“The principle behind our Scholarship awards is that they enable Ballard to attract and reward exceptional pupils who have a talent and an on-going passion for particular areas of School life. We offer a range of Scholarships, which reflect our holistic approach to education and allows us to celebrate pupils’ outstanding abilities in a variety of subject areas.
Academic scholars will have a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning. These pupils will be curious, creative, work independently and develop their interests by reading widely. There is an expectation that academic scholars will display an exceptional attitude to their learning and will lead by example.
Our all-round scholars are those who have a breadth of interests and aptitudes; they will be at home on the sports’ field or in the art, dance, DT, music or drama studios, as well as displaying curiosity and an appetite for knowledge in the classroom.
Our other Scholarships will reward potential, passion, dedication and resilience as well as skill, knowledge and aptitude in the subject.
Understandably, we do expect more from our scholars and look to them to act as role models and to remain committed to their subjects throughout their time at Ballard. We continually monitor and evaluate our scholars’ performance and enjoy watching them thrive at Ballard.”
Andrew McCleave – Headmaster.
Please contact our registrar: registrar@ballardschool.co.uk to enquire about our Scholarship Programme for 2022 and beyond as spaces are limited.
Please be advised that the School reserves the right to withdraw a scholarship should performance levels or behaviour drop below our scholarship standards.
If you believe that your child has an exceptional talent then we would love them to apply for one of our Scholarships. Please read all the information on the relevant Scholarship in the sections below alongside the terms and conditions.
You may also wish to read more about your child’s area of interest within the relevant sector of the site: STEM, arts, sports and Life; or via the different stages of School: Lower Prep (Years 3-5), Upper Prep (Years 6-8) and Senior.
To start the application process, please register your interest by contacting registrar@ballardschool.co.uk.
For those external candidates who aren’t yet registered to join Ballard, you will need to complete our registration process, which our Registrar will be happy to help you with.
All pupils must have been registered by the 1st November 2021, and must attend our Saturday Admissions Day in the Spring Term, 2022. Once a place has been offered and accepted, you will then be able to apply for a scholarship and attend the relevant Scholarship Selection Day later that term.
All pupils must be registered and applications received by 10th December 2021. The relevant Scholarship Selection Day will be held in the first half of the Spring Term.
All applications must be received by 10th December 2021.
Why Ballard
Life at Ballard Lower Prep is engaging, inspiring, exciting and fun! Located in its own self-contained area, its nurturing family-feel provides a natural progression after Pre-Prep. The development of inter-dependence and responsibility is key and we 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.
“I can’t believe the change in him. He loves coming to School and he is absolutely flying.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
Academic scholars will have a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning. These pupils will be curious, creative, have a love of reading and enjoy working independently. They will display an exceptional attitude to their learning and will lead by example.
Format
All candidates will sit an English task and a GL assessment paper.
Expectations in English:
Candidates will be asked to sit one paper (of approximately 25 minutes’ duration), consisting of an independent creative writing piece. Candidates will be rewarded for the breadth of their vocabulary; the accuracy of their punctuation and grammar; and their ability to write creatively.
During the day, candidates will also be assessed 1:1 on their reading and comprehension. Candidates will be questioned on their understanding of the text, their fluency and expression when reading aloud and their predictions of the next stage in the story.
Expectations in Maths:
In Maths, candidates will complete a short assessment containing a wide selection of questions which cover the Year 2 National Curriculum, along with some Key Stage 2 challenging questions, to stretch the ‘more able’ mathematicians.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning school with strengths in many areas: academic, the arts, sport and STEM. Pupils at Ballard are encouraged to take full advantage of the multitude of opportunities on offer each day.
Life at Ballard Lower Prep is engaging, inspiring, exciting and fun! Located in its own self-contained area, its nurturing family-feel provides a natural progression after Pre-Prep. The development of inter-dependence and responsibility is key and we 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.
“I can’t believe the change in him. He loves coming to School and he is absolutely flying.” (Ballard Parent)
“The School absolutely lives up to our expectations. We are extremely happy with the holistic, all-round education. We have recommended the School to many people.” (Ballard Parent)
“I love all the opportunities at Ballard.” (Ballard Pupil)
What we are looking for:
We are looking for exceptional pupils who have a love of learning, who are curious and engaging. They will be positive role models and, whatever their combination of skills, they will embrace all the opportunities available to them at Ballard. Candidates will be expected to have a broad academic ability (to a high standard) in addition to strengths across the board. For those who have an exceptional sporting ability, we will consider them for an All-Round (Sports) Scholarship and for those who have an exceptional musical ability, we will consider them for an All-Round (Music) Scholarship.
Format
The All-Round Scholarship entails many elements. All candidates will sit an English task and a GL assessment paper.
Expectations in English:
Candidates will be asked to sit one paper (of approximately 25 minutes’ duration), consisting of an independent creative writing piece. Candidates will be rewarded for the breadth of their vocabulary; the accuracy of their punctuation and grammar; and their ability to write creatively.
During the day, candidates will also be assessed 1:1 on their reading and comprehension. Candidates will be questioned on their understanding of the text, their fluency and expression when reading aloud and their predictions of the next stage in the story.
Expectations in Maths:
In Maths, candidates will complete a short assessment containing a wide selection of questions which cover the Year 2 National Curriculum, along with some Key Stage 2 challenging questions, to stretch the ‘more able’ mathematicians.
All candidates will also take part in a PE lesson and a workshop with the Head of Music and Performing Arts.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
At Ballard we engender a future-focused, entrepreneurial approach to learning; balancing academics with life-skills and good citizenship. By developing our pupils’ critical-thinking, resilience, creativity, adaptability and ability to work independently and collaboratively, we are preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow.
We have strong links with our alumni, within the community and further afield and can offer pupils opportunities many other schools don’t. Highlights from this year include: A visit to St Edmund Hall, Oxford University; a trip to hear a particle Physics lecture from Professor Nathan Seiberg; Erasmus+ in Italy and locally; and a Spanish exchange trip.
“At Ballard he seems to have accepted that it is all right to be ‘clever’…Ballard has helped him on his way to fulfilling his potential. Our only regret is that we did not send him to Ballard much earlier.” (Ballard Parent)
“She has always loved school and to us that has been one of the most important factors leading to her fantastic GCSE success. She worked really hard and was so motivated to achieve, inspired by so many members of staff.” (Ballard Parent)
“We have never doubted that the sacrifices we have made for our children to experience a Ballard education were worth it. When I look back at everything she has achieved, everything she has experienced, every opportunity she has had, I know we could not have accessed these or found better anywhere else.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
We are looking for pupils who have a love of learning; achieving exceptional results across a range of academic subjects. Curious and engaging, they will embrace all the opportunities available to them at Ballard. They will be positive role models, becoming ambassadors for the School and mentoring younger pupils.
Format
Rather than assessing a pupil’s ability to remember facts, figures and languages, we will be looking for the core skills that make an academic scholar exceptional. To this end we have divided the appraisal into six parts:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School with strengths in many areas: academic, the arts, sport and STEM. Pupils at Ballard are encouraged to take full advantage of the multitude of opportunities on offer each day. It’s not just in class that children get to participate and explore; whether it’s fascinating lectures or specialist workshops; sports festivals or through-school productions; tailored trips or community projects, near and far – there is no such thing as a typical day at Ballard.
Pupils thrive at Ballard and with our excellent academic and pastoral teams working alongside our other departments, each pupil is allowed to stretch themselves in many different ways.
“The School absolutely lives up to our expectations. We are extremely happy with the holistic, all-round education. We have recommended the School to many people.” (Ballard Parent)
“I love all the opportunities at Ballard.” (Ballard Pupil)
What we are looking for:
We are looking for exceptional pupils who have a love of learning, who are curious and engaging. Whatever their combination of skills, they will embrace all the opportunities available to them at Ballard. They will be positive role models; becoming ambassadors for the School and mentoring younger pupils.
Candidates will be expected to have a broad academic ability (to a high standard) in addition to two strengths from the following list:
Academic, Art, Dance or Drama, Design & Technology (DT) / STEM, Music, Sports, Performing Arts (two disciplines from Dance, Drama or Singing).
Please ensure that you mark which two disciplines you are selecting.
Format
The appraisal includes:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Art at Ballard is renowned for its diversity, talent, quality and above all, achievement. Our 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. We also teach Lino, mono, etching and poly printing.
Ballard is an award-winning School and we celebrate curiosity, drive and independence. We encourage pupils to push themselves out of their comfort zones; as a result they produce exceptional and varied work. We consistently see pupils outperform their predicted grades at GCSE, as shown by our continued 100% achievement A* to C and this year, following the new levels, we again gained 100% achievement at 8-4 (equivalent to A* to C) plus two level 9s.
This year our scholars: joined our GCSE art trip to London; took part in GCSE artist workshops and a weekly scholarship activity once a week with GCSE students to extend and consolidate techniques.
“The Art is brilliant.” (Independent Research Company)
“She loves Art. The things they are being taught are brilliant.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
We are looking for pupils who are passionate about their Art, showing enjoyment of the subject and having fun with it through experimentation. They must be able to demonstrate a high level of creativity and technical skill in at least two areas such as drawing / painting, 3D work, clay or wire. Candidates should be committed to challenging and improving their technical ability and knowledge of artists.
Successful candidates are expected to study Art through to GCSE. They will be positive role models, becoming ambassadors for the School and mentoring younger pupils.
Candidates are required to bring in their portfolio on the day of the assessment which should demonstrate their love for the subject and include:
Format
Each candidate will be asked to undertake an observational drawing (any media can be used to shade or colour in.) Other elements of the appraisal include:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. The School has a spacious, dedicated dance studio, which is equipped with full-length mirrors, sprung floor, ballet barres and the provision of IT to facilitate teaching and learning. Our specialist Dance teacher covers the four main strands of Dance within lessons; performance, composition, fitness and appreciation. At Ballard, however, we not only engage pupils as performers but develop them as choreographers and dancers who can analyse their work.
Scholars automatically become members of our established School Dance company called Visions, which is aimed at those who wish to develop their dance skills further and perform in a number of opportunities within School and the wider community throughout the year. The Senior Visions Dance Company has also been out in the community to a number of feeder schools to perform and lead workshops. They have also participated in the National ISA Dance competition and behind the scenes workshops with leading ballet companies.
Dance also plays a key part in many School productions and our Dance scholars take part in the annual ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’. We also run a through-school dance production for pupils in Years 1-11 in alternate years, where everyone is welcome to participate and perform. Dance scholars from the senior school often support our younger pupils in their dance clubs and the opportunity for these pupils to work and perform alongside older dancers provides both inspiration and challenge.
“I wanted to write to congratulate you on the recent dance show, I thought every dance was amazing and graceful and beautifully choreographed. The children all seemed to enjoy it as much as the audience, it was an amazing amalgamation of dance and grace, thank you so much.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
Format
The appraisal includes:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. With specialist facilities for designing and making in both traditional and computer-aided design/manufacture techniques, alongside four Science labs with their own technician, Ballard is well-equipped for STEM.
Ballard’s specialist, dedicated staff have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Design and STEM, incorporating personal tutoring, guidance and activities for scholars relevant to their interests. Ballard has a highly successful record of developing students’ love of STEM not only within the School but also through our links with industry and Universities. The department has a strong history of its students achieving success in national and regional STEM awards.
There is an array of opportunities on offer including participating in a variety of STEM projects, studies and events such as CREST Bronze and Silver Awards, Soroptimist and Green power racing. We also attend STEM activity days such as Teentech and the Education Business Partnership.
“The teachers are inspirational.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
Talented and creative individuals with an exceptional flair for designing and making products and artefacts to a high standard in a variety of materials. Such individuals will demonstrate a love of design in all its facets including individual research and analysis leading to creative and original design solutions. Successful candidates will display highly intuitive and logical problem-solving skills combined with the ability to practically realise their designs using traditional construction methods and/or computer-aided design and manufacture.
STEM scholars may well combine areas of technological interest with elements of Maths or Science to develop solutions to problems. Scholars will be expected to contribute to the department throughout their time at Ballard and become peer leaders and mentors for pupils with interests in similar aspects of Design and STEM. Successful candidates are expected to study Design and Technology at GCSE.
Format
The appraisal includes:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. We have achieved and retained Artsmark Gold from the Arts Council of Great Britain in recognition of our fantastic Arts’ programme. Ballard has its own Performing Arts Centre with a full auditorium, a green room, foyer and sound and lighting box, where all our productions take place.
Ballard offers a wide-range of productions including musicals and plays for scholars to get involved with. Recent performances include a whole-school production of Beauty & The Beast, a senior production of Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills, an Upper Prep performance of Peter Pan, and we are looking forward to our Lower Prep musical – Mary Poppins. Our scholars also take part in the ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’.
“The Drama is fabulous. The Performing Arts Centre is fabulous. It’s better than the theatre his previous school used to rent for shows.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
Format
The appraisal includes:
*Set pieces will be forwarded via e-mail once applications have been received.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. We have achieved and retained Artsmark Gold from the Arts Council of Great Britain in recognition of our fantastic Arts’ programme. Ballard has its own Performing Arts Centre complete with full auditorium, a green room, foyer and sound and lighting box, where all our productions take place.
Ballard offers a wide-range of productions including musicals and plays for scholars to get involved with. Recent performances include a whole-school production of Beauty & The Beast, a senior production of Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills, an upper prep performance of Peter Pan, and we are looking forward to our lower prep musical – Mary Poppins. Our scholars also take part in the ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’.
“The Music Department is the best ever. Both of my elder children are doing Music A-level based on their experience at Ballard and the teaching they received there.” (Ballard Parent)
What we are looking for:
Format
The appraisal includes:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. We have achieved and retained Artsmark Gold from the Arts Council of Great Britain in recognition of our fantastic Arts’ programme. Ballard has its own Performing Arts Centre with a full auditorium, a green room, foyer and sound and lighting box, where all our productions take place.
Ballard offers a wide-range of productions including dance shows, musicals and plays for scholars to get involved with. Recent performances include a whole-school dance show and a whole-school production of Beauty & The Beast, a senior production of Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills, an Upper Prep performance of Peter Pan, and we are looking forward to our Lower Prep musical – Mary Poppins. Our scholars also take part in the ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’.
Each of our Performing Arts Departments have an incredible GCSE record and are staffed by passionate professionals whose enthusiasm and talent are infectious.
“Ballard School offers a diverse and extensive range of arts enrichment and extra-curricular activities, which contributes well to its nurturing ethos. It is evident from Ballard’s submission that it positively views the arts as fundamental to the School’s success and that the arts make a very important contribution to the School’s good reputation in the local community, by attracting both pupils and high-quality staff to the School. Congratulations on the achievement of several national awards during your Artsmark journey, in recognition of your on-going commitment to the arts. A further strength of the School is their established partnerships with a variety of arts organisations, which affords pupils exciting and inspiring learning opportunities…. Congratulations on your Artsmark Gold Award!” (Arts Council of Great Britain)
What we are looking for:
Format
The appraisal includes:
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Why Ballard
Ballard is an award-winning School which balances an ethos of sport for all with National and Regional success for both teams and individuals. Our specialist staff have expertise across a range of games, as well as in fitness, diet and nutrition, thus helping our scholars reach their full potential.
There are many opportunities for scholars to gain International and National experience, not only playing in tournaments but on sports’ tours to Malta (Year 8 – Year 10), Liddington (Year 9) and Jersey (Year 7 & Year 8). As well as winning a wide-range of team competitions, we also support pupils in their success out of School across a wide range of representative sports.
Ballard is the training centre for Lymington Netball, New Forest Volleyball and New Forest Cricket Clubs. We also run sports camps out of term time for pupils to continue their training.
“The opportunities to participate in sporting activities are extensive and ensures that all pupils achieve personal success, as seen in the numerous successes achieved by School teams and individuals, at ocal and national level. Pupils who compete in sports such as swimming and skiing for local clubs or at county or higher level are well supported by the School. Individual programmes are provided by the School if extended leave of absence is required to enable high level competition!” (ISI)
What we are looking for:
Candidates will be asked to provide a testimonial from their school and clubs as well as any other information relevant to their application.
Format
The appraisal includes;
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year