and 25-metre indoor and 20-metre outdoor), Sports Hall, Gym, Climbing Wall, Fives and Squash Courts, floodlit All-Weather Pitches.
Term of entry. Pupils may be accepted at any stage in the school year from Reception though to Year 12.
Scholarships. Each year, Mount Kelly makes available a number of scholarships and awards to pupils hoping to join us in Year 9 or the Sixth Form. Scholarships and awards are competitive on entry, and provide exceptional opportunities for able pupils. Awards may be given in the following disciplines: Academic, Art, DT, Music (incl. Choral), Sport, Football and Swimming. Means-tested fee assistance is available to all applicants who qualify.
Curriculum. The GCSE curriculum is flexible and aims to stretch each pupil appropriately. The core subjects are Mathematics, English (Language and Literature) and all three Science disciplines. The range of option subjects include Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, DT, EAL, French, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) and Spanish.
Pupils entering the Sixth Form need to possess six GCSE passes with at least a grade 6 for any subject they wish to study at A level and a 7 for Mathematics and the Sciences. Mount Kelly pupils study for three A levels. A level option subjects include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, English Literature, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Fine Art, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education, Politics, Product Design, Psychology, Religious Studies, Modern Foreign Languages and EPQ. Mount Kelly also offers a range of BTEC courses including Sports Coaching, Applied Science and Performing Arts. All pupils in Year 12 year receive tuition in Public Speaking.
Co-curricular activities. Mount Kelly has a strong commitment to co-curricular activities and the majority of College pupils are involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, or the Ten Tors Challenge. There is also a strong Naval section of the Combined Cadet Force.
Academic staff run the innovative Learning Outside the Classroom Programme from Year 3 to Year 9. Children in the Pre-Prep attend forest school on a daily basis as weather permits.
All pupils are encouraged to explore new interests and to make the most of their spare time. Societies and activities include LAMDA, Debating, Current Affairs, Drama, Choir, Orchestra, Ensembles, Chess, Computer Programming, Photography, Fine Arts, Surfing and Textiles.
Sport. Mount Kelly has a strong sporting tradition. Sports undertaken are Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, Squash, Basketball, all of which are played competitively with over 700 fixtures a year.
Fees per term (2025-2026). Day Pupils: £3,540–£8,676, Full Boarding: £10,716–£16,500. These fees are inclusive of VAT.
Charitable status. The Mount Kelly Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 306716.