Affiliations

IAPS – the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools. There are over 400 member schools in the UK with some also overseas. IAPS primarily focuses on the Pre-Prep (up to Year 2) and the Prep (Years 3-8) parts of the school and provides opportunities for staff professional development, some pupil sport and representation through to Government level.

SHMIS – Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools. There are nearly 100 member schools in the UK and this organisation mostly represents the interests of the smaller senior independent schools which at Ballard means Years 9-11. As with IAPS, it is a professional association for Heads and provides training and professional development for staff as well as representation at National level.

TISCA – The Independent Schools’ Christian Alliance. Ballard is a ‘foundation member’ of this UK association which represents schools with a Christian foundation. TISCA arranges one-day conferences and courses to help schools examine issues of faith, social responsibility and community life. It also supports the work of chaplains in schools.

Artsmark – Ballard School has recently been awarded the Artsmark by the Arts Council of England in recognition of its contribution to arts education. The award takes into account the school’s broad arts education programme, focusing on both curricular and extra-curricular provision of Music, Dance, Drama and Art across every age range in the school. This is a prestigious award for Ballard, and not readily given to schools, but it acknowledges the hard work pupils and staff have put into this area of school life over several years.