Belvidere’s relationship with our students shouldn’t end when they celebrate their GCSE results. We would like encourage them to stay in touch and help inspire our current students.
We love hearing how our past pupils are getting on and welcome their success stories. If you are an
ex-student of Belvidere School, no matter how long ago, and would like to share your news, memories or photos with us and see them featured on this website please email the school reception@belvidere.shropshire.sch.uk
Include the year you left Belvidere, a short paragraph on what you have done since you left and a picture if possible.
Sports Day Shield Winners | |
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2020 | CANCELLED |
2019 | Ludlow |
2018 | Stokesay |
2017 | Stokesay |
2016 | Stokesay |
2015 |
Ludlow |
2014 | Ludlow |
Name | : Cal Halbert |
Form | : V |
Year | : 2009 |
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Belvidere?
Mr Thomas and I singing constantly on the Berlin Trip.
What did you enjoy about Belvidere School?
It's hard to put it down to one thing. All in all, I had a fantastic time but I will always be biased to Mrs Young and Drama!
What do you miss the most?
Having no major concerns, worries or problems to deal with and whenever there was one of these things, the fantastic support network at Belivdere, friends and staff alike!
Did you make friends at Belvidere who are still friends today?
A few, but I lost contact with the majority of people when I moved away.
What did you do after you left School?
After Belvidere I studied at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. Once finished I move to Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Where are you now? What are you doing?
I'm now based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and working as a Comedian and Impressionist all over the country and globe!
If you could do it again what would you do differently?
I don't think so, hindsight is a remarkable thing, pointing out things left right and centre, but I doubt I would be the way I am without Belvidere School.
What advice would you give to students about making the most of their time at Belvidere/career/exams/gap year/ambition\etc.?
You can tell a lot about people from what they worry about, so don't panic about things. Also, there's no such thing as talent, hard work is all you need!
Name | : Jack Harrison |
Form | : I |
Year | : 2008 |
Name | : Rachael Hill |
Form | : L |
Year | : 2008 |
Name | : Marcus Taylor |
Form | : V |
Year | : 2006 |
What student activities were you involved in?
I was in the school orchestra, and went on several trips abroad with them. In the earlier years I also took part in some drama productions. Unfortunately I have no sporting activities or achievements to record!
What do you miss the most?
Short hours and long holidays!
What memories stick out in your mind?
Seeing all of my friends every day and not realising how difficult this would be once we all went our separate ways.
Did you make friends at Belvidere who are still friends today?
Yes, I still have close friendships with a number of former pupils
What did you do after you left School?
I went to 6th form and did my A-levels. Following this I went to Keele University and studied medicine for 5 years, graduating as a doctor in July 2013.
Where are you now?
Although I lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme whilst I was at university, I am currently living and working in Shrewsbury once again.
What are you doing? (Is it what you thought you would be doing? Or what the School thought you would be doing?)
I am currently working as a doctor at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. This is my first job after finishing medical school in July 2013. Being a doctor is what I always said I wanted to do, and people at school always encouraged me to pursue this career.
If you could do it again what would you do differently?
I would have tried to appreciate the carefree time I spent with all my friends a lot more.
What advice would you give to students about making the most of their time at Belvidere - career/exams/gap year/ambition\etc.?
Make sure you work hard and achieve your potential, but don’t neglect the extracurricular activities and friendships that make you a well-rounded and well liked individual.
Name | : Will Bond |
Form | : D |
Year | : 2007 |
When I left school I was desperate to move away, get stuck into a job and live like an adult, but I persuaded myself to get A Levels and my two years at Shrewsbury Sixth Form were over in a flash. Although I benefited from college socially more than academically, I loved studying English and the skills I learned have helped me in the real world ever since. We would throw college parties each term at The Buttermarket and it was here that I started to DJ. After my final exams I applied for a summer placement with BBC Radio Shropshire, where I wrote articles for their website and interviewed local artists on-air. Shrewsbury has a lot of undiscovered musical talent so the opportunity to reflect this was amazing.
My experience took me to London where I worked at a broadcast PR agency and then a radio newsroom specialising in travel news. Here I would investigate road incidents and write scripts for radio, so I was required to work with graphs, coordinates and traffic data. My Maths and Geography teachers would probably burst blood vessels at the thought of me dealing with this! Challenges aside, waking up at 4am each day wasn’t a novelty and I’d neglected my passion for music and creative writing, so I swapped the big job for many smaller freelance jobs.
In the last two years, I’ve been writing for music and fashion magazines alongside creating music and DJ gigs. I’m keeping radio as a hobby for now by creating Podcasts where I interview artists and feature their music. Last year I was lucky to DJ in Berlin and New York and doing this has helped me realise there is more to life than just work. I never studied languages at school, so now I’m learning to speak German, as I’d love to spend more time in Berlin and who knows where else!
A memory of school:
I’ll never forget the fun we had doing our school productions. There was Bugsy Malone where we were set loose with ‘splurge guns’ and by the end of the shows we were caked in foam and would fall all over the stage. As for Viva Mexico, I had to wear a gigantic sombrero and sing ‘la cucaracha’ with my best attempts to sound Spanish. We would end up in states of uncontrollable laughter during rehearsals, but everyone would put so much effort into creating the shows. Mr and Mrs Denscombe made everything look so professional with lighting, sound and costumes and then there was Mrs Young, who dedicated all her time to organising us and bringing the shows to life. When I left school, I realised how lucky we were to have so many teachers that would go out of their way to help us. I still have my ‘Year book’ from when I left Belvidere and to look back at what we achieved and experienced in five years still overwhelms me.
Name | :Phil Lowry |
Form | : |
Year | :1989 |
Went to Coventry University and completed a European Business and technology degree.
First job was selling finance for NWS bank. He then worked in recruitment for 3 1/2 years between Manpower and Extra Personnel.
In August 1999 with a small group of business partners, he set up Proactive Personnel
To date, they have 10 branches across the Midlands, North West and Shropshire with an approximate turnover of £30 million.
Memories of Belvidere : having a great group of friends and spending as much time as possible doing Sports.
In his spare time, he is obsessed with running, completing several half marathons and the Edinburgh Marathon. In August 2013, he will be running 120 miles over 5 days in the Rockies, Colarado.
Name | : Katie Prosser |
Form | : D |
Year | : 2006 |
I left Belvidere in 2006 to go on to Shrewsbury Sixth Form College where I completed my A levels.
I then accepted my offer for the University of Oxford (St Edmund Hall) where I completed a very enjoyable 4 year Masters degree in Biochemistry before deciding upon a career in law, with a view to specialising in the area of intellectual property.
I am currently half way through the necessary qualifications to do this, and will begin my training contract with Manches LLP in September 2014.
Name | : Jessica Lester |
Form | : V |
Year | : 2011 |
Name | : Naomi Shingler |
Form | : V |
Year | : 2008 |
Name | : Sophie Linney |
Form | : I |
Year | : 2009 |
Name | : Eleanor Taylor |
Form | : I |
Year | : 2000 |
Name | : Esme Johnson |
Form | : B |
Year | : 2008 |
Name | : Gareth Owen |
Form | : |
Year | : 1994 |
What did you do after you left School?
Gareth Owen is a former student at Belvidere who left in 1994 and went
on to study English, Politics and History at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. After completing his A-Levels in 1996, he took a year out of education to earn some money for his studies, and to present radio programmes on a variety of local stations. In 1997 he began a History degree at Cardiff University, graduating in 2001.
He spent around six months standing in as the News Editor on Sunshine 855 radio in Ludlow, before deciding to get some formal training in
journalism. He completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Birmingham City University in 2002.
Where are you now?
Gareth won a trainee contract with ITV Central and has been there ever since. He is now a familiar face to viewers in the Midlands as an anchor presenter and news correspondent on ITV Central Tonight. He started as a "Production Journalist", and has worked his way up to the role of Senior Correspondent. He also stands-in as the main presenter, and occasionally edits the programme. He works as Sport Correspondent and Political Correspondent, and edits the monthly political discussion programme in Westminster.
In addition to his roles in regional news, Gareth works as a reporter and
producer on the ITV National news, as a Correspondent with ITV Daybreak, and as a reporter on ITV Sport's FA Cup coverage.
What advice would you give to students about making the most of their time at Belvidere - career/exams/gap year/ambition\etc.?
Believe in yourself and have the confidence to reach for your dreams.
Name | : Kristian Leah |
Form | : E |
Year | : 2013 |
Kristian was nominated for the High Sheriff of Shropshire’s outstanding young citizenship Award 2013. This was awarded to him for reliably working as a young volunteer for over 12 months, at the Smile Club, New lodge youth centre. He has a very willing attitude and has built a great relationship with the disabilities group, helping them once a week. He also volunteers once a week with the after school junior club. WOW!
For this High Sheriff award he attended a ceremony with local dignitaries, and Mrs Parsons, at Shrewsbury College.