Pastoral Care

At Belmont we believe that a child who is happy and safe in their environment will flourish; Pastoral Care is at the core of everything we do at Belmont.

It starts with our school values: Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You. These principles are reinforced through our robust pastoral curriculum, overseen by a dedicated team of form tutors who often serve as the initial point of contact for both pupils and parents. In the Lower School (Years 3, 4, and 5), children spend the majority of their day with their Form Tutor. As pupils transition to the Upper School (Years 6, 7, and 8), they begin to cultivate independence and interact with different teachers for each subject.

Form tutors are supported by either the Head of Lower School or the Heads of Year, individuals who possess a comprehensive understanding of each specific year group. Furthermore, the Assistant Head, Wellbeing, and the Deputy Head, Pastoral work closely in collaboration with form tutors to guarantee that every pupil receives the necessary and tailored support.

We educate our pupils, offer support to their parents, and empower our staff to navigate the challenges associated with early years and adolescence. This includes addressing aspects like social media usage and setting boundaries for technology use. Our emphasis is on encouraging pupils to actively engage in the diverse range of extracurricular activities available, enabling them to discover their interests, feel valued, and foster confidence and high self-esteem.

We emphasise the importance of building positive relationships and maintaining timely and effective communication with parents, recognising that these elements are crucial for providing the best possible care for our pupils. Regular meetings are scheduled between parents and teachers, encouraging parents to openly communicate any concerns they may have.

Our commitment extends to consistently collaborating with parents to address the challenges their children may encounter. In addition to implementing a comprehensive program of talks and workshops as part of the PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) Programme, we actively organise informative talks and events specifically designed for parents. This multi-faceted approach ensures that we work together seamlessly to support the holistic development and wellbeing of each pupil at Belmont.

The House system at Belmont adds an extra layer of pastoral care, with Heads of House actively supporting and overseeing the personal development of each pupil. The overarching goal of our House system is to foster a sense of belonging, acknowledging and celebrating individual strengths while encouraging students to contribute to the broader school community.

At Belmont, we have six Houses, and pupils have the opportunity to represent their Houses in various competitions. Whether it's academic, sports, drama, debating, art, or music, our pupils enthusiastically embrace these challenges.

Pupils attend weekly assemblies at Belmont which celebrate pupil achievements and a theme of the week is delivered. Our themes range from diversity and charity to current affairs, historical events and British values. Our themes are often linked to PSHE or they may raise awareness of a national week of celebration such as Children’s Mental Health or Internet Safety. Pupils often support assemblies, and we have designated weeks where the School Council will lead on an elected topic.

An additional opportunity to congregate as a year group occurs in weekly Chapel assemblies. These may be led by our Chaplain, Heads of Year or a teacher who has a special interest they wish to share.

The Belmont Chapel is also a wellbeing hub with a sensory area where pupils can come to regulate their emotions. Our assembly and Chapel time is hugely valuable to the pupils’ growth both personally and spiritually. We are a multi-faith school that celebrates all religions, cultures and faiths and it is wonderful to share these beliefs when we come together.