Mount Kelly international school in Hong Kong has told families that it is no longer related to Mount Kelly in the UK and will be relaunched under a new name, The Standard in Hong Kong reports.
The school, which opened under a franchise agreement with its UK counterpart in 2017, said that after the change in ownership to Lord Global Group in September last year, it will no longer be known as Mount Kelly HK. It has not yet announced its new name.
School supervisor Chen Jiner said Lord Global Group decided to change the school’s name following a number of finance-related problems and controversies under the school’s previous owners.
Guy Ayling, headmaster of Mount Kelly in the UK, said although the contract was terminated with its Hong Kong counterpart in October, his school would “continue to assist to ensure a smooth transition”.
He told School Management Plus in an email: “It was not until we were in touch with the new owners that we were able to have constructive conversations about the future (which for us could only mean a separation). “Dropping the MK name is exactly what we want.”
Asked for a general comment on the split, Mr Ayling added: “It has been an interesting journey and we are pleased that there has been an amicable conclusion.”
Mount Kelly Hong Kong was Mount Kelly UK’s first overseas campus, offering all-through education.
Mount Kelly Japan, a boarding school, is due to open this year, the school’s website says. Other off-shoots of the Tavistock boarding school are planned for Malaysia, China and Vietnam, the site suggests.
Mount Kelly HK has been contacted for comment.
