15th Jan 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 seven thoughtful questions that we ask our alumni focusing on their lives, successes, and the school’s influence.
Name: Jennifer Johnston
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House: 2016-2022
Current Occupation: Sales Consultant/Estate Agent at Corum Property
How did your time at Belmont House School shape your career path?
My time at Belmont has helped me exceptionally in my life after school. The teaching I received from Mr Lee in business management, inspired me to pursue a career in sales. Business was a subject I was always fascinated by and I knew this was a path I would love to explore. The skills I use at work are the same as I learned during my time at school in both Business Management and Administration and IT.
Can you share a key moment or memory from your time at Belmont that had a lasting impact on you?
It is hard to pick out just one, I had the most amazing experience at Belmont. I had a great group of friends, amazing teachers, became part of the schools volleyball team and a chance to pick a range of subjects which suited my interests. The 6 years I spent at Belmont will always be so special to me.
What skills or lessons learned at Belmont have been most valuable in your professional life?
The most valuable skills I learned have been centered around time management, communication, and adaptability. Balancing coursework with extracurricular activities taught me how to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and stay organised, which has been crucial in my professional life. High school also provided countless opportunities to hone my verbal and written communication skills, from class presentations to group projects, preparing me for effective collaboration in the workplace.
In what ways did Belmont House School’s community or culture contribute to your personal growth?
Belmont’s community and culture is something that I don’t think you can find at other schools. The inclusivity and supportive environment at Belmont makes it feel like you’re part of a family. This, in turn, created a lot of respect within our class which meant we were much more confident and able to take risks. Exposure to different perspectives helped me develop greater empathy, confidence, and a stronger sense of identity. My time at Belmont let me explore my strengths, confront my weaknesses, and build the resilience and social skills that continue to guide my personal and professional life.
Can you describe how Belmont’s teachers or extracurricular activities helped shape your future ambitions?
Miss Dyson was a huge part of my time at Belmont, she was like my mentor. She always pushed me to try new things, such as volleyball and athletics which I ended up really loving. This very simple yet effective saying to ‘always try new things’, which I was told often by Miss Dyson, has really impacted my future ambitions. I am always open to new opportunities and new ideas. This year I am taking the next step to learn how to become a Negotiator.
What advice would you give to current Belmont students who want to follow a similar path to yours?
My biggest advice would be, if you are not enjoying something you are doing, there is always another path. I have tried a few different career paths before I have found the one that works for me. It is your life so you need to enjoy it. Make sure you are working hard, challenging yourself, but most importantly having fun in what you’re doing and exploring new opportunities that life may bring to you.
Looking back, how do you feel Belmont House School prepared you for the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced in life?
My time at Belmont not only helped me receive great higher grades, but also set me up with all the social and mental skills I will need to go into adulthood. Learning how to be resilient and believing in yourself has helped me face obstacles and grow as a person.
Our thanks to Jennifer for sharing her 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
