Curriculum

The Belhaven Curriculum Circle
Link here to the Belhaven Curriculum Circle which provides a structure for teachers based on the ancient principles of the trivium and informs the planning of inspirational lessons fit for the 21st century. 

Subjects
Click on the links below for information on the subjects taught at Belhaven:

• Art
  Art

  Positioned with stunning views across to the beautiful Belhaven Bay and Bass Rock, the Art School at Belhaven is a lovely, bright and stimulating space in which creativity blossoms.

  The children are encouraged to express themselves and experiment with materials and techniques. Whilst exploring the visual world, the focus is on experiences and providing opportunity for inspiration and enjoyment.

  Click here for further information and to view our galleries.

• Classics
  Latin and Greek
  Classics

  Ipsa scientia potestas est:
  knowledge itself is power.

  Belhaven has a dynamic Classics department with an excellent Common Entrance and Scholarship record.  The department works hard to keep Classics at the forefront of the curriculum within the school and this involves not only providing a rigorous and organised approach to teaching the subject, but also maintaining a realistic, innovative and up-to-date awareness of how to enthuse today's children of all abilities.  Teaching consists of a blend of styles, ranging from textbook work to using the very latest resources on iPads and fun language and word-games.

  Please click here for further information.

• Design and Technology
  Design and Technology

  "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."

  Charles Mingus

  At the heart of Design Technology education is the engagement of children with practical tasks that lead to products that serve a need, solve a problem or, in a word, 'work'. To be successful at this, children need specific skills such as being able to measure and cut accurately and being able to work with other members of a team.

  At Belhaven Hill Design Technology is taught to Forms 6, 5, 4 and 3.

  Please click here for further information.

• Drama
  Drama

  Drama connects to every subject and to every child. Whether it is from playing the lead in the school play to having the confidence to put your hand up in class - Drama is essential.

  (Mrs Anna McGrath)

  
  In line with our Vision for Drama, from September 2021, each year group will have one scheduled Drama lesson per week. The aim is to bring the page to the stage; maybe it is helping Form 1 students unpick the complexities of Shakespearean characters or working with Form 6 exploring friendships and social skills. Using drama as a tool to unlock our communication skills.

  Click here for more information

• English
  English

  English? Who needs that? I'm never going to England.

  (Homer Simpson, The Simpsons)

  Whether going to England or not, English is an international, dynamic, multi-faceted, fun language for all, and this is mirrored in the teaching and learning of English at Belhaven Hill.

  The overriding goal of the English Department is to instil a love and appreciation of both the spoken and written word, while ensuring that by the time pupils leave Belhaven Hill they are equipped to speak, read and write skilfully and confidently.

  Please click here for further information.

• French
  French

  The beauty of teaching modern languages today is that there is an abundance of interactive and stimulating resources at hand to draw upon.

  At Belhaven Hill we aim to make the learning of French lively and fun through games, songs, videos, ICT programmes, group work (and the odd bit of necessary traditional paper and pen!)

  Please click here for further information.

• Geography
  Geography

  "Geography is the study of the earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environment. It is, quite simply, about the World in which we live."

  Royal Geographical Society

  At Belhaven, Geography encourages pupils to develop a sense of place, both locally and globally, helping to cultivate an understanding of the physical and human processes which shape our World. A range of different teaching and learning styles is used to stimulate pupils to learn about the World and to promote environmental responsibility, sustainable development and cultural awareness.

  Please click here for further information.

• History
  History

  "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."

  Winston Churchill

  
  At Belhaven Hill history is considered to be of great importance. The past influences all aspects of our lives. It shapes the customs and beliefs of the communities to which we belong. Learning about the past and the methods used to study it help pupils make sense of the world in which they live.
  
  At Belhaven we use history to teach us, among other things, responsible citizenship and an improved grasp of cause and effect. It also provides a grasp of other welcome disciplines, not least independent thinking.

  Please click here for further information.

• Learning Support
  Learning Support

  Learning Support at Belhaven is for all pupils; those who excel, those with identified needs and everybody in between. One of the joys of Belhaven is that small class numbers ensure no pupil slips through the net and every pupil who requires support can get it.

  
  Pupils attending "The Hub" receive support with core literacy and numeracy skills, as well as emotional literacy, study skills, and support with any subject area proving a particular challenge at any given time. There is also in-class support and small group activities such as spelling, times tables and typing clubs on offer.

  Please click here for further information.

• Mathematics
  Mathematics

  The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple.

  (Stan Gudder)

  Maths at Belhaven is ...

  great because you get to do challenging work

  the best because if you find things hard the teacher really helps you

  the best subject

  not too easy but not too hard

  fun because we use the activities on the IWB to help us understand topics

  'What if maths teachers are really pirates and they only want us to find x to help them locate the treasure?'

  The underlying aim of the department is to make Maths enjoyable and to teach it through understanding.

  Please click here for further information.

• Music
  Music

  The Music School at Belhaven Hill is surely one of the largest and best equipped of any Prep School in the UK.

  There are 8 Music Practice Rooms, each with a piano, a fully equipped Percussion Suite, a Recording Studio and a large Keyboard Suite with 16 new electric keyboards.

  All this is in addition to the main music classroom and rehearsal space. This large room can seat over 100 people comfortably, with 60 chairs permanently set up for rehearsals. It has a large Yamaha grand piano, a stage piano, and desks for 30 pupils that face the interactive whiteboard for when music theory or composing is taught.

  For further information click here.

• Outdoor Education
  Outdoor Education

  Come rain or shine, all of the children have one lesson of Outdoor Education per week.

  During this they learn a range of vital life skills - from identifying flora and fauna to cooking on camp stoves; from outdoor games to building emergency shelters, all accompanied by hot chocolate and the endlessly fascinating process of lighting and maintaining a fire.

  Please click here for further information.

• Physical Education
  Physical Education

  "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."

  Aristotle

  At Belhaven Hill the Physical Education programme is designed to complement the Games programme, and to offer varied experiences in other activities. The school believes that physical education, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is vital and unique in its contribution to a pupil's physical and emotional development and health.

  Please click here for further information.

• Religious Studies
  Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
  Religious Studies

  "A friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty:"

  Mahatma Gandhi

  
  Religious Studies at Belhaven is now called Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS). This means, whilst still looking at The Bible and studying other world religions, we delve deeper into the moral aspects or messages of our 'Topical Themes'.
  
  As the children get older they ask questions of the core texts which reflect on the lives of great religious and inspirational leaders bringing a more contemporary feel to the subject.

  Please click here for further information.

• Science
  Science

  "Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.”

  (Edwin Powell Hubble)

  At Belhaven Hill, children are encouraged to join the adventure. After all, science pervades our lives and it is important that we know something about it and why it always has an impact on our lives.

  The adage "If it's green or wriggles, it's biology. If it stinks, it's chemistry. If it doesn't work, it's physics..." holds fairly true, though the physics department might add that they'll also fix it.

  Science should be fun and we believe at Belhaven that it is.

  Please click here for further information.

• STEM
  STEM

  "Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” - Socrates

  Embark on a STEM journey at Belhaven Hill School, where curiosity is the key to problem-solving and wonder sparks the path to wisdom.

  STEM is taught from Form 6 through to Form 1, imparting not only subject knowledge and but also essential skills which are useful throughout life.

  Please click here for further information.