Ballard School is Independent Secondary school in Non-selective for kids aged 2 to 16 (Gender - 2 to 16 )

Ballard is a thriving and welcoming co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 16. Set in 34 acres between the New Forest and the Solent on the Hampshire / Dorset border, they are rated ‘Excellent and Outstanding’ in all ISI inspection categories; the highest accolade any school can achieve. They have also been rated a Green Flag Eco School, Artsmark Gold and Sports School Gold as well as having just reached the finals for the Independent School of the Year, 2022, for Performing Arts. They pride ourselves on our forward-thinking curriculum, providing an aspirational, academic and holistic education. The staff inspire and guide the young people, challenging and supporting them in equal measure.  The School’s drive to deliver a first-class education, with a close eye on the future, is shaping our ambitious investment and development plans. The pastoral care is rooted in kindness and respect, and underpinned by Christian values. The Ballard family’s wellbeing is central to the ethos of the School. The inclusive approach to school life values individuality and fosters generosity of spirit; our young people look out for each other and the wider community.
 

Nursery
The Nursery and Pre-Prep area is independent from the rest of the School, which allows pupils the freedom to play, whilst feeling safe. However, they do like to explore the School grounds and facilities and our Kindergarten pupils really love their Forest School sessions.There is also a huge choice of indoor and outdoor play equipment. Traditional toys are supplemented by computers/iPads and modern educational toys, providing pupils the variety they crave and the opportunity to work independently or together.Encouraging support from specialist PE and Dance teachers help the youngest pupils with their movement and motor skills. They also have access to specialist equipment, Dance Studio, Sports’ Hall and the other facilities

Pre Prep
Lower Prep pupils regularly help and support Pre-Prep. It is wonderful to see a younger pupil inspired by an older pupil sharing a story with them. They look up to them as role models and build friendships which last through School.Ballard is not only nurturing but stimulating and exciting too; no two days are the same. We constantly introduce a variety of new experiences to develop new skills and deepen pupils’ thinking. This enables pupils to excel in all areas. By the end of the summer term, the majority of Reception are working on Year 1 objectives.Pupils have access to specialist teachers, equipment and facilities for Dance, Music, PE and, from Year 1, French. Being taught by specialists at such a young age is a key benefit of coming to Ballard. For example, pupils consistently surpass national expectations for their physical development.

Lower Prep
Life at Ballard Lower Prep is engaging, inspiring, exciting and fun! Located in its own self-contained area, its small class sizes and nurturing family-feel provide a natural progression after Pre-Prep. The development of interdependence and responsibility is key in readiness for the next stage in Upper Prep. They aim to develop pupils’ thinking skills by encouraging independent learning and high academic standards within a caring environment. Pupils feel secure and happily stretch into new areas of discovery and learning.Form tutors teach topic-led, cross-curricular lessons which are combined to great effect with access to specialist teachers in all arts subjects, DT, ICT, French, Science and Sport. The opportunities are endless and our pupils’ enthusiasm boundless. They use the extensive Ballard facilities and resources which include our Department for Enhanced Learning (DEL) for those who require some additional support to reach their full potential. They also make use of our grounds with nature walks, Forest School and lots of outside learning.

Upper Prep
Upper Prep marks the transition from a mainly form-based cross-curricular work to set-based specialist work. They develop pupils’ independent learning whilst increasing their levels of responsibility.Heads of Department lead the subjects with a clear pathway to GCSE, an emphasis on enjoyment and delivery of skills and knowledge that are required. Links between subjects are encouraged and transferable skills are identified.We have dedicated Year 6 Form Tutors to ease the transition between primary and secondary. Tutors remain with their groups throughout Years 7&8 providing pupils with pastoral and academic support. Form time is used for discussion, reading, and mindfulness as well as building positive relationships with staff and peers. This time helps build pupils’ social skills and awareness.In the summer term, Year 6 pupils sit the Ballard Speaking Board (BSB); enhancing their leadership skills and confidence. Many pupils go into become Prefects and House Captains in Year 8 as well as mentors to pupils lower down the School.

Senior
Ballard’s Senior School has its own mini-campus within the School grounds and our objective is to help produce well-rounded and well-qualified young women and men, ready to progress to their first choice venue for further education.An attractive range of GCSE subjects is offered and the School has a consistently enviable record of results. GCSE clinics are offered within School time and as an after-School activity to support the revision process. Year 9 pupils are guided through all of the GCSE options available to them and support and assistance is given to pupils and parents to aid GCSE selection.Whilst still offering the all-round Ballard educational experience, the pace and intensity of academic rigour moves up a gear in the Senior School. Purposeful teaching supported by sensible discipline and pastoral care provides the supportive foundation to enable pupils to thrive.

ART
Art at Ballard is renowned for its diversity, talent, quality and above all, achievement. The vibrant department covers a wide-range of activities; from drawing and painting, using a variety of different media, such as; mixed-media, 3D work using cardboard construction, wire and clay, textiles incorporating weaving, ceramics, silk painting and Batik. They also teach Lino, mono, etching and poly printing.The Staff in the department are highly-trained experts in their own field with the flexibility to teach across all disciplines. This allows us to offer a range of art media to suit all interests and levels of ability, where pupils can engage in creative learning

DANCE
Dance is enjoyed by Ballard pupils through the School from Kindergarten to GCSE Dance. Our specialist Dance teacher provides high quality lessons within the PE curriculum, which covers the four main strands of Dance; performance, composition, fitness and appreciation.At Ballard we not only engage pupils as performers but develop them as choreographers and dancers who can analyse their work. Dance develops physical, creative, imaginative, emotional and intellectual capacities. It also requires social skills. Dance provides opportunities for artistic and aesthetic education as well as opportunities for children to explore and express moods and ideas symbolically through movement

MUSIC
Ballard’s award-winning Music department is staffed by enthusiastic and energetic teachers, committed to making music fun and fulfilling for all. They have a range of specialist skills from the classical and commercial world in both instrumental and vocal work.Music is part of the curriculum throughout and our full programme of ensembles is also open to the Ballard family including Alumni, parents and grandparents. Music is a popular GCSE option with a track record of 100% A*-C and an ISM Gold Award for GCSE Music results.

SPORT
Ballard Sport provides a positive and inclusive award-winning sports’ provision with specialist PE teachers teaching all pupils from Nursery upwards in outstanding facilities, including an Olympic Astro.Many schools have to look to external coaches for individual sport tuition. Ballard Sport has six full-time PE staff, who have extensive teaching experience across not only the traditional school sports but also new and exciting sports that are very popular such as volleyball, girls’ football and cricket, badminton, handball and basketball.