GCSE results - Ballard School 2020

Ballard School, an independent school based in New Milton, are enjoying another successful year of GCSE results, with 100% of pupils achieving at least five GCSE passes graded 9-4 (including Maths and English), and 75% of pupils securing at least 9 GCSE passes in total.

Andrew McCleave, Headmaster at Ballard School, said:

“I am so pleased that our pupils have achieved the grades they deserve. Every single pupil has gained five GCSE passes at a grade of 9-4, with the majority receiving over nine GCSE passes in total. A considerable number of pupils have achieved the top grades of 9 to 7. 47% of grades achieved by girls were grades 9-7 grades; three of our young people gained 10 passes at these top grades.

“Ballard’s teachers worked tirelessly to ensure the predicted grades were fair and just. Owing to this, we have seen a number of results upgraded by the OFQUAL exam algorithm. Overall, grades are 5% higher than we initially predicted.

“We are all immensely proud of each and every Year 11 pupil, some of whom have been with us since nursery.”

The School enjoyed particular success, achieving 9-7 grade passes across all subjects, including the following subjects: Food Technology (91%), Physics (71%), Chemistry (65%), Geography (65%), Design & Technology (58%), Spanish (54%), and Art (50%).

Andrew McCleave continued:

“The results achieved mean that all pupils can now continue their academic and personal development at their first-choice post-16 option. On behalf of the School, I’d like to wish all of our Year 11 pupils the best in the future. We look forward to marking the end of their Ballard journey officially with a prom and our annual GCSE certificate evening, later in the year.

“This has been a challenging year for every pupil here, but there have been many silver linings. I am very proud of the entire Ballard family for how we have all shown such resilience through this unsettling period. Our whole school community very quickly adapted to remote learning, we kept everyone connected through remote sports and arts initiatives, and we all celebrated being shortlisted for ‘Co-educational School of the Year’.”

Ballard has also seen a 10% increase in this year’s admissions as a result of its continued educational achievements, extra-curricular activities, successful online learning during lockdown, and the bespoke and holistic education on offer. Andrew McCleave, said:

“Our year-on-year success has been highlighted in the increase in admissions; 88 new pupils are joining the Ballard family in September. Parents are joining us having been very impressed with our remote learning during lockdown, the broad range of experiences on offer, and most importantly, our continued exam success.”