Curriculum
Learning With Purpose
Education isn't just about passing exams - it's about learning to think, question, and communicate. It's about developing a curious mind and the confidence to use it.
Academic Excellence
Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum and prepares children thoroughly for Common Entrance examinations, with consistently strong results that open doors to the UK's best senior schools.
But we go deeper. Based on the classical trivium Knowledge, Questioning, and Communication—our approach ensures children don't just learn facts; they learn how to think critically, question intelligently, and express themselves persuasively.
Core Subjects
English
Daily lessons build strong literacy foundations. From creative writing to Shakespeare, grammar to public speaking, children develop confidence with the written and spoken word.
Mathematics
Systematic teaching ensures every child masters mathematical concepts while developing problem-solving skills and logical thinking that serves them across all subjects.
Science
Hands-on experimentation and enquiry-based learning bring Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to life. Our well-equipped labs and specialist teaching inspire future scientists.
Languages
French from the earliest years and Latin in the Prep School open windows onto other cultures and deepen understanding of language structure and history.
Humanities
History, Geography, and RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) encourage children to think about the world beyond themselves—its past, its people, and the big questions that matter.
Stem and Digital Learning
Our new, creative Makerspace and 1:1 iPad programme (carefully monitored with Lightspeed security) enable hands-on computational thinking and problem-solving.
Our STEM teaching and state-of-the-art Makerspace has meant Belhaven has been awarded 2nd place in ‘Best for Innovation’ in The Week’s Best of the Best UK Prep Schools (2026).
Children program robots, create animations, and learn to harness technology as a tool for creativity and exploration. Inspired by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, our hands-on STEM learning connects to real-world challenges.
We are lucky to have a range of resources including Spheros, Micro:Bits, and four 3D printers, which allow the children to be actively engaged with technology. Personal iPads, coupled with platforms like Teams, OneNote and Book Creator facilitate independence in their work as well as allowing for digital collaborative work.
MUSIC
More than 95% of Prep Pupils Have Individual Instrument Lessons
The Music School at Belhaven is surely one of the largest and best equipped of any Prep School in the UK.
Every pupil enjoys two timetabled Music lessons per week. In addition, more than 95% of Prep pupils have individual instrumental lessons with visiting specialist teachers.
Lessons are available in: Piano, Voice, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Chanter, Bagpipes, Pipe Band Drumming, Guitar and all Percussion instruments.
From first tentative notes to confident performances, we nurture each child's musical journey.
Ensembles & Choirs
Orchestra, chamber groups, jazz band, and choirs provide opportunities for collaborative music-making. Regular concerts give children the thrill of performing for an audience.
At Belhaven there are numerous ways in which a child can perform, either individually or as part of a music group.
Try an Instrument Day
Every year, children experiment with every instrument taught at Belhaven. You never know what might spark a lifelong passion.
ART & DESIGN
Our Art Room, perched above the sea with views to the Bass Rock, inspires creativity daily. Specialist teaching and our Advanced Art programme for talented pupils ensure every child can express themselves visually, experiment with different media, and develop genuine skill.
From sculpture to printmaking, painting to digital design, we celebrate artistic expression in all its forms.
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.” (Charles Mingus)
DRAMA
Theatre teaches confidence, empathy, and the joy of collaborative creativity. From impromptu performances in the common room to full-scale productions with lights, sound, and costumes, every child has chances to shine - whether in leading roles or as part of the ensemble.
Every year, we aim to provide each child with an experience of performing whether it be on a stage or outdoors; in a play, musical, poetry recital or our wonderful Spoken English Competition.
“Belhaven excels in producing confident and articulate young children." (Parent)
We believe every child should experience the magic of taking a bow to an audience's applause!
LEARNING SUPPORT
Available to every child, our Learning Support is for anyone who'll benefit from additional challenge or support. Small class sizes mean teachers spot exactly what each child needs, and our specialist staff ensure everyone progresses at the pace that's right for them.
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 are also in-class support and small group activities such as spelling, times tables and typing clubs.
Learning Support is about enabling our pupils to be the best they can be and giving them the skills and strategies they need to excel in an increasingly demanding world.
“The learning support and nurturing pastoral care is outstanding at Belhaven. Both my children have really needed a real wrap around comfort blanket of learning support and Mrs Leitch is a class act with her team on all fronts providing what is needed to boost and encourage the learning and confidence too at school and at home. I don't think there have been any stones left unturned in the quest to help our oldest feel more relaxed, happy and engaged in school life inside and outside the classroom.” (Belhaven Parent)
Belhaven was delighted to be one of two runners-up in The Week Awards for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision (2025).
Our SEN team (ASN in Scotland) is phenomenal and invested heavily in areas like Dyslexia, Literacy Support and Catch-Up Numeracy. Consequently, children receiving tailored support are often amongst our highest achievers when it comes to Common Entrance. Some support is delivered in class, in group sessions out of class, via our Superpowers Club and yet more in one-to-one scenarios around the School.
The result? Children who are academically strong, intellectually curious, and ready for whatever comes next.
