Mount Kelly Prep
School summary
With around 206 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly six to one, Mount Kelly Prep is a small independent school where children are unlikely to go unnoticed. Set in Tavistock, Devon, it offers both day and boarding places under a Church of England character, and welcomes boys and girls alike. The intimate scale and high staffing levels suggest a setting where pupils receive close attention, and the option to board makes it worth considering for families seeking a more immersive experience. It is inspected by the ISI.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Inspection reports
Teaching & academics
The standout feature here is the very low pupil-to-teacher ratio of about six to one, which allows for a high degree of individual attention in the classroom. The school's approach to technology is age-appropriate and clearly structured: younger pupils are kept largely device-free, Years 7 and 8 may use laptops or iPads but not phones, and older pupils gain greater freedom within set guidelines.
Head of prep · Mrs L Tabb
Beyond the classroom
Swimming is central to life at Mount Kelly Prep, which offers dedicated swimming scholarships and identifies it as the school's main sport. Families with a keen young swimmer will find a clear pathway and recognition for talent in the pool.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Year 6 and below: no mobile devices unless explicit permission. Years 7-8: laptops/iPads allowed but no mobile phones. Years 9+: mobile phones and digital devices permitted subject to guidelines.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £10,620 - £21,060
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £30,384 - £32,148
Advertised locally when available
Schools nearby
Mount Kelly
Tavistock, South West
Tor View School
Tavistock, South West
Heather Bridge School
Yelverton, South West
The Lowen School
South West
Quay View School
Yelverton, South West
The Wildings Lovaton
Lovaton, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, swimming-focused prep with boarding and an exceptionally generous staffing ratio. Best suited to families who value close attention and want a sporting specialism on the doorstep.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Mount Kelly Prep 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.