22nd Oct 2025
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 a list of thoughtful questions that we ask our alumni focusing on their lives, successes, and the school’s influence.
Name: Cameron Shanks
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House: 2006-1019
Current Occupation: Police Officer
In what ways did your experience at Belmont House School help to shape your personal and professional development?
My time in the Belmont Family were amongst the best of my life so far! The small class sizes really allows a one to one teaching aspect especially as you get higher in the secondary school. The extra miles the teachers go for you as an individual student is beyond measure. At Belmont, you get to know every single student and staff member right from Junior 1 to Senior 5 when I left, which I think is something you won’t find in many other schools. It’s nice that you are able to go back into the junior school to help the next cohort of purple blazers come through the school.
Could you tell us about the path you have taken since leaving Belmont, and how your time at the school prepared you for those next steps?
Since leaving Belmont in June 2019, I moved into a sports turf science and green-keeping career for 5 years, before moving on to become a Police Officer, where I currently am just now. I absolutely love my job with many different aspects due to the role I carry out. My time at Belmont definitely encouraged my confidence and has given me the strength and ability to handle some difficult situations within my job.
Are there particular teachers, subjects, or experiences at Belmont that you feel made a lasting impact on you?
Mrs Julie Smart, Head of Music will forever have a lasting impact on me personally, but I know for many of my year group also. Her classroom was the space in the school that many of called home for our time there, where she allowed us to have free reign of the practice rooms to sit, chill, do and studying as a group, as well as school show time, being the place where all the excitement happened. Her classroom for many was the beating heart of Belmont. She truly is one of a kind, and someone who looked out for all of her students, whether they took music or not! I could mention many other names, right across the school. The teaching staff are excellent there.
What guidance would you offer to current Belmont pupils as they look ahead to their future studies and careers?
If there’s a specific career you want to follow, read up on it, get in contact with former pupils if they are in the profession you want to explore. I certainly would be more than happy to chat to anyone who’s thinking of a career in the police.
What does being part of the Belmont House School alumni community mean to you today?
A great deal. It’s nice that the school have the idea to keep in contact with former pupils, keeping the purple family connected.
Our thanks to Cameron 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
