13th Aug 2026
As we approach our centenary year at Belmont House School, we wanted to look back, and reconnect with former pupils, near and far.
Here we have seven thoughtful questions that we ask our alumni focusing on their lives, successes, and the school’s influence.
Name: Barnaby Jones
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House: 2020 – 2026 (School Captain 2026)
Current Occupation: Student of Chemistry at University of St Andrews
How did your time at Belmont House School shape your career path?
Starting at Belmont, I was quite aware of what I was good at – maths, problem-solving, and remembering things. However, I hadn’t had the chance to do much science at primary school. When Mr Cavers introduced me to S1 Science, I decided that that was what I was meant to go on and do. Throughout my time at school I swithered between Physics and Chemistry, but decided on Chemistry due to the ‘making stuff’ aspect of the subject. My time at Belmont taught me to be curious, and never to stop seeking new knowledge, which is why I aspire to complete a PhD after my time at St Andrews.
Can you share a key moment or memory from your time at Belmont that had a lasting impact on you?
Becoming School Captain was one of the most incredible moments of my life. I’ll never forget how I felt when my name was announced – utterly ecstatic. It was a snap transition from being an everyday Belmont pupil looking up, to being a figure of seniority at the school and a role model for others who were just like me. It was a chance to include, inspire and look after my peers, for which I will be forever grateful. There simply is no opportunity like it. The role itself taught me to be resilient in the face of any adversity, and overcoming its challenges taught me that if I worked hard and didn’t give up, I could achieve great things. I learned how to be a true leader, connect with others, and step out of my comfort zone. There is no doubt that my School Captaincy has shaped the person I am, and the person I will go on to become.
What skills or lessons learned at Belmont have been most valuable in your professional life?
I’ve learned to respect the time of others – there was a lot of communication involved in being School Captain, and I had to make sure I didn’t take too much of anyone’s time. I’ve also learned that there is a distinct difference between being organised and being busy, and that the former is far more preferable.
In what ways did Belmont House School’s community or culture contribute to your personal growth?
Being in a tight-knit school like Belmont makes it really easy to find people who are feeling excluded and welcome them. This has made me more perceptive, aware, and considerate. The environment that the School promotes also ensured that I – as someone who is awkward and quirky with quite niche interests – found my tribe. This made me much more social and able to communicate with others than being bullied for my personality ever would have.
Can you describe how Belmont’s teachers or extracurricular activities helped shape your future ambitions?
Belmont’s staff team truly is one of a kind. Each and every member of staff is so committed, hardworking and genuinely selfless. They care deeply about the success and welfare of their pupils, and that has a profound impact on everyone who wears the purple blazer. To have teachers who were so encouraging, who taught in such a straightforward manner, and who made school a pleasant place to be has fuelled my drive to learn new things, be curious, and dig deep. I would not be looking to pursue a career as an academic if not for the love of learning embedded in me by Belmont’s teachers.
In particular, Mr Cavers kept Physics engaging throughout all six years of my time in his class; he has an incredible way of explaining complex concepts to make them interesting and comprehensible. Mrs Seenan and Miss D’Alton sought out every opportunity they could to involve me in supercurricular Chemistry – including the RSC Top of the Bench competition, the Chemistry Olympiad, the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, and the Young STEM Leader Qualification. Mr Stevenson and Mrs McCarry were instrumental in doing the same for Maths, and I thoroughly enjoyed every UKMT competition I took part in.
Although my academic life was the core of my time at the School, extracurriculars made Belmont my home. Mrs Smart deeply inspired me through Choir, encouraging me to become more confident and to care less about what others thought of me. Most of my lifelong friends at Belmont came through Choir as well. The Drama Group – led by Miss Millar – was phenomenal during my time at the School, giving me the opportunity to participate in three different shows. They made me far less self-conscious, which sparked my ability to tackle daunting tasks without fear.
What advice would you give to current Belmont students who want to follow a similar path to yours?
You must commit yourself fully to the pursuit and achievement of your goals. It’s an ugly truth, but no matter how talented you are, if you have too much going on, you will not be able to fully dedicate yourself to any one thing. You can be a good all-rounder, absolutely, but you significantly decrease your chances of achieving larger goals. If you decide what you want to do early, convince yourself that you’re good enough to do it (you almost certainly will be), and do absolutely everything in your power to achieve it – and I mean everything, which includes making a few sacrifices along the way – then you will go a lot further in that one area than someone who throws themselves into everything.
Looking back, how do you feel Belmont House School prepared you for the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced in life?
The challenges I overcame made me stronger and more resilient. Every opportunity I took to engage in School life made me more involved, committed, and connected. Being tested in all aspects of my school career at increasingly difficult levels enhanced my work ethic more than anything else could have. The friends I made formed a vital support network that helped me mature and better communicate with others. I am thoroughly grateful for every aspect of Belmont that makes it what it is, and has made me who I am.
Our thanks to Barnaby for sharing their experiences – would you like to feature as part of our Alumni of Belmont House School? Please feel free to get in touch with Richard Doak via email: RDoak@belmontschool.co.uk
