Our School curriculum and ethos promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and prepares all pupils for the opportunities and responsibilities within their lives. Our principal aims are:
- To provide a healthy, happy, safe and caring environment for children and young people, and to maximise opportunities for stimulation, enjoyment, and achievement both individually and collectively;
- To promote successful and enjoyable learning through a curriculum designed to meet the needs of our 21st century learners;
- To ensure that the academic curriculum is enriched by sport, performing arts, visual arts and other cultural and creative pastimes;
- To provide a broad and balanced education for pupils, across a wide range of intellectual capabilities enabling them to gain entry to their preferred Sixth Form College or Senior School;
- To equip all our pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary as they move into further education (16+) and the workplace and for the future;
- To produce well-rounded, confident, independent, polite and friendly children and young people ready to take on the challenges ahead of them and to make a positive contribution to the society in which they will play a part.
Belmont Boarding Objectives and Principles
We seek to uphold Belmont’s fundamental Ethos and Aims. For every child who boards at Belmont, our objectives are:
- To foster an open and trusting ethos in which each boarder feels able to approach any member of the community (staff or pupil), confident in the knowledge that they will be treated and respected as an individual.
- To create an atmosphere of tolerance, openness and trust in which teasing, harassment and bullying have no place.
- To provide a homely, welcoming environment in which boarders feel able to relax and be themselves, whilst considering the needs of others.
- To safeguard the welfare of each boarder, by providing an environment that is, as far as possible, free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort.
- To provide accommodation that is comfortable and suitable for the needs of the boarders and which provides appropriate levels of privacy, according to their age and maturity.
- To develop boarders’ awareness of self, the wider world and the needs of others.
- To provide a range of activities, events and outings that allow opportunities for boarders to develop as individuals and as part of a team whilst making boarding a fun and enriching experience for every boarder.
- To develop a partnership with parents of boarders which is underpinned by close communication and is of benefit to the individual child.
These objectives are achieved through key principles:
- At Belmont, each boarder has the right to thrive and to develop in an open and trusting environment, at their own pace, whilst being mindful of the impact of their behaviour on others.
- At Belmont, each boarder has the right to be able to play, to work, and to relax free from abuse, intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying.
- At Belmont, each member of the boarding community (staff and pupils) is expected to set high personal standards.
- At Belmont, each member of the boarding community (staff and pupils) acknowledges that we all make occasional mistakes. We must be prepared to admit to and learn from our mistakes.
- At Belmont, the best set of outcomes for each boarder is achieved via a close partnership with parents.
- At Belmont, good behaviour should be recognised, rewarded and built upon.
- At Belmont, each boarder has the right to feel valued as part of the community.
- At Belmont, we are committed to equal treatment for all, regardless of a candidate’s sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or social background.
Safeguarding Boarders and Day Children
All members of boarding and day staff are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at all times. All members of boarding and day staff are aware of our Safeguarding Policy and receive regular safeguarding training. Minor concerns are recorded on a daily basis in the “Boarding Log”, reviewed daily by the Head of Boarding and weekly by the Deputy Head Pastoral. Any member of day or boarding staff with a concern about the welfare of a young person is required to record their concerns or observations and to discuss their concern with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as soon as possible. If the issue concerns a child and is urgent, the Head of Boarding or the Headmistress should be approached in the DSL’s place. The prime concern at all times is the interests and safety of the child.