28th Nov 2025
In this alumni spotlight, we catch up with former Belmont House pupil, Ellie Stewart, to hear how their school experience influenced their personal and professional path
Name: Ellie Stewart
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House School: 2016 -2025
Occupation: Currently studying International Business Management
In what ways did your experience at Belmont House School help to shape your personal and professional development?
My Belmont experience played a huge role in shaping my personal development. I was lucky enough to have been taught by the amazing teachers at Belmont, they never gave up on me and through watching their example taught me a lot about patience and resilience. Being School Captain taught me so much; I learnt leadership, became more independent, and how to collaborate effectively in a team. One of the biggest lessons I took away from Belmont was the value of kindness and I learnt this primarily from the Junior School students with their smiles and simple acts of kindness. Everyone supporting each other, being one big team and the sense of community has stayed with me ever since.
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, I’ve gone on to study International Business Management with a year abroad at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. My time at Belmont helped prepare me for this in many ways. With teacher support, I learnt the importance of meeting deadlines, managing my time effectively, and staying organised so that my workload remains manageable. Beyond academics, Belmont taught me the value of interpersonal skills and the importance of ‘putting yourself out there’. The confidence I gained in speaking with others, whether it was classmates, teachers, visitors or school performances, has made it much easier to connect with new people at university.
Are there particular teachers, subjects, or experiences at Belmont that you feel made a lasting impact on you?
Without a doubt, Mr Lee. He was the person who first opened my eyes to the possibility of studying business at university and encouraged me to do so. In fact, he was the one who truly sparked my love for the subject. My favourite memory from school was the business and music trip he organised with Mrs Smart to New York – it was truly unforgettable and was 100% the highlight of my school career. Mr Lee was also my tutor during my later years at Belmont, and he was always there with encouragement, advice, and a genuine willingness to listen and help. He taught me to work hard for what I want and, most importantly, to believe in myself. His support and belief in me have made a lasting impact, and it’s something I will carry with me wherever I go.
What guidance would you offer to current Belmont pupils as they look ahead to their future studies and careers?
If you are planning to go to university, my biggest piece of advice is to choose a course that genuinely interests you. Definitely go to as many open days as you can for the universities you’re considering. When I visited Heriot-Watt for the first time, I got a gut felling that it was the right place for me (the same feeling I got at my taster day for Belmont), and that really helped me make my decision. Seeing the campus and getting a sense of the atmosphere can make a real difference.
Beyond that, enjoy your time at Belmont while it lasts! We all look back on it with fondness and remember all the good memories and laughs we had so don’t take it for granted.
What does being part of the Belmont House School alumni community mean to you today?
Being part of the Belmont alumni means a lot to me because it reminds me that I was part of something really special. Belmont was always a close-knit and supportive team, so staying connected through the alumni helps keep that sense of connection going. Also, it’s great to have the chance to attend reunions, catch up with old classmates, and see our teachers again. What I love is being able to share stories and experiences with other former pupils, especially those who left Belmont many years before me. It’s great to see how Belmont connects us all, no matter when we were there.
Our thanks to Ellie 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
