Our School

What Do We Believe?

Our thoughts on Education echo those expressed by Professor Bart McGettrick at the I.A.P.S. Conference in October 2005:

“Education is concerned with developing people…using systems. Systems can support change, but real change is in the hearts and minds of people Education has a moral purpose and dimension…to improve society. All people are vulnerable and even fragile. Education (and especially boarding education) is intrinsically concerned with values.

“Education is in the hearts and minds of people… not in the papers and documents of a bureaucracy. Education is fundamentally concerned with Hope, Wisdom and Justice for All.

“Amongst the most significant purposes of education are:

Forming People	Of love, care and compassion,
	With a deep sense of hope,
	Who appreciate beauty and wonder,
	Who will serve the world by their gifts.”

What Do We Say About Ourselves?

“We aim to create a happy and secure environment in which all children, boarders and day pupils, can thrive spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically. Against a background of Christian values pupils are taught to show consideration for others and to respect the feelings and property of fellow pupils, members of staff and the wider public with a view to making a positive contribution to society.

“The well-being of the individual child is central to the care we provide; and that care is the key to our success. We accentuate the positive and we deprecate the negative. We believe there is too much emphasis these days on Rights and not enough on Duties and Responsibilities. We treat the children with warmth and understanding and we value enthusiasm, tolerance and a sense of humour.”

What Have Others Said About Us?

“Parents and children incredibly happy, with masses of input from the parents… School is flourishing.”

“Pupils at Belhaven tend to make friendships that last well into later life. This is a reflection of the wholesome atmosphere with reels parties, garden plots and birthday cakes for everyone – all very jolly and lots of honest, clean fun. This is a well-run school where the vast majority board – and love it.”

“Belhaven is a slightly quirky school with an inspirational headmaster. The approach is old-fashioned; there are services in the morning and evening and grace at meals. Happiness is widespread here – although we hear that pupils can be rowdy.”

“Hogwarts for Muggles! I defy anyone to visit Belhaven Hill School without feeling they have stepped into a children’s world almost as magical as that created by J.K. Rowling.”

“Having had experience for many years of other boarding schools, I wonder if you know how very unusual Belhaven is in so many ways – not only of course in its excellent education but also in its effortless (apparently!) assumption that civilised people behave in a certain way, whatever their age, that kindness is the norm, and tolerance of other faiths, and to see unhappiness is to want to help – of course you have been told all this, but it is truly rare, believe me!”