Arts and Creativity

Musical Life

Anyone at Mount Kelly can explore music—whether taking first lessons on an instrument or singing in choir. The dedicated music building houses twelve keyboards, a concert grand piano, and fourteen rehearsal studios where students develop their skills.

The chamber choir, consisting of twenty-two accomplished singers, has won national competitions in London and claimed silver and gold at international events in Italy and Barcelona. Beyond regular overseas tours, the group released an EP in 2019 that’s available on streaming platforms.

Theatre at Mount Kelly

Two major productions happen annually: autumn brings a full-scale musical with open auditions across all year groups, while spring features a studio piece where students handle directing and set design themselves. Recent shows included We Will Rock You and original works by British playwrights, with the nearby Theatre Royal Plymouth offering regular access to London premieres.

The school also runs LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) sessions—private coaching in acting and public speaking that, from level six upward, converts into university entrance points. Some sixth-formers audition for the National Youth Theatre, finding that stage exam experience translates well to interviews.

Studios and Workshops

Mount Kelly’s facilities include a gallery, pottery workshop, darkroom, and two light-filled studios covering everything from painting to ceramics and textiles. Sixth-formers receive personal workspace modeled on university studios, with access extending into evenings and Saturdays.

The design and technology department, equipped with woodworking machinery, sees Year 9 teams regularly winning regional engineering competitions. At A Level, there’s a dedicated photography course exploring film, animation, and conceptual installations.

Arts Festival

The summer term concludes with a three-day Arts Festival where students experiment with dance, drama, and music, ultimately creating a show within twenty-four hours for friends and family.

Those seriously committed to performance can pursue a two-year BTEC qualification in performing arts—portfolio-assessed without final exams, it yields up to 84 university points. Guest musician concerts throughout the season remain free for students, making cultural enrichment genuinely accessible.