Remembering Gordon Smith - Master of Belmont 1980-1991

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that former Master of Belmont Gordon Smith died on 16th June 2026 a few days shy of his 93rd birthday.

Gordon’s first teaching post was to return to Brighton College where he had been a pupil, firstly as teacher of English and then as a Housemaster of a boarding house. Gordon then took up the role of Head of English at King Williams College where he and the family really enjoyed the short spell of life on the Isle of Man. When the position of Headmaster of Brighton College Junior School became vacant the pull of Brighton College saw Gordon returning once more and he had 10 very happy years which included overseeing the move of the whole school to a new site across the road!

In the late 1970s Gordon realised he had the choice of one more school move or staying at Brighton for the remainder of the career. He decided to take up the challenge of another post and thus saw his move to be Master of Belmont School, the Mill Hill Junior School, in September 1980.

Gordon spoke about the culture shock he faced when moving from Brighton College to Mill Hill encountering much greater cultural and religious diversity. He was grateful for the caring and thoughtful influence left by his predecessor Peter Foster and his wife Wendy in making the school such a tolerant community. He was also very impressed by  the wonderful living quarters that went with this position.

By now Gordon was very respected within the prep schools community and he was incredibly honoured to be appointed Chairman of IAPS in 1986.  He was very grateful to his Deputy Gordon Waite and to the Governors who enabled Gordon to have so much time away from school that year in order to fulfil this role.

Kevin Douglas (Belmont 1982-2001) writes that during his time at Belmont Gordon “initiated and oversaw the transition from a boarding and day school to day only, leading to a considerable increase in numbers. This required an increase in staff and Gordon had the knack/skill of choosing the right people for the right job. I remember a very harmonious time, great fun and camaraderie. The Turnbulls, Bishops, Arnolds, Carrs and Wickes all met and married at Belmont!

Gordon’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with his IAPS experience and the increased popularity of the school in North London, as it became a Day School, led to higher academic, sporting and musical standards during this time - all areas he was passionate about. His creation of the 'Wind Band’ amused us all at first but as the years progressed, it became the highlight of any concert!

In all these Housemaster and Headmaster roles Gordon was incredibly well supported by his wife Susan and I know at these establishments they are very much remembered as a couple.

Gordon retired from Belmont in 1991 but with roles on various IAPS committees, and as a governor at several schools including Haileybury, the term retirement should be used very loosely. During this period he also set about researching and writing a book called Belmont, The Mill Hill Junior School 1912-1994 which he very much enjoyed. He also helped to set up the Old Belmontian Association which required a huge amount of research creating a register of former pupils.

In retirement he threw himself into life at Saffron Walden and in particular the church and music groups which gave him much happiness. He and Susan also took the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe, often combining this with their shared love of music by taking in concerts in amazing venues.

Sadly Susan passed away in August 2020 and Gordon was bereft without her. Shortly after this he was diagnosed with dementia and moved into Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham for his final years. Despite the dementia it has to be said that once a headmaster always a headmaster. Gordon had always endeavoured to know the name of every pupil and every employee in whatever role and it was amazing that at 92 he retained this skill and could recall the names of all the carers in the home, much to their surprise. He passed away peacefully on 16th June 2026 with his family by his side.

Peter McDonough (Belmont 1982-88)  has written that at a recent gathering of former colleagues to celebrate Kevin Douglas’s 70th, “Gordon was one of the main topics of conversation. He was described as having created a truly great school in which staff and pupils alike had a space to grow in a happy and supportive environment.

That so many of us shared the same feelings after so many years is a real tribute to his leadership skills”