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What it's like

Founded in 1877 by Admiral Kelly, it has a magnificent site above the River Tavy on the edge of one of the most beautiful parts of Dartmoor. The pleasant market town of Tavistock is nearby. Many additions and improvements have been made in recent years and the school is well equipped, with its own adventure training centre and all-weather hockey/tennis surface. Numbers are kept low as a matter of policy and there is a separate preparatory school. A sound general education is provided in a friendly atmosphere. Music, drama and art are all strong. The college has unusually fine playing fields and sports facilities and there is much emphasis on sports and games. Rugby, netball and swimming are particularly strong. High standards are attained and there have been a number of representatives at county, regional and national level. There are many clubs and societies for extra-curricular activities, which include fishing (salmon and trout) and riding. The CCF is large, with Royal Navy and Army sections. Nautical connections have been retained and there are close links with the Navy in Dartmouth and Devonport. There is a large number of adventure training activities, for which the locality is ideal, and it has a tradition of success in the Ten Tors expeditions. Overseas trips and expeditions are a regular feature.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 360 pupils, 185 day (110 boys, 75 girls), 175 boarding (100 boys, 75 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth form subjects). State school entry 40% main intake, plus 60% to sixth form. Many from own prep - Kelly College Preparatory School (Hazeldon House, Parkwood Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0JS, Tel 01822 612919; email admin@kellycollegeprep.com).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships awarded at age 11, 13 and 16, value up to 25% of day fee or 40% of boarding fee (less for exhibitions): academic, art, speech & drama, design technology, ICT, music, swimming & triathlon, sport. Variable bursaries, based on financial need, usually for existing pupils. Discounts of 10% of fees for children of HM forces or former pupils and for siblings.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Dr Graham Hawley, in post since 2008. Previously Deputy Headmaster at Warwick School and taught biology at Ardingly.

Pupils' destinations

98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (18% after a gap year). 25% take courses in science and engineering, 60% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in the arts.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels, BTEC. 17 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; wide range of combinations taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Individual help is given. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Many computers for pupil use, majority networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils have their own computer (150+ network points across the school). All pupils prepared for ECDL qualifications; ICT AS and A-level offered.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including choirs, orchestra, wind band, pop group etc. Several pupils play with county youth orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered. All sixth formers take LAMDA certificate. Majority of pupils are involved in school/house productions (eg Loot, A Woman of No Importance, A Midsummer Night's Dream). Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, A-level. Design, photography and history of art also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, netball compulsory. Optional: swimming, cross-country, tennis, squash, soccer, basketball. Sixth form only: weight training. GCSE, AS and A-level and BTEC sports studies may be taken. Number of international swimmers; county rugby champions (XV and sevens). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional for 3 years (from age 13), community service in sixth form. Adventure education eg abseiling, orienteering, canoeing. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, public-speaking, drama, fishing, sub-aqua, chess, bridge.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by Headmaster and housemasters. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Sharing of music with local community; debating and drama with local schools. Regular visits to France and Germany; adventure training expeditions throughout the world. Day pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to be referred to the tutor and/or housemaster and be given extra work; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion. There is a strong framework of discipline.

Boarding

Single-sex senior boarding houses, plus co-educational house for 11-13 year olds (and prep); mixed day house 13-18.