Mount Kelly
Tavistock, Devon, South West · PL19 0HZ
Founded in 1860, Mount Kelly is a Church of England independent school in Tavistock that takes pupils from age three through to eighteen, both as day pupils and boarders. With 391 on roll, including a substantial sixth form of 166, it sits in the medium-size band and has a strongly individualised feel, reflected in the large proportion of pupils receiving SEN support. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school "good" overall, and singled out personal development as "excellent". The school's swimming and football pathways are a defining feature, supported by dedicated scholarships in both.
391
Pupils
good
ISI
£26,028
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 3-18
- Pupils
- 391
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 20
- Location
- Tavistock, Devon, South West
- Website
- www.mountkelly.com
- Telephone
- 01822 813100
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Headmaster and principal of Mount Kelly Foundation Mr Guy Ayling
Latest results
Attainment 8
22.2
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
42%
A-level A*-A
22%
A-level A*-B
51%
Teaching & academics
Mount Kelly's headline attainment figures sit well below national averages: an Attainment 8 of 22.2 against 46.9 nationally, with 42% of GCSE grades at 9-7 but 0% achieving grade 5 or above in both English and Maths. At A-level, 22% of entries reached A*-A and 51% A*-B, with popular sixth-form choices spanning sciences, humanities and sport. The curriculum is broad, offering GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs and the EPQ, with French and Spanish taught as languages. Prospective families should weigh these results carefully in the context of a high level of learning-support provision.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 166
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 38.94%
- EHC plans
- 1.37%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport is central here, with swimming and football the main strengths and scholarships available in both, alongside academic, music, art, design and technology, choral and girls' football awards. The breadth of scholarship routes signals genuine investment in talents beyond the classroom.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1860
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Pupils in year 6 and below may not bring any mobile devices to school, unless with the explicit permission of a member of staff. Pupils in years 7 and 8 may bring laptops or iPads to school, in accordance with the 'bring your own device' policy but may not bring mobile phones. Pupils in years 9 to 13 are permitted to bring mobile phones and digital devices to school, but that their use is subject to our guidelines.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £26,028
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £43,524 - £46,548
- Bursaries up to
- 10% of fees
Means-tested bursaries are available
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 26 November 2024
The last word
A small, sport-focused boarding and day school where pastoral care and personal development outshine the academic data. Best suited to families who value individual attention and a strong swimming or football pathway.
The Passmate verdict
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Mount Kelly 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Mount Kelly located?
Mount Kelly is located at Parkwood Road, Tavistock, PL19 0HZ.
What type of school is Mount Kelly?
Mount Kelly is an independent (fee-paying) school in South West.
How many pupils attend Mount Kelly?
Mount Kelly has approximately 391 pupils on roll.
What is Mount Kelly's inspection rating?
Mount Kelly is inspected by the ISI and was judged "good" at its inspection on 26 November 2024.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.