Y6 had the opportunity to quiz Bellevue’s CEO Mark Malley, when he visited Elmhurst just before half term. The children enjoyed finding out more about our group and Mr Malley certainly enjoyed spending time with them. The pupils then wrote up Mr Malley’s answers to their questions.
How did you build the Bellevue Group?
Bellevue has 20 different schools. Elmhurst became part of Bellevue in 2014. Our school, Elmhurst, is the oldest school in Bellevue. Bellevue was created to give children the very best experience at school. Mark believes children need to feel safe, happy and have friends, to like themselves, be themselves and feel comfortable being themselves to unlock their full potential at school. Mark thought the schools could learn from each other, making the schools better. Oliver
What do you think makes Elmhurst special?
Elmhurst is a really good school. It is the oldest school in the Bellevue Group. Elmhurst boys are always welcoming. The teachers are great at helping them to achieve their potential. Keshaw
Can you tell us the team that you work with?
The team that Mark Malley works with is ex-head teachers. They work as a team to go to other schools and try to see what is good about the school and try to incorporate other schools’ good ideas. They also do talks like this one from Mark Malley and take in the ideas of the children and talking to us about what they are doing to improve the school and tell us about what they do. Peyton
What opportunities are there for Elmhurst to collaborate with other schools?
There are lots of opportunities to come together with other schools. Some of thoseopportunities are listed below: Chess tournaments; football games and even spelling bees. Mr Malley also doesn’t mind not having any more schools join Bellevue as he thinks twenty is a good number. Because of this it means we will have a tighter and stronger community which will mean we will have more time to do things with other schools. Overall, I think this is a good decision and I hope we will help our schools and the schools in Bellevue. Yannick
What are your future plans for the Bellevue group?
To make the schools a bit better every year and use AI so students have their own personalised co-curriculum so it is just right for them but still socialising with other students and teachers. Ethan
Do you have any plans to improve Elmhurst?
Mr Malley answered my question by saying that Elmhurst is one of the most important Schools in the Bellevue community and that he didn’t think it needed any improvements since it is a brilliant school and it makes outstanding children. However, if the school wanted to improve the school, he said that Mrs Marriott could change the school if she wanted to. Rafe
Are there any secondary schools in the group?
Yes there are nursery, primary and secondary schools. Spencer
What are you doing about the VAT rise?
To reduce the impact of the 20% VAT rise, Mr. Malley had agreed for schools to take 10 and a half percent. This means parents will only have to pay 9 and a half percent, which is much better. Schools are thinking how to regain the lost money, and have thought of some innovative ways to do this, such as renting the playgrounds out in the holidays. This reduces the impact of the labour party’s significant decision. Mayen
What do you think all schools should have?
Mr. Malley thinks that all schools should make their students feel safe, cared for and the students should feel like the school cares about them. Schools should also help students thrive in areas that they never knew they were good at. Lastly, students should know that the teachers are trying to make sure that you have a bright future. Yash
What do you think makes a good school?
Mr. Malley thinks that all schools are amazing, especially Elmhurst for many reasons. When we interviewed him he said that every time he walks into any school he is always greeted with smiles on children’s faces ready to take him on a tour of the schools. The opportunities that every school in Bellevue gives is astonishing letting them succeed with flying colours. One of the most important attributes that make an amazing school is the teachers that educate each child. Mr. Malley mentioned that every child starts at the bottom level and as they grow up the level they are on becomes higher and better. In conclusion Mr. Malley said that the thing that makes the best school is the students that are in it. Idrees
Do you think Bellevue will continue to grow?
He only wants good schools to join Bellevue and only good ideas to enter the organisation which would actually help Bellevue. He doesn’t need or want to grow Bellevue unless the school is good enough to join and schools don’t come in every X amount of time. Unless there is a really good school like Elmhurst the answer is no, he doesn’t think it will continue to grow. Aryan
