Boarding

Seven Houses

Mount Kelly organizes its boarding around seven residences that correspond to different age groups. Younger students in grades 3–8 settle into Tavy House, which is integrated directly into the primary school building, while older students move into one of four senior houses — Newton and Courtenay for boys, School House and Marwood for girls. As they progress through the years, room arrangements shift to match their developmental needs: shared dormitories make it easy to form friendships early on, then gradually transition to smaller rooms for two or three, where students can focus more intently on their exams.

Care at Mount Kelly

Each house operates under the guidance of a Housemaster or Housemistress, who leads a team of tutors that meet with students twice weekly and serve as the primary point of contact for parents. This creates a dense network of academic and emotional support. Meanwhile, matrons work around the clock — treating minor injuries, arranging doctor visits, managing uniforms and linens, and keeping an eye on students’ moods, which they report back to the house leader to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Weekends at School

Saturdays revolve around sports fixtures and a full program of activities — if a student isn’t selected for a team match, they can choose from workshops, excursions, or hobbies instead, while evening entertainment is left to the staff member on duty. Sundays offer more freedom: students in Year 11 and above can head to Plymouth on their own, while younger boarders might go surfing in Cornwall, try rock climbing, or take a shopping trip to Exeter.

International Students’ Daily Life

Mount Kelly handles airport transfers as part of the package, provided families book through the official calendar, and holds a visa sponsor license, working with Sable International to manage all documentation. The catering team from Thomas Franks prepares meals using local ingredients, and since the community is internationally minded, the menu regularly features celebrations like Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving, and Burns Night. English language support for international students comes included in the fees.