Belmont is proud of its reputation for both performing and visual arts and we celebrate these aspects of school life not only daily but also with a biannual Belartis Festival in the Trinity Term. All pupils participate in the Belartis Festival and we have visiting professionals who lead workshops for boys and girls across the age range enabling the entire school community to celebrate and engender a passion for creativity.
Art and Design
Art and Design are taught from the Early Years by specialist teachers and pupils are introduced to Art, Design, Design Technology, Ceramics, Photography, Fine Art and Textiles. Various media are explored during the course of a pupil’s life at Belmont including sketching, silk screen painting, ceramics, water colours and photography.
Pupils with a recognised talent are prepared at scholarship level and many pupils are encouraged to enter into a wide range of competitions and initiatives. Clubs and trips for children of all abilities run alongside internal opportunities which seek to enhance the abilities of the most able artists.
Music and the Performing Arts
Musical performance plays a very important part in school life. Class music teaching is offered to boys and girls from the Early Years by our specialist music staff and all pupils are encouraged to learn a musical instrument from Year 2. There are several choirs and instrumental groups and many varied opportunities are provided for pupils to perform both in a safe informal environment and to a wider audience in a more formal assembly, competition or concert.
Drama is one of the major strengths of our school and there are performances for all year groups at least twice per year. Pupils are encouraged not only to act but also to become involved in set design, painting, lighting, sound and backstage management, learning to prepare stage sets and to discover new skills. The major school productions are open to all pupils and are a key catalyst to discovering hidden talent.
LAMDA lessons are available as an option and are enjoyed by many pupils either in a small group or at an individual level. LAMDA supports the work of the English Department in promoting public speaking and debate as key skills to be acquired by all pupils.
Our dance academy is second to none and enables both boys and girls to enjoy the pursuit of ballet, tap and modern dance media. Children may begin dance classes from the Early Years onwards and we encourage dance alongside the other performing arts as a means to develop self-confidence, self-expression and an appreciation of beauty and aesthetics.
