Information for prospective staff

Introduction

Ballard School has evolved over 100 years from a boys’ school with a strong Naval connection, to a boys’ Prep School (Edinburgh House) with close connections to a girls’ senior school (Fernhill Manor) – both boarding schools in New Milton - and then in 1995 to a co-educational day school when Edinburgh House and Fernhill Manor amalgamated on the former’s site.  There are now around 510 full-time pupils aged 1 ½ to 16 years with a further 30 or so part-time pupils in the Nursery section of the Pre-Prep.
The aims of the School can be seen in the ‘aims and objectives’ paper whilst something of its ethos and atmosphere will be discerned from its website www.ballardschool.co.uk and its publications such as the prospectus, the annual information booklet, and the twice-yearly publications, ‘Ballard Banter’ and ‘Theatre Times’.

Structure of the School

All Ballard pupils are day children and, once in full-time education, they arrive at 0830 daily, Monday to Friday, and finish school by 1605. Children may then go home but most stay for activities or supervised prep (homework) until the school buses leave at 1710. There is no Saturday school but occasionally matches or special events take place at the weekend.
The Pre-prep is for pupils from Nursery up to the end of Year 2, the Prep for Years 3 to 8 and the Senior School for Years 9 to 11. Pupils leave Ballard after their GCSEs and go on to a variety of Sixth Form providers. These include Brockenhurst College (a Sixth Form college and community centre), King Edward’s in Southampton, the grammar schools in Poole and senior schools such as Canford and Bryanston. A few pupils leave Ballard at the end of Year 6 when they take the grammar school exams or at the end of Year 8 after Common Entrance but we have sizeable new intakes at Year 7 and Year 9.

Governors at Ballard

Ballard is an educational charity with a Christian foundation (see the ‘aims and objectives’ paper). Our Governors number around ten and are led by Mr. Richard Blake, a retired Headmaster. They have a committee for education, for health and safety and for finances and facilities. Each Governor also has a ‘link role’ to different activities or committees within school (such as to do with child protection, with access arrangements and with learning support. Our Governors are very supportive of school events and retain a pastoral and caring interest in our staff and pupils.

Pupils at Ballard

We are a non-selective school in the sense that we do not require an entrance exam for entry. However, whilst we do have quite a broad ability range and offer Learning Support to over 100 pupils, we have some very bright and talented pupils. We require a ‘taster day’, references and reports for entry and we offer bursaries and scholarships as appropriate. Many of our pupils have much to offer by way of sporting and performing arts’ skills and several represent the County in their chosen discipline. Ballard is an holistic school and encourages extra-curricular activities as part of a broadening education. We support many charities and promote positive attitudes towards others, good manners and a Christian ethos.

Staff at Ballard

All staff are committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive community at Ballard. An enhanced CRB check will be carried out on all staff prior to appointment and references checked carefully. The School complies with the CRB code of practice and will not discriminate unfairly against an applicant on the basis of a conviction or other information which is revealed. Fuller details can be seen on the staff application form.
INSET on ‘safeguarding’ is provided for all staff and interviewing is conducted within the ‘safe recruiting’ framework. Our child protection and anti-bullying policies can be seen in the policies’ section of our website. We are an Equal Opportunities’ employer and aim to be accessible to all staff irrespective of disabilities, gender or race. We do have a Christian foundation and thus staff should at least be in sympathy with this ethos.
Ballard employs both full-time and part-time staff. Teaching staff are expected to be involved with the School’s extra-curricular programme and to help with normal duties as well as the pastoral care of pupils through roles such as Form Tutors and Academic Mentors.

Staff applications

Staff applications will only be accepted if the application form is filled in fully. A covering letter to the Headmaster is expected which should contain an explanation of why the post is being applied for and what the applicant expects to be able to offer by way of skills, enthusiasm and experience. Whilst CVs may be submitted with the covering letter, they are not essential. Terms and conditions of employment will be discussed with the Headmaster at interview and appointments will only be confirmed after the successful completion of an enhanced CRB check and the receipt of satisfactory references. Original certificates of educational qualifications should be brought to the interview (if invited). Photocopies will not be acceptable on their own. Please also bring something which clearly identifies you (e.g. a photographic driver’s license) and establishes your address (e.g. a utility bill). A photocopy of each of the latter will be kept in your interview file.

Thank you for considering an application to join the staff at Ballard School. If you are successful you will be joining a vibrant, purposeful and exciting school! If you have any further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the Headmaster, Mr. Alastair Reid, via his PA, Mrs. Janet Grasham.
Alastair Reid, Headmaster, Ballard School