A GOLDEN opportunity — when Mark Semmence took the helm at the recently-formed Mount Kelly in Tavistock this month, the term might have been coined for his role and the new foundation he heads. With the paint barely dry on the smart new signs outside the two campuses — the former Kelly College and Mount House schools — the headmaster has been getting to grips with the challenges of not only a new job, but a totally new educational body. A dedicated sportsman and passionate cricketer, Mark said he and his family, wife Alison and daughters India and Flora, were very 'outdoors' focussed. West Devon, with its proximity to Dartmoor and the stunning beaches of the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, ticked every box for them. 'I don't know the area at all but I was completely taken aback by the setting of the school and the beauty of the town — it's stunning,' said Mark. The school's position in the Tavy valley is likely to be one of Mount Kelly's unique selling points. 'You look across the valley and think, "All this is Mount Kelly" — it's exceptional. There are very few independent schools that can match what we have here,' said Mark. He and his family have only been living in West Devon for a few weeks, but they are keen to explore the community they have moved into — a community in which the new headmaster feels the school plays a major role. 'It's incredibly important. We are rooted in the community here — not only do we employ a lot of people, and play an important role in the economy because of that, we want to foster much stronger links with the primary schools and Tavistock College. 'Kelly was originally a full boarding school — now, 50% of Mount Kelly's senior school pupils are day pupils — they live in the area and it's a real focus for me to get our pupils involved in the community. 'One of the most important things our pupils need to learn is service to other people. It's important they are aware of giving back to others.' Building the reputation of the newly merged school foundation is a challenge Mark is keen to take up. 'You have to frame it in the context of what's going on in the independent sector in in general, on the back of the recent recession,' he said. 'I'm fully aware of how much independent education costs, which makes me even more driven to provide as much value as we can. 'It's a tough time, and you have to make sure you offer the very best in order to succeed — that's what I intend to do. 'I have high expectations of all the staff, and the students. I don't want to get involved in change for change's sake, but when you get a new head at a school, it is an appropriate time for reflection.' Having said that, Mark said he has been 'absolutely delighted' with the way the first couple of weeks have gone at Mount Kelly, and that the feedback from both pupils and parents had been 'incredibly positive.' 'My main and primary focus is the children — if they are happy, I think everything else will follow from there,' he said. Mark joined Mount Kelly from Rugby School, one of the premier independent establishments in the country — but his career has not been focussed entirely on education. He worked for nine years in sports marketing in the UK, in London and Dubai, including involvement with England Hockey and both the cricket and rugby world cups. 'The perfect time' to gain his teaching qualifications arose once he met his wife, who had recently re-trained as a primary school teacher. Returning to the UK, he gained his PGCE in London and his first post was at Rugby School, as an economics teacher. Promotion to assistant headmaster followed, before he secured the headship at Kelly College, now Mount Kelly. He has also been 'heavily involved' in the state education sector, serving as a governor at Lodge Park Academy, where he chaired its academic standards committee. His commercial background, he believes, will bring a key strength to the role. 'I think it's really important to get a real feel for what's going on in a school through teaching, and I am teaching here, which lots of heads don't do, but ultimately, you are managing a big business with a turnover of some £8 to £9-million, so my background commercially is very important. 'It certainly gives me a wider perspective in the role schools play, not only in the local and national context, but globally,' saud Mark. His aim is to make Mount Kelly one of the great, Westcountry schools, the 'destination of choice' through the provision of excellence and the highest quality opportunities across the board. 'Although I have only been in the profession seven years, I love my teaching and I am passionate about raising standards. 'The key is to have happy, content, successful and productive children. If you get that right, everyone is happy.' As a new educational establishment, Mount Kelly will be facing inspection within a very short time. The knowledge brings its own pressures, but Mark is confident the school will not be found wanting in any way. 'As I said to the staff, inspections are a great opportunity to show off what you are good at,' he said. He said he was 100% committed to securing a 50metre Olympic legacy pool for Mount Kelly, and said that discussions with Sport England regarding the project were ongoing, as were negotiations regarding the construction of a new all weather hockey pitch and pavilion on the former Kelly Prep School site. These projects, the unrivalled beauty of the school's setting and a healthy 20% increase in student numbers following the merger of the two schools, coupled with the aim of instilling a culture, both in staff and students, of 'doing your best every day', would indicate the new head's optimism for the future seems well-founded. 'You should never rest on your laurels — that's the same in school or business. You can't stand still, it's about fostering a culture of continual improvement — it's a key skill for life,' he said.