Ballard School

Fernhill Lane, New Milton, BH25 5SU, Hampshire

01425 626900

www.ballardschool.co.uk


School type	Co-educational Day Preparatory, Senior & Nursery
Founded	1895
Headmaster	Mr Andrew McCleave
Co-ed Age Range	2-16 years
Number of pupils	463
Day fees per annum	£3,290 - £6,055 per term (please see website for full details)
Average Class Size	10-18
Associations	IAPS, ISA, ISC

"Simply the best school, every day." - Reception Parent

"A warm, friendly school in a glorious setting, where pupils enjoy their learning, throw themselves into a plethora of activities and have fun. The performing arts are outstanding and children seem genuinely sad to leave for pastures new at 16." - Good Schools Guide

Ballard is a multi award-winning, co-educational, independent day school from Nursery to GCSE, set in 34 acres between the New Forest and South Coast. Ballard's dynamic leadership has turned 'excellent & outstanding' (ISI) into exceptional.

This year, Ballard was a finalist for the Independent School of the Year Sports award (ISOTY) and Highly Commended for Performing Arts (ISA). Last year the School was a finalist for the Excellence and Innovation in Art and Design (ISA); Highly Commended for Sport (ISA); a finalist for Performing Arts (ISOTY); and shortlisted for the Co-Educational Independent School of the Year award for the third year in a row.

Ballard offers the perfect balance. Classes are large enough to facilitate lively, challenging lessons, yet small enough so that every pupil is known. This allows staff to help pupils successfully develop, both academically and pastorally, encouraging them to be the best they can be, nurturing well-rounded, happy individuals with a healthy outlook on life.

Its fantastic facilities include an Olympic sized astroturf, swimming pool, Forest Schools, five science labs, three libraries with two librarians, nine 3D-printers, an iMac studio, and a 200-seater Performing Arts Centre. Ballard continues to invest, with exciting plans ahead.

Exceptional teachers allow Ballard to run a wide range of GCSEs including three languages and three Maths courses. Tailored clinics stretch and support GCSE pupils, with outstanding results - in 2023, 40.7% of grades achieved were grade 9 to 7, almost double the national average.

Academic successes alongside outstanding co-curricular activities (over 175 weekly) and trips, ensure Ballard offers a well-rounded, comprehensive education. Beyond the classroom, Ballard pupils have consistently reached the top 5% in the Townsend Warner History Competition, reached the top 1% on World Maths Day and gained Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. The School's eco-ambassadors achieved Eco Schools' coveted Green Flag status, promoting environmental initiatives including a pledge to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Ballard is the first UK school to have two electric minibuses.

Pupils make the most of their opportunities, with alumni that include Olympic medalists, world champions, successful authors, an international opera star and a pop band.

Below are some of the highlights for our key entry points.

Reception pupils make the most of every opportunity with specialist teachers for Dance, PE, Sport, Music, Gymnastics, Yoga, and Forest & Beach School, and from Year 1, French and PSHE. Children use our iPads and 75" interactive screens; enjoy weekly Cooking, Art, and 'Librarian' sessions. They have fun with topic-led lessons, Maths and Literacy from our experienced year group specialists.

DT, Expressive Arts, ICT and Science start in Year 3 with specialist teachers alongside Sport, Gymnastics and Forest School. Regular library lessons and the Accelerated Reader Programme assist literacy; WOW days immerse pupils in topics including WWII; VR headsets walk pupils through tropical rainforests and life-skills are learnt during cookery and PSHE. In Year 5, they learn Spanish alongside French.

Year 7 pupils enjoy the full array of GCSE specialist teachers. There is plenty to keep pupils busy - team building at the start of the year, a week-long team-building residential at the end, CREST and Arts awards, sports festivals and a production.

"Wow! The pupils are so lucky to be able to get involved in so many activities. What a wonderful school and wonderful staff." - Parent, Year 3 pupil.

"Our daughter is settled, happy and engaged - what more could we as parents ask for? She comes out of school happy every day." - Parent, Year 3 pupil.

"It's clear that your enthusiastic and energetic teachers make for engaged and motivated pupils." - Parent, Year 5 pupil.

"Sending our daughter to Ballard has literally been the difference between her getting an education and not." - Parent, Year 7 pupil.

"He's flourished into a young man who’s willing to take on new challenges and push himself to learn and try new things - the difference is truly amazing." - Parent, Year 9 pupil.

"The difference between the boy that left his old school to the one we see today is exceptional." - Parent, Year 10 pupil.

"I'm deeply grateful for the lasting, positive impact you've had on my daughter." - Parent, Year 11 pupil.

There has never been a better time to join, but don't just take the word of Ballard parents, The Good Schools Guide or ISI - come and see for yourself. Call the friendly Registrar team on 01425 626900 for an appointment or email: registrar@ballardschool.co.uk. There is a wealth of information at www.ballardschool.co.uk