Open Mornings
“All I can say is you will look back and realise that attending Ballard’s Open Morning is one of the best things you have ever done…… I know because we did it!
Thank you Ballard School for all you do for our two children, every day…”
Book now for a tailored-tour at our next Open Morning on Friday, 2nd May 2025.
If you would like to visit before then, please contact our Registrar to arrange a private tour.
Upcoming Open Morning Dates
Summer Term 2025
Friday, 2nd May
Call our friendly Registrar Team on 01425 626900, or email them – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk
We are delighted to invite you for a tailored tour of our award-winning School with our pupils. Booking is essential and we advise you to book early as numbers are limited for each tour. You will see the School in action, as with any normal day, however you will also be guided by our pupils and meet members of staff on your tour, including our Director of Sport. Before and after your tour you will be able to enjoy our delicious refreshments whilst talking with current parents and staff including our Leadership Team, the Admissions Team, and our Heads of Pre-Prep, Lower Prep (Years 3-5), Upper Prep (Years 6-8) and Senior (Years 9-11).
It’s never too early to look at the next part of your child’s educational journey, so come and find out why we were voted Independent Co-educational School of the Year (2024/25) and why parents have called us “Simply the best school, every day.”
Waiting List Notice
Please be advised that there are waiting lists for some of year groups for September 2025 entry; we therefore recommend that you contact our Registrar, Laura Legg, as soon as possible to discuss your 2025 requirements and beyond, either by calling her on 01425 626900 or by email – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk.
Award Winning Education
“A warm, friendly school in a glorious setting, where pupils enjoy their learning, throw themselves into a plethora of activities and have fun.” (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.
Ballard School has been recognised, once again, by the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards, by winning their Co-educational School of the Year Award 2024/25. This follows Ballard reaching the finals for Sport in 2023 and Performing Arts in 2022. They have also reached the finals of the Independent School Association’s Award for Fine Arts and Design and the MTI Award in Musical Theatre Provision Awards. So, what makes an award-winning education?
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 2024, 35% of grades achieved were grade 9 to 7.
Academic successes alongside outstanding co-curricular activities (over 120 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
