Great Ballard House was built in 1906 for the Ubsdell family. Mrs Ubsdell, an admirer of the Arts and Crafts movement, ensured that many of its principles were woven into the fabric of the house. Today, this influence is still very visible in the building’s distinctive architectural details, from handcrafted tiles to wood panelling and a number of particularly beautiful fireplaces.
Great Ballard School remained here until 19th June 1940. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the school relocated to Clayesmore School in Dorset for safety. During the war, the estate was requisitioned and used as an Army headquarters. Great Ballard School moved several more times in the years that followed – first to Stowell Park in Gloucestershire, then to Camberley in Surrey, and finally to Eartham, where the school continues to operate today.
Meanwhile, back in 1895, a boys’ school had been established in Lee‑on‑the‑Solent. Originally called The Royal Naval School, it later changed its name to Edinburgh House School at the request of the Royal Navy, who had founded their own institution. During the Second World War, the pupils of Edinburgh House School were evacuated to the countryside. After the war, the school sought a new permanent home. When the Headmaster visited Barton‑on‑Sea on holiday, he discovered that the Army had vacated Great Ballard House and that Great Ballard School would not be returning. This opportunity led Edinburgh House School to relocate to the Great Ballard Estate, where it flourished.
In 1969, Edinburgh House School merged with Gorse Cliff and Marchwood Park School, retaining the Edinburgh House name. The school continued to grow, strengthening both its reputation and its facilities. In 1981, Edinburgh House purchased the freehold of the Great Ballard Estate, securing its long‑term future at the site. Further transformation came in 1995, when Edinburgh House merged with the neighbouring Fernhill Manor School. The newly combined school adopted a new name – Ballard School the name we proudly carry today.
