Wellbeing

The Housemaster/mistress’s overriding aim is to enable each pupil to achieve his or her full potential in all aspects of School life within a safe and harmonious setting; they are helped to do this by a dedicated team of tutors. They have overall responsibility for the welfare of pupils in the House, monitor the balance between academic and extra-curricular activities and encourage all pupils to play a full part in the School community. Academically, they identify areas that need action, as indicated by grades and reports and devise and implement strategies to address them, keeping parents informed of progress where appropriate. They ensure that correct routines are followed in House and are very much ‘in loco parentis’, with a keen eye kept on the safeguarding of children under their care.

We have six dedicated Matrons that act as a point of contact in a wide range of important areas, which directly affect the welfare of all pupils and especially boarders. Boarders will consult Matron when feeling unwell and they will treat any minor illnesses and injuries, and deal with their general medical needs as required.

Matrons liaise with the School Nurse over medical and dental appointments for boarders, ensuring that these are attended, and they accompany pupils where parents/guardians are unable to attend. She will also feedback relevant medical information to parents/guardians in consultation with the Housemaster/mistress and School Nurse.

Boarding pupils will be able to refer to Matron over any concerns regarding laundry, bedding, uniform or cleaning of rooms. Above all Matron plays an essential role in the pastoral life of the House and keeps a close eye on the emotional as well as the physical well-being of the pupils, liaising regularly with the Housemaster/Mistress over any concerns which may arise.

In the Prep and in the College each pupil is assigned a Tutor whose responsibility is to offer academic and pastoral support. Parents are encouraged to develop good lines of communication with Tutors who will act as a first point of contact in the day to day welfare of our pupils.

Day-to-day care of the pupils is in the hands of the Housemasters and Housemistresses who, with their team of tutors, monitor our pupils’ academic progress, general welfare and co-curricular involvement. They form a team of trusted adults to whom pupils can turn, for whatever reason.

A successful system depends upon effective lines of communication and we value parental involvement.

At the College, each pupil is assigned a Tutor whose responsibility it is to offer academic and pastoral support. Tutors meet with their tutees twice a week during timetabled sessions and are the first point of call for parents.

Visiting Tutors are members of staff who are assigned to a House to supervise in the evenings, although not living in the House itself. They will supervise registration, help oversee preps and ensure the smooth functioning of the House before bedtimes. They are there to help when pupils have a problem.

Resident Tutors are in the boarding House on a daily basis, as well as on their duty days and nights. As they sleep in House, they can be woken at night in case of emergency, as can the Housemaster/Mistress.

The Tutor system throughout the Prep school plays an integral part in building strong relationships between teachers and pupils and being the first port of call for parents. We want our tutors to champion their tutees at all times and get to know them well. Our tutors see their tutees twice a day during their timetabled Tutor Group sessions and are therefore on hand to support the children at all times and offer a guiding hand where needed.

Tutors monitor the overall demands on boarders’ time and will help pupils to manage and/or reduce the demands accordingly.

If a pupil or a parent wishes to raise a concern or issue, the Housemaster, Housemistress or the tutor should always be the first point of call.

We recognise that our modern age brings with it new stresses and strains, not least of all social media.

Our pupils’ welfare is paramount and to this end we have well established child protection policies and procedures designed to ensure their ongoing health and safety. Pupils identified as having particular emotional or physical needs will be placed on our ‘Care Register’ with their progress closely monitored by the appropriate staff including the School Nurse. There can be many reasons why a pupil may have particular difficulties for example home sickness, stress, bereavement, bullying, workload, and relationship and family concerns. Pupils may refer themselves, or they could be referred by a concerned member of staff or parent.

The School Nurse and her team of Matrons, along with the Housemasters and Housemistresses have experience of talking to and advising pupils about a wide range of issues and concerns and will always do what they can to help a pupil who needs that extra bit of care. Sometimes more professional help is required and where appropriate pupils can talk to our trained professional counsellor who is available by appointment. Alternatively professional counselling is available through referral from the school GP. Complete confidentiality is preserved except where statutory safeguarding and child protection requirements must be upheld.

Information about the counselling service is posted in the houses on notice boards giving times and contact details. All staff are made aware of the service offered during their Child Protection training.

At Mount Kelly we seek to offer a well-rounded education which includes an awareness and nurturing of the spiritual dimension of life. Mount Kelly, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscape in Britain, is a wonderful place to cultivate such awareness.

Our Church of England foundation means we are a Christian school connected with the church across England, giving us access to a variety of ministers and bishops whose preaching has enriched our chapel services. The musical dimension is invaluable with pupils and the choir singing and appreciating the many popular hymns and anthems. Soloists also play in our services giving more space for reflection. Our readings provide a helpful overview of the Bible, as well as enhancing the cultural literacy of our pupils. The talks on Monday are mainly Christian in focus. Fridays alternate between ‘Thought for the Day’ and House chapel, giving pupils, members of staff and outside speakers the opportunity to speak about a variety of topics that might inspire and challenge our pupils.

In addition to weekly chapel there are more formal services. Mid-week Holy Communions give pupils the opportunity to experience the heart of Anglican worship, Harvest Festival gives an insight into rural life, farming and fruitfulness and Carols by Candlelight, a particularly evocative service brings the College together to enjoy an intimate experience of Christmas worship.

Outside chapel, visiting groups bring new perspectives to our life here. Sport is much loved at Mount Kelly so ‘Christians in Sport’ come and provide the pupils with the opportunity to reflect on competition, values and enjoyment both at amateur and elite level.

For those wanting to learn about the Christian faith we have a seekers group that looks at the Big Questions of Life from a Christian perspective. For those wanting to affirm their faith we offer confirmation into the Church of England. For those seeking to grow in the Christian faith, there is a Junior and Senior Christian Union that meet once a week to week to reflect on passages from the Bible, pray together and reflect on contemporary issues.

This section gives a brief overview of the medical care and facilities provided for the pupils at Mount Kelly.

I am a Registered General Nurse responsible for overseeing the health and well-being of all the pupils and staff across the Foundation and based in School Health Centre located on the ground floor of School House at the College. I ensure the pupils’ acute and chronic conditions are treated and managed by specialist professionals in a sympathetic and supportive way.

Please do read Mount Kelly’s Medical Care Policy and do not hesitate to contact me for more information, if you have any health concerns about your son or daughter or wish to share information that may affect their health and wellbeing.

Confidentiality is maintained at all times unless it is in the pupil’s best interest or necessary for the protection of the wider school community to breach confidence and pass information to a relevant person or body.

Medical Facilities

Matrons provide 24 hour cover.

For non-emergency medical concerns pupils are encouraged to attend the clinics at the advertised hours during school breaks.

There are two medical centres across the Foundation:

• The College Health Centre is located on the ground floor of School House with an office, treatment room and rest room and is staffed between 09:00 and 16:30 each day.
• The Prep Surgery is located in the boarding house and is manned 24 hours a day by the Prep Head Matron, Emma Birchell, and her team.

All boarders are registered with Tavyside Health Centre (01822 613517).

In order that we can ensure the safe administration of over-the-counter medicine and the safety of other pupils sharing the same boarding house, we ask that you do not send your child to school with any medication. Mount Kelly has a medically approved list of over-the-counter medication and lotions that trained staff are able to administer to pupils by following the school’s relevant protocols.

Medication

If a pupil needs to be on prescribed medication, we request you bring it to school in its original named packaging, in sufficient quantities with instructions for use. It is the school’s policy that asthmatic and anaphylactic pupils carry their own medication. Any other medication brought back to school must be handed into the House Matron.

Immunisation

All pupils are kept up to date with their routine immunisations. Parental/Guardian consent will be required for all vaccines. Vaccinations are coordinated by the School Nurse but administered by the Exeter NHS immunisation team. Boarders travelling abroad will be seen and then immunised by a Travel Nurse at Tavyside Health Centre.

Mrs Hannah Adams

School Nurse

RGN, BSc

adamsh@mountkelly.com

01822 813133

Mrs Emma Birchell

Prep Head Matron

BA

birchelle@mountkelly.com

01822 619823

Physiotherapy – Clinic re-opening

In line with government guidelines, Esther will be starting to see people for Physio appointments at the Mount Kelly Physio Centre. It’s not quite business as usual as, but if you are in pain and in need of help please phone 01822813199 or 07810481047 or email info@mountkellyphysio.com

Published 16 June 2020

Consultation & Booking Procedure

1. All students, staff and parents are welcome to use the Physiotherapy service. Please email Esther or phone the Physiotherapy Centre to make an initial appointment at a convenient time.
2. Drop in clinics are held for all Mount Kelly students, these are free 10 minute triage appointments to ascertain the severity of the problem. Treatment is not performed during drop in sessions. Once an initial assessment has been made, Esther will contact parents to discuss treatment options. An agreed number of sessions will take place and feedback will be given to staff and parents on the pupil’s progress. To access these, students can liaise with sports coaches or Nurse Hannah.
   – Monday 16:30 – 17:30 (Non-Swim Squad)
   – Tuesday 16:30 – 17:30 (Swim Squad)

Pricing

Booking is required for all appointments. Appointments outside opening hours are offered at Esther’s discretion. Parents are advised to subscribe to the School’s AXA Healthcare Plan. Information regarding this healthcare can be found here Admission Documents

Opening Hours

08:00-19:30 Monday to Friday

09:00-17:00 on Saturday

Location

The Physiotherapy Centre is located adjacent to Newton House.

Vehicle access is via the Newton House entrance from the A386, 200m north of the entrance to the 50m pool complex.

Biography

Esther Fox

Esther started her career in Physiotherapy in 2003, working at East Surrey Hospital, where she worked within an acute hospital setting. In 2005 she moved to Devon, working in Exeter in both the NHS and the private sectors, particularly with patients affected by neurological, musculo-skeletal and orthopaedic conditions. During that time she also worked as a Physiotherapist in a school for children with complex disabilities. She has lived and worked in Tavistock since 2009.

In 2011, she worked as Research Fellow and Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Plymouth University, and consequently received her Doctorate in 2015. She has had much of her research published and has lectured internationally on the subject of core stability training. Esther is registered with The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) and The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

www.mountkellyphysio.com

Mount Kelly believes that the children in its care have a right to participate and be listened to.

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) says that children and young people should have a say in decisions that affect their lives. It is hoped that the Mount Kelly school council can provide a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their opinions and have their views taken into account in decisions which impact upon them.

Who would make a successful School Councillor?

Someone who is:

• A good listener and speaker
• A team player
• Keen to make a contribution to improving our school
• Able to represent the views reliably of others within their House / Year groups
• Willing to give up some of their free time
• A good role model.

Prep School Council

The pupil School Council at the Prep is a democratically elected group of pupils who represent their peers in Years 3-8. One pupil is elected from each class for the term.

The School Council is involved in many areas of school life, including:

• Helping to select playground equipment
• Looking at links between the Pre-Prep and Years 3-8
• Working to raise the profile of National Anti-Bullying Week
• Providing feedback and suggestions regarding catering
• Providing feedback on the selection of extra-curricular clubs