About Belmont Grosvenor School

In Pre-Prep, parents settle children into the classrooms at 8.40am in time for the start of their school day. Children can, however, be dropped off at Before School Care from 8am where there are a variety of toys and activities for them to enjoy before lessons begin.

Prep children can either start their day at one of our many clubs and activities or be dropped off from 8am at Before School Care, for the start of their school day at 8.40am.

Registration is when our children are welcomed by staff and encouraged to share news and exchange information before beginning their first lesson or attending assembly.

School ends at 3.30pm for Pre-Prep and 4pm for Prep, but there are a vast array of after-school clubs and activities, ranging from Curtain Call, to Baking and Pop Lacrosse in which the children can participate. There is After School Care until 6pm.

The children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and benefit from a well-planned and resourced curriculum. This is enhanced by specialist teachers in music, drama, French, Forest Schools, PE and swimming.

Reception, Years 1 and 2 are based in well-equipped classrooms in Nidd, with a computer suite attached. Pre-Reception is close by in the Stables block.

Great care is taken to treat each child as an individual. Children are given every opportunity to develop interests through extra-curricular activities and our staff members are skilled at recognising and maximising every child’s unique talents.

Children at this level begin the thorough preparation for secondary school and, as they progress, lessons are increasingly taught by subject specialists.

Help and guidance is given regarding future schools and the children are prepared for a wide variety of entrance examinations and assessments.

To help in this process, Year 6 children have a day’s seminar in learning and study skills during the autumn term. They also attend a weekly exam booster class, have formal interview practice, and take “mock” assessments and exams.

As we start to see children developing, we are aware of each child’s attributes and aspirations. We are therefore able to specifically structure each child’s learning based on their individual potential.

Additionally, children are encouraged to take responsibility particularly when they become members of the school leadership team. They are trained to use their initiative and are supported in their roles ensuring that this important aspect of growing-up is given the opportunity to develop.

Before School Care 

Free morning care begins at 8am where a variety of activities and games are provided for all pupils in the Receitpion Annex to keep the children entertained until registration begins at 8.45am. Priority is given to key workers children and those pupils who are vunerable or with additional needs.  

After School Care 

Free Sibling care runs from 3:30-4:00pm for children in the Pre Prep department after which the children move to.

For Pre-Reception and Reception children After School Care is available from 4:00-5:00pm and is held in the EYFS department.  It is play based and incluedes a light snack.  This is charged at £10.00 per session.   

Homework Club for Year 1 to 6 is from 4:00-5:00pm and take place in the ICT rooms.  Children are supervised and suported in completing their homework and reading activities by the duty teacher.  This also includes a light snack.  This is charged at £10.00 per session.   

Extended Hours/Emergency Care runs from 5:00-6:00pm for children from Pre-Receiption-Year 6 and is based in the EYFS department.  Priroity is given to children of key workes and those who are vulnerable or with addition need.  This is charged at £10.00 per session and must be booked 24 hours in advance.  A charge of £20.00 will apply to this session for pupils who are not booked or collected late.  

Holiday Club

During all school holidays, an educational and fun-filled Holiday Club is available for our children. This is a fabulous opportunity for them to meet up with friends and enjoy a wide range of exciting challenges, and themed-based activities.  

Swarcliffe Hall, standing proudly on 20 acres of beautiful countryside overlooking the Nidd valley and as far afield as the York and the Yorkshire Wolds, was built in 1850 by the Greenwood family.

The current Hall is the second house on the site – with the original building, owned by the Blessard family, constructed in 1800.

With fine literary connections, Charlotte Bronte worked for a brief spell at the Hall as a governess in 1839, perhaps gaining some inspiration for her later novel Jane Eyre.

The Hall also has Royal connections. Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence visited in 1888 and 1889 when he formally opened the New Bath Hospital in Harrogate.

The impressive gardens were originally quite an attraction for Victorian and Edwardian day trippers and are still home to rare species and boast one of the largest bamboo displays in the north of England.

During the last few years, the charitable trust, which owns Belmont Grosvenor has refurbished and modernised all the facilities whilst still retaining the character, charm, and beauty of Swarcliffe Hall.

• Parents seeking a place in Magic Tree Nursery may request entrance at any time of year and will be offered sessions subject to availability.
• Parents seeking a place in Pre Reception, for the academic year in which their child turns 4, are invited to bring their child for an informal meeting with the Headmistress after which a place may be offered subject to availability. Children already in Magic Tree Nursery will automatically receive an offer of a place in Pre Reception.
• Pre Prep children (Reception to Year 2) will be invited with their parents to attend an informal meeting with the Headmistress and for the child to attend a taster/assessment session after which a place may be offered subject to availability.
• Prep children (Year 3 to Year 6) will be invited to attend an entrance assessment and taster session that will include an interview with the Headmistress. A place may be offered subject to availability and the child meeting the necessary standards for entrance.
• Subject to availability, we offer places to all children to whom we believe we can provide a relevant and suitable education, appropriate to their needs. 

Click here to read our Admissions Policy.

Supplementary Charges

After School Care: £5.00 per half hour.  This is charged from 4pm for children in Pre-Reception - Year 2 and from 4:30pm for children in Years 3-6.  The service is available until 6:00pm

Lunch: £348 per term. Lunch is available pro rated for Pre Reception children by prior arrangement.

Individual Music Lessons: £18.00 per half hour.

Personal Accident Insurance : £3.75 per term

Other charges: Occasional charges that may accrue in respect of school trips/visiting speakers or similar will usually be added to the following term's bill.

Fees can also be paid by monthly direct debit, via School Fee Plan. Please follow this link for more information and to make an online application. Please note that charges apply and also that there may be other providers of this service.

All applications for bursary places are dealt with by the School Business Manager who can be contacted at Belmont Grosvenor School, Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate, HG3 2JG, telephone:  01423 771029, email hkernaghan@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk.

All applicants will be required to complete a detailed means-test form and may be required to attend an interview. All information provided to the school in relation to bursary applications is treated confidentially.

Bursary places for each year of entry may be awarded to a small number of children. Awards will normally be made as part of the entrance examination process. However, it should be stressed that bursaries are awarded as a result of the financial need of the applicants and are not correlated to academic performance in the entrance examination (other than the requirement for applicants to pass the academic entry requirements.)

All applications for bursary places are assessed on a means tested basis and may include an interview at the School and a home visit.

There is no residence qualification; however family situations, including the number of school-aged children, the financial circumstances of both parents, and of any current partner of one or both parents, will be taken into account, along with social security benefits and other financial details such as lifestyle choices.

These will include both capital and current income. Any awards made for each year of entry will be subject to annual means testing thereafter.

As a very rough guide, combined family incomes of more than £42,000 with one school-aged child, are unlikely to qualify for bursary help.

The number of awards that can be given out each year is very limited.

Cliick here to read our Bursay Policy

We are hoping that, with the growth in technology and social media, we can create a truly global network for our alumni community. Whether you live in America or Birstwith, or left five or fifty years ago, we share a bond that transcends distance, age, occupation, and cultural background.

We hope that all Y6 leavers will take full advantage of their membership of the BGS Alumni. We also hope that they will be active alumni members and stay in touch with the school and each other; the rewards are truly lifelong and worldwide.

Spring Term 2022

Staff INSET (including MTN)  Tuesday 4th January

Term starts  Wednesday 5th January

½ Term ends Friday 18th February

½ Term Monday 21st February – Friday 25th February

½ Term starts Monday 28th February

Term ends Wednesday 6th April at 12:00noon

MTN ClosesThursday 14th April 

Summer Term 2021

MTN Staff INSET Tuesday 19th April

MTN Open Wednesday 20th  April

Staff INSET Monday 25th April  

Term starts Tuesday 26th April

Spring Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May

½ Term ends Friday 27th May

½ Term Monday 30tht May – Friday 3rd June

MTN Closed Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June  ( Spring Bank Holiday)

½ Term starts Monday 6th  June

 Term ends Friday 8th July at 12:00noon

Printable term dates 2021-2022

Printable term dates 2022-2023

Committee 2019/2020

Chair:  Kristin Klauser

Vice Chair: Emily Evans

Secretary: Linda Monts de Oca

Treasurer: Kim Johnson

Up-coming PTA events 2019/20

4th October - Pre Prep Movie Night

18th October - Prep Movie Night

8th November - Bonfire party