Stability and Progression
Once a boy or girl has been offered a place at Belmont there are no further assessments in order to move from one phase to the next so that a pupil's progress through the school can continue smoothly. All pupils follow a well-defined curriculum that ultimately leads towards GCSE level in Year 11. For further details about the curriculum in Years 1 - 9, please take a look at our Curriculum Enrichment booklet below:
Curriculum Enrichment Booklet 2023_0.pdf
To assist with our internal tracking of pupils, we ask them to undertake cognitive assessments early in the academic year.
| Years 3 - 6 | Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) |
| Years 7 - 9 | Middle Years Information System (MIDYIS) |
| Years 10 - 11 | Year 11 Indicator System (YELLIS) |
Collecting data annually allows us to carefully monitor and track the progress of pupils on an individual and cohort basis so that strengths are identified and built upon whilst other trends may emerge which require consolidation.
These assessments are standardised against national sampling. Scores in the range of 90 – 110 are considered to be average and a standardised score of 100 is considered to be the mid-point of the average.
In the 2021-22 academic year, Belmont’s mean standardised score was 104.
In 2023, Belmont enjoyed an 80% GCSE pass rate, which was 13% above the national average. Read more about it here.
Scholarships
Prospective and current pupils may apply for Year 7 and 9 entry scholarships for academic, sporting, musical, dramatic, artistic or all round excellence and are based upon emerging potential and skill being shown. The deadline for scholarship applications is the 31st December prior to the year of entry.
Our Pedagogy
The teaching and curriculum at Belmont is vibrant and multi-sensory, blending traditional methods with cutting edge pedagogic techniques using technology in a safe and effective way.
All pupils from Year 2 are required to have an electronic device alongside a traditional pencil case and all classrooms benefit from interactive touch screens and Apple TV, so that we teach children how to use technology as one of a range of learning tools.
Traditional core skills are essential and pupils at Belmont have an enthusiasm for traditional modes of study as well as using modern facilities to enhance their learning. In addition to the pupils, parents also have access to our virtual learning environment so that they can, if they choose, share in their son or daughter’s learning journey both at home and at school.
Independent study or “prep” begins in Year 3 and takes place either as part of the timetable or as set tasks to be undertaken at home. This enables us to instil a strong work ethic and effective study skills at an early age, teaching pupils how to take responsibility for their own learning and what to do when meeting a challenge. Instructions for prep are sent out via the virtual learning environment with one or two tasks to be completed at home each week in the younger years. From Year 7, all pupils have prep to complete every evening and many pupils choose to stay at school to complete their prep in the evening, returning home at 8pm when all has been completed!
The weekly timetable is carefully designed in an integrated manner so that learning flows across the year groups with new material being introduced at the appropriate time, and former learning being reinforced and expanded as a child develops exponentially.
At Belmont, we believe that each pupil has much to offer, and we work hard to discover and to develop what is best in every boy and girl.
