Welcome to Ballard

Ballard is a thriving and welcoming co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 16. A multi-award-winning school, set in 34 acres between the New Forest and the Solent on the Hampshire / Dorset border, we have been shortlisted by the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

Crowned Co-educational School of the Year in October 2024, Ballard has reached the finals for Sport (2023), Performing Arts (2022), and Student Wellbeing (2021). In 2025, we retained our School Games Mark Gold status, were finalists for the ISA Award for Fine Arts and Design, for the third time in four years, and the MTI Award for Musical Theatre Provision. Our Eco-Ambassadors also achieved Eco School’s Green Flag status with Distinction. So, what makes an award-winning education?

At Ballard, we believe abilities and intelligence are not fixed – all can flourish and excel when given the tools and environment to develop self-knowledge and resilience. We provide a vast array of opportunities and we believe, what sets us apart is we empower and inspire our pupils to seize them.