Prep Academic

In Years 1 to 4, our pupils embark on an exciting learning adventure with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This dynamic approach delivers Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Design Technology, PE and Music through creative, hands-on thematic units that truly spark curiosity.

Each unit begins with a captivating entry point designed to ignite imagination and enthusiasm. Pupils dive deep into big ideas, sharing what they already know in a ‘Knowledge Harvest’ before exploring the topic from different subject perspectives, becoming scientists, geographers, historians and artists as they journey through their learning.

The learning culminates in a lively exit point where pupils take centre stage to showcase their discoveries and achievements. These celebrations, whether a Victorian Afternoon complete with homemade sponge cake or a ‘What’s on the Menu?’ feast, invite peers, teachers, and visitors to witness the pride and creativity of our young learners.

The IPC makes learning meaningful and relevant by connecting subjects in exciting ways and linking our pupils with others around the world studying the same themes. While literacy and numeracy are taught separately, the IPC enhances cross-curricular connections, creating a rich, 21st-century curriculum that prepares pupils for a lifetime of exploration and discovery.

We are proud advocates of this vibrant approach that turns every school day into an inspiring, real-world adventure.

In a vibrant and lively Art Department, all pupils from Years 3-8 work in a wide range of media from drawing and painting to clay and textiles.

The curriculum is designed to inspire a love of creating, experimenting, exploring and learning. Each class explores a topic or theme each term which offers a new skill or technique to learn and develop. In the lower Prep, projects often support the current IPC topic. In the middle Prep the focus is on fine art skills whilst looking at a wide range of artists and makers for inspiration.  By Year 8, pupils are encouraged to embark upon more independent projects in any media they choose.

The Art Department runs a range of clubs at lunchtimes and after school as well as a Scholarship program for pupils with a real passion for the subject.

Learning is also supplemented by visiting artists and the school’s involvement in community projects that celebrate the arts.

The Design Technology Department is situated at the heart of the Prep, within the courtyard.

The department has been fitted with a band saw, belt sander, scroll saws, pillar drills, 3D printing and graphics studio mezzanine to aid the learning journeys of children within this subject. The main focus for learning is to work with wood; joining, shaping and finishing to a high standard. The enthusiasm and quality of learning is testament to the quality teaching methods, projects and determination of the children to succeed in all areas.

Pupils in Years 3-7 are taught at the Prep, where they build on a range of skills and learn to use workshop tools and machinery. Year 8 pupils visit the DT department at the College to develop their design skills further before stepping up to Year 9.

Drama helps to build a child’s self-esteem, confidence, creativity and communication skills and encourages teamwork.

Our drama activities form a natural extension to academic studies with every year group involved in a drama production at different times throughout the year. Previous performances include Twelfth Night, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, A Christmas Carol, Pirates of the Curry Bean, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, Romeo and Juliet and The Highwayman. Pupils gain knowledge of all aspects of theatre, including presentation, design, lighting and stage management. Mount Kelly also holds a poetry recital competition in the Lent Term.

Outings are arranged to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, The Minack Theatre in Penzance, and to other productions in the surrounding area, offering pupils a great opportunity to experience professional live performance.

Many pupils elect to work towards the LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) examinations, joining the group tuition scheme run by our visiting LAMDA Teacher.

At the heart of our English department is a love of reading — fuelled and organised through the ‘Accelerated Reader’ programme that motivates pupils to dive into books and develop a lifelong passion for stories.

Across all year groups, pupils explore a rich mix of contemporary and classic works from diverse voices and cultures. This not only sharpens their literacy skills but also broadens their empathy, sparks moral reflection, and deepens their understanding of the world. From the heartfelt journey in Wonder by R. J. Palacio, to the powerful themes in A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, and the poignant history in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, our pupils engage with texts that challenge and inspire.

Precision in spelling, punctuation and grammar is another key focus — the building blocks of confident and expressive writing that our pupils master year on year.

Poetry offers a special space for creativity and self-expression. Every pupil learns to appreciate, recite, and write poetry, gradually creating their own anthologies. The annual Poetry Recital Competition, culminating in a lively final in the Front Hall, is a highlight of the school calendar — a celebration of voice, rhythm and imagination.

We encourage our pupils to stretch their skills beyond the classroom through writing competitions like BBC’s 500 Words, SATIPS poetry contests, and engaging debating events such as the Rotary Club’s ‘Youth Speaks.’ These opportunities nurture confident communicators and thoughtful leaders of tomorrow.

Cambridge First Certificate in English [FCE]
Cambridge Advanced in English [CAE]
Cambridge Proficiency in English [CPE]
International English Language Testing System [IELTS]

The EAL Department is about so much more than helping with language acquisition. It is also important to ensure that overseas pupils settle down happily within their new environment and to help them with any initial learning difficulties, culture shock and possible homesickness. For pupils who are far from home it is essential that we do all we can to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and we achieve this through tuition on a one-to-one or very small group basis with each pupil’s needs individually assessed. At the prep, this focuses on helping pupils to assimilate into life in the UK and at Mount Kelly, as well as helping them to access the curriculum.

Years 7 – 9

Overseas pupils will study EAL as one of their subjects. This is usually instead of a modern language (French or Spanish), depending on their language ability and EAL requirements, or will be instead of another subject. EAL lessons range between one and four lessons weekly; an English skills analysis on entry to the school will determine their needs.

Pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding develop alongside their thinking skills, allowing them to expand ideas and form opinions.

Pupils participate actively in their learning; their enthusiasm and individuality are valued and they are given opportunities to complete tasks in ways that suit their learning styles and the department encourages and supports the use of a range of technology for individual, group and class research. In the Lower Prep, Geography is an essential and integral part of the IPC, forming the basis for much of the learning through topics such as ‘Adventurers and Explorers’ and ‘Active Planet’. From Year 4 pupils move on to reinforce prior learning, looking at developing fieldwork and research skills alongside local and international case-studies. With strong cross-curricular links to our Shackleton and LOTC programmes, pupils will also be learning essential map reading, orienteering and OS skills.

Following on from the work within the IPC, pupils follow an extensive and detailed journey from Year 5, investigating the Romans, the Vikings and the Saxons leading through to the beginning of the 20th century and everything in between. Pupils are engaged in a great deal of Learning Outside the Classroom, with visits to local areas of historical interest, visits from ‘real’ Roman soldiers, and the enactment of significant historical battles within the extensive grounds of the school. Key periods in history are brought to life through dramatic presentations of events such as the trial of Charles the First and the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. Younger pupils visit Morwellham Quay to learn about Victorian life and the wealth of National Trust locations in our area, including Cotehele and Buckland Abbey, help to bring learning to life and bridge the gap between the centuries.

The ICT Department of Mount Kelly believes that the ability to use ICT effectively is an essential 21st century life-skill.

We aim to develop our pupils into learners who are confident, safe and effective users of ICT. ICT is an increasingly essential tool for learning and is key to raising standards across a wide range of subjects. From Year 5, ICT is such a fundamental part of all learning that it ceases to be taught as a discrete subject. By this age, our pupils have acquired a good set of IT skills that they can apply in all subject areas, enabling ICT to become fully integrated within the curriculum as a whole. Pupils use ICT at Mount Kelly to communicate and handle information and present it in a variety of ways alongside learning the basics of coding and programming. ICT is also very much viewed as a cross-curricular element, helping pupils to meet their statutory requirements for using ICT as outlined in the Programmes of Study for each subject.

Our Mathematics department is an essential part of academic life at the school.

Lessons are taught through a variety of activities, investigations and games, concentrating on many different areas of Mathematics, whilst giving pupils the opportunity to explore ideas and concepts. Whilst our ultimate aim is to prepare pupils for the GCSE course and beyond, we also strive to give pupils confidence and a variety of opportunities to stretch and challenge their understanding of mathematics. Most importantly, pupils at Mount Kelly enjoy solving puzzles, conquering new skills and the joy of success. Increasingly, we are developing learning through the use of ICT and online resources to reinforce and augment the learning that takes place both within and outside the classroom, for pupils of all ages.

During the year, we aim to enter pupils into various mathematical challenges, such as the Primary Maths Challenge and the UKMT team competition, with the aim of qualifying through to the Maths Olympiad.

Thriving and bursting with energy, the Music Department at the Prep is pulsing with life. The children from Reception to Year 8 have weekly music lessons in the spacious Music School.  With 12 keyboards, an upright and grand piano, 20 ukuleles and wide range of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments in the main teaching room, an ensemble room with drum kits, and 14 separate practice rooms with a piano, it is a well-resourced department.  The boarding community is encouraged to practice each day and throughout their free time, and day pupils are always welcome to the department for extra practice.

Pupils of all age, ability and instrument are encouraged to perform to their peers during Assembly on a Monday; vocalists, pianists, saxophonists, cellists, violinists, clarinet, trumpet and flute players from beginners to diploma level have been a pleasure to see.  An accomplished and professional team of Visiting Music Teachers are on site daily to deliver quality music tuition on many instruments.

Instrumental Lessons

Every pupil at Mount Kelly has the opportunity to play a musical instrument which is an essential part of a broad and balanced education.

There are many studies which show the considerable benefits to the pupil including increased fine motor coordination, visual processing and social confidence especially when taking part in a musical ensemble.

Later in their school careers, pupils find the experience of playing music provides a refreshing diversion from academic studies especially during exam periods. When applying to university, pupils are finding that admissions tutors are particularly impressed by those candidates who have had the dedication and determination to pursue music alongside their other studies.

Lessons in the full range of instruments, including singing, are available within the school from a team of dedicated and experienced teachers, with a track record of outstanding tuition and results.  Taster lessons are available before committing to a full term and these are charged pro rata.

We believe that learning a language is key to underpinning communication with people, helping pupils to open their minds to the wealth of different countries and cultures. Great emphasis is placed on oral fluency, leading to an oral exam in Year 6 and 7 and up to the all-important Year 8 exams Our teaching approach is to develop pupils’ linguistic competence and confidence, within the Lower Prep through the ‘La Jolie Ronde’ French programme, developing into a broader range of materials drawn from the ISEB syllabus. Spanish is introduced in Year 7, with pupils continuing to study both French and Spanish for their final two years at the Prep. Cultural awareness is promoted at every opportunity, with after school clubs including Japanese and Russian to further develop and engage pupils of all ages in promoting an international mindedness and a love of languages.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

Personalised Learning at Mount Kelly encompasses Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (including Potential High Achievers), Medical and Mental Health, English as an Additional Language and the demands on our performance swimmers and athletes.

Our aim is to ensure that the learning styles and requirements of all our pupils are met through the benchmark of Quality First Teaching and a graduated response of Wave 1, 2 and 3 interventions.

At the Prep, we operate a ‘whole pupil, whole school’ approach to the management and provision of support for special educational needs. Support and advice are offered to all staff working with special educational needs pupils. All children with an additional need are identified on the Prep Provision Map which is regularly reviewed.

We actively encourage all children to develop independence within the classroom and as far as possible this is promoted via Wave 1 level support and Quality First Teaching. Some children will require a more bespoke package of support and will attend booster sessions in small groups through non-academic time.

Children who have specific needs will receive an individual Pupil Passport, put together by staff in close collaboration with the child and parents. In rare cases some children may require some 1:1 support. This is agreed in conjunction with the Assistant Head of Personalised Learning, relevant Heads of Faculty and the Deputy Head Academic.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education plays a vital role in developing happy children who feel confident and resilient enough to learn and thrive in our fast-changing world. Our PSHE education curriculum is carefully designed and regularly updated to ensure that it is relevant to our pupils and equips them to deal with life experiences and challenges both now and in the future. It is therefore structured as a spiral programme of knowledge, skill, and attribute development which each year builds on what has gone before and introduces new and more challenging learning, with scenarios developing in complexity and depth by Year 8. Our curriculum is mapped to the PSHE Association Programme of Study and topics are often timed to coincide with national or international events, such as Anti-Bullying Week, Empathy Week and Mental Health Awareness Week. The curriculum is also enriched by sessions with outside speakers and organisations where relevant.

PSHE education contributes to pupils’ personal development by helping them to build their confidence, resilience, and self-esteem, and to identify and manage risk, make informed choices, and understand what influences their decisions. It also enables them to recognise, accept and shape their identities and values, to understand and accommodate difference and change, to manage emotions and to communicate constructively in a variety of settings.

Religious Studies at Mount Kelly creates the opportunity for each child to study religion and the nature of existence, questioning and discussing philosophical concepts and issues. From Year 5, connections with other subject areas are reinforced, for example, the study of the Holocaust coincides with International Holocaust Day and is marked through holocaust literature in English and the wider context within history. We do not believe in examining personal systems of belief, and studying Fundamental British Values alongside Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural aspects of learning allows pupils the freedom to explore, learn and express their opinions in a safe and supportive environment. Classrooms are considered ‘safe spaces’ where an atmosphere of mutual respect, consideration for others and tolerance is fostered. Older pupils are challenged to research a chosen world religion or belief system as part of a group (Year 7) and then individually (Year 8).

The Science Department is housed in two spacious, fully equipped laboratories

The laboratories are used by the specialist science teachers and their classes, as well as by the Lower Prep for aspects of their IPC curriculum. The labs are supported and maintained with the assistance of a laboratory technician. Our main ethos is to provide an engaging learning environment, with exciting practical investigations being the focus of the majority of lessons, moving away from more formal and formulaic written assessments. Twice-yearly examinations are conducted, and progress monitored through regular practical work. Mount Kelly’s grounds boast a healthy diversity of flora and fauna and we have our own greenhouse, a poly-tunnel, pond and environmental study area as well our own lake and access to the River Tavy. The whole campus is one huge outdoor classroom!