Scholarships

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.

• Candidates must be working well above the national expectation for their age.
• Candidates must be a good citizen and uphold the School’s values.
• Candidates’ attitude to learning will be second to none; giving their best consistently both in class and home learning. They will have an inquisitive mind and seek opportunities to excel.

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:

• GL Assessment CAT 4 test
• Creative writing
• Mathematics
• Debating
• Reasoning

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:

• GL Assessment CAT 4 test.
• An assessment in each of the selected strengths (see individual Scholarships for more information).

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:

• Work from school
• Work from any outside art clubs or home
• Notes on gallery visits alongside evidence of the visit: postcards, pictures of artists/paintings/sculptures in the gallery and, where possible, work inspired by the visit
• Photographs of any out-sized 3D work
• Examples of any smaller scale 3D work

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:

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test
• An interview with the Head of Art during which their portfolio will be discussed
• We will also be contacting your current Headmaster and Head of Art directly for a reference.

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:

• Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a high level of dance ability with strong technique and skills in at least one style of dance with the potential to develop further.
• Candidates will need to be passionate about dance and committed to developing their contemporary dance technique, choreography and performance skills.
• Candidates will be expected to be of at least Grade 5 standard or equivalent in their chosen style of dance.
• Successful candidates are expected to play an active role in the Dance department participating as a full member of the School Dance Company, Visions, and performing in a variety of Dance productions.
• Successful candidates are expected to study Dance through to GCSE. If for any reason this is not possible upon entry into Year 10, then the tenure of the Scholarship will be reviewed in light of past and present involvement in the Dance department.

Format

The appraisal includes:

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test
• An interview with the Dance teacher

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:

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test
• Development and construction of a design solution to solve an everyday problem. An analysis of the problem, development sketches with explanatory notes and a final idea clearly presented will be expected.
• Each candidate will have an informal interview with the Head of Design & Technology where they will be asked to go through their portfolio and explain their work and passion for designing and making. They should explain their thoughts about their successes, probable failures and how they wish to develop in future. They could choose a Designer, Engineer or Technologist they admire and explain why.
• For STEM scholarship, a Maths test will also be sat on the day.

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:

• Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a talent for acting and interest in different theatrical genres.
• Candidates should have a high standard of written work in response to theatre.
• Candidates should show confidence and preferably experience in their performance, demonstrating their passion for Drama.
• Successful candidates are expected to study Drama at GCSE. If for any reason this is not possible, upon entry into Year 10, the tenure of the Scholarship will be reviewed in light of past and present involvement within the Performing Arts Department.
• Candidates must ensure they have attended a recent theatre performance, on which they can base their review for the examination on the day.
• Candidates should also provide all references pertaining to any significant performances and bring them on the day.

Format

The appraisal includes:

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test
• An audition with the Drama teacher where the candidate will perform their chosen monologue from the set pieces* provided by the School

*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:

• Candidates should be passionate about their music-making and committed to challenging and improving their musical understanding and skills.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate a confident and secure level of performance on at least one instrument or voice and have an understanding of Music theory and practice appropriate to their specialism.
• Candidates will be committed to participating in a range of musical ensembles as appropriate to their instrument or voice.
• Candidates will be expected to be at least Grade 3 (Year 7) or Grade 4 (Year 9) standard or equivalent on their first instrument and demonstrate a passion and commitment to music. (There is no requirement to have taken the Grade 3 or 4 exam).
• Candidates may opt for a specialisation of Choral, Classical or Contemporary (Popular) depending on their skill base and musical preferences. Some candidates may demonstrate ability across more than one of these areas and are welcome to demonstrate this versatility during the audition process.
• Successful candidates would normally be expected to study Music through to GCSE, unless the options do not permit this; then candidates are expected to be fully involved in the Music Department’s ensembles, choirs, orchestras, etc.

Format

The appraisal includes:

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test..
• They will also audition which will require all candidates to:
• Perform two contrasting pieces of their choice. These may be on different instruments if applicable.
• Discuss their portfolio and musical achievements with the Director of Music and Performing Arts, Mrs V Gray.
• Candidates will then be required to demonstrate ability in supporting tests. These may include:
  • Play scales of the expected grade standard
  • play / sing at sight
  • complete ear tests (Aural)
  • sit a theory paper
  • improvisation

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:

• Candidates who can demonstrate a special aptitude for the Performing Arts.
• Candidates must be able to show significant ability in at least two of the following three disciplines: Dance, Drama and Singing.
• Candidates must participate in all three disciplines within the School and commit to relevant performances.
• Candidates must perform in front of a small audience in addition to the scholarship panel on the assessment day.
• Successful candidates are expected to study at least one Performing Arts subject at GCSE. If for any reason this is not possible, upon entry into Year 10, then the tenure of the Scholarship will be reviewed in light of past and present involvement within the Performing Arts Department.

Format

The appraisal includes:

• AGL Assessment CAT 4 test
• An audition which will require all candidates to:
• Perform one piece of their own choice of material. This could represent the candidate’s strongest performance discipline or demonstrate integration of the disciplines; for example, a song with choreography
• Select and prepare one piece to perform from the set pieces* provided by the School. The list will include drama monologues, songs from Musical Theatre repertoire and stimuli or music for dance
• Demonstrate at least two disciplines in their choices
• Participate in a short group activity or improvisation exercise and demonstrate aural awareness through ear tests or sight-reading

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 with exceptional sporting talent and the ability to play in the School’s ‘A’ teams within their specific age group.
• Candidates should demonstrate all-round sporting ability and we would expect at least one, if not more, sports to be at County standard. Core sports are: Hockey, Netball, Football, Rugby, Swimming, Athletics, Cross-Country and Cricket.
• Candidates are welcome to show expertise in non-core sports such as Volleyball, Basketball, Handball or Dance but we expect a full and highly proficient involvement in two or more of the core sports quoted above.
• Potential and willingness to improve and get involved.
• Candidates are expected to be fully involved in the core sports and activities before and after School.

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;

• A GL Assessment CAT 4 test.
• Candidates will be assessed for the following: ball skills, fitness, endurance, agility, co-ordination, team work and leadership qualities.
• Candidates will be required to be involved in activities that demonstrate an ability to play games with a variety of different emphasis and also type of ball.
• Candidates will undergo a series of physical tests to measure current fitness and to try to establish their future potential for physical development.

More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year