Scholarships
Introduction
Scholarships are currently awarded across a variety of disciplines into Year 7 and Year 9*. First and foremost, we are looking for pupils with an exceptional talent who also display the Ballard values. At Ballard, our Scholarship Programme is based on enrichment and nurturing individual talent or talents. If successful, you may receive up to 10% discount on your child’s fees, alongside entry into the relevant programme for your child’s behalf. You may apply for up to three scholarships and therefore entry into three programmes. These programmes foster your child’s talent and give them opportunities over and above all the incredible things on offer at Ballard e.g. our academic scholars visited CERN and the UN on a fully funded trip to Geneva.
“The principle behind our Scholarship awards is that they enable Ballard to attract and reward exceptional pupils who have a talent and on-going passion for particular areas of School life. Our Scholarships reflect our holistic approach to education and allow us to celebrate pupils’ outstanding abilities in a variety of subject areas. This approach is reflected in the design of our Scholarship programme. On application, potential Scholars can opt to demonstrate their strength in up to three specialisms, catering for pupils with a breadth of interests and aptitudes, alongside pupils who excel in one area.
Pupils with an academic specialism will have thirst for knowledge and a love of learning. These pupils will be curious, creative, work independently and develop their interests by reading widely. Scholars with multiple specialisms will be at home on the sports’ field, on stage or in the art and DT studios, as well as displaying curiosity and an appetite for knowledge in the classroom.
We are looking for exceptional talent; our Scholarships will reward potential, passion, dedication and resilience as well as skill, knowledge and aptitude in the chosen subjects.
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 note that there are only a small number of places available in Year 9 at Ballard and Scholars take priority for these places.
Please contact our registrar: registrar@ballardschool.co.uk to enquire about our Scholarship Programme for 2025 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.
The Application Process
If you believe that your child has an exceptional talent then we would love them to apply for one of our Scholarships. 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. Unfortunately, we can’t offer a scholarship to pupils on our waiting list so we encourage you to contact our Registrar as early as possible.
Internal and External Candidates – Deadline for Applications and Scholarship Days
The deadline for an expression of interest is the end of the Autumn Term prior to your child’s start date. We have now closed the applications for 2024 entry.
For September 2025 entry into Year 7 or Year 9 the deadline is Friday 13th December 2024. Please contact our friendly Registrar team to find out more
Ballard Scholarships: Year 7 and Year 9 assessment requirements and subject information
During the assessment window, all candidates will be required to;
- Submit a letter of application.
- Complete an online assessment.
- Submit an electronic portfolio of supporting work and achievements.
- Attend an interview with the Headmaster and Director of Co-Curricular.
In addition, candidates will be required to demonstrate strength in their chosen specialism(s). They must select at least one and may select a maximum of three specialisms in any combination from the following list: Academic, Art, Dance, Drama, DT, Musical Theatre, Music, Sport.
It is perfectly acceptable for candidates to focus on one specialism, if this is where they excel, however, Ballard pupils often enjoy a broad range of interests and Scholarship applicants should take the opportunity to demonstrate these, where appropriate.
Please note that there are only a limited number of Year 9 places available each year.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year following receipt of an Expression of Interest form.
Academic Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
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. On a subject level, these include ‘Texts to Stretch’, UK Mathematics Trust Mentoring, The Royal Institution Young Membership and subscriptions to the Mary Glasgow foreign language magazines. Our Progress, Tracking and Teaching Lead oversees the Academic Scholars and organises a termly supper club during which time the pupils debate a ‘Big Question’ prepared by the University of Oxford. The Academic Scholars are also responsible for producing the termly Scholar Magazine.
“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. 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.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Academic assessment includes:
- Creative writing
- Mathematics
- Debating
- Reasoning
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Drama Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
Why Ballard 
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. We have achieved 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 in. Recent performances include musicals, such as ‘Matilda‘ ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ and plays including ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ and ‘Peter Pan’. Our scholars also take part in the ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’. In addition, we frequently participate in external festivals and competitions, including the Shakespeare Schools Film Festival.
“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.
- Candidates must ensure they have attended a recent theatre performance, on which they can base their review for the Assessment day.
- Successful candidates are expected to play an active role in the Drama department participating in School productions and mentoring younger pupils.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Drama assessment includes:
- An audition where candidates will perform a monologue of their own choice, or one from a list of suggestions provided by the School (this will be provided after application).
- An improvisation workshop in which candidates will collaborate and perform.
- A written review of a recently seen production. There will also be an opportunity for candidates to talk to the Head of Drama and discuss their portfolio and achievements.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Dance Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
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, 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 visit local 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 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 as part of events calendar, in which every pupil has the opportunity to participate. Dance scholars from the senior school often mentor 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 3 standard or equivalent in their chosen style of dance for our Year 7 applicants and Grade 4 for the Year 9 applicants.
- 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.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Dance assessment includes:
- A contemporary dance style workshop, in which candidates will learn and perform a set sequence and creative task.
- An audition where candidates will perform a solo dance of 1-1.5 minutes, prepared from a choice of stimuli provided by the School (this will be provided after application). There will also be an opportunity for candidates to talk to the Head of Dance and discuss their portfolio and achievements.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Music Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
Why Ballard 
Ballard is an award-winning School which celebrates curiosity, drive and independence. Ballard has its own Performing Arts Centre, complete with auditorium, green room, foyer and sound and lighting box, where all our productions take place. We are fully equipped with a Yamaha TF5 sound desk, FLX lighting desk, iMac, remote app access and a Dante network.
In addition to the PAC, The Music Department (a self-contained building) houses several peripatetic teaching rooms, alongside ensemble rehearsal rooms and a fully equipped music technology suite housing 16 iMacs each running Logic Pro X and Sibelius Ultimate. We also have a fully equipped ‘on the road’ sound stage solution (set up in our Live Room). At the heart of this set-up is a Behringer X32, a host of Mics (KSM137, SM58, SM57, 7MB and others), Turbo Sound Speaker System, Roland and Kawai keyboards, Tama Drum Kit and a host of other musical instruments.
The Music Department runs a full calendar of annual concerts, gigs and recitals, A highlight of our school year is School Carol Service, held each year at Christchurch Priory and we are also regularly involved in both community and charity events outside School. From time to time we undertake European tours, and we look to provide the best opportunities for our pupils at events on a local and national stage. We have strong links with Bournemouth Symphony Chorus. GCSE results in the department are outstanding and many of our pupils go on to study Music or Music Technology after Ballard, returning as Alumni to continue their involvement within the Department, helping, supporting, and mentoring. In addition, the Music Department is heavily involved in the School’s busy programme of musical productions. Recently these have included; Matilda, Singin in the Rain and Beauty & The Beast and Mary Poppins. Music scholars also take part in the annual ‘Performing Arts Scholars Showcase’.
Peripatetic music lessons are delivered by a team of 14 professional musicians. A high percentage of pupils take individual music lessons and our staff cover exam syllabi from a range of boards including ABRSM, Trinity and Rock School.
“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 expected to be of a Grade 3 standard by Year 7 and Grade 4 by Year 9. This must be on their first instrument or voice. They will demonstrate a passion and commitment to music. There is no requirement to have taken the Grade 3 or 4 exam.
- Candidates may demonstrate their ability across more than one genre of music making. Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Rock etc.
- Successful candidates will be expected to play an active role in the Music Department and will be committed to participating in a range of musical ensembles as appropriate to their instrument or voice, performing in regular concerts and mentoring younger pupils.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Music assessment includes:
- An audition, which will require the candidate to perform two contrasting pieces of their own choice. These may be on different instruments if applicable.
- Candidates will then be required to demonstrate ability in supporting tests. These may include:
- Scales and arpeggios from the expected standard of grade.
- Play / sing at sight
- Complete ear tests (Aural)
- Sit a theory paper
- Improvisation as appropriate
There will also be an opportunity for candidates to talk to the Head of Drama and discuss their portfolio and achievements.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Musical Theatre Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
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.
Musical Theatre is a vital part of our Performing Arts programme at Ballard. Recent productions have included; Beauty and the Beast, Singin in the Rain, Mary Poppins and our recent production of Matilda. In addition, there is a Show Chorus performing musical theatre repertoire and plentiful performance opportunities throughout the year through competitions and festivals. We have strong links with local drama schools. 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 should demonstrate a passion for Musical Theatre and a love of performing.
- Candidates must be able to show significant ability in at least two of the following three disciplines: Dance, Drama and Singing.
- Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to participate and improve in all three disciplines.
- Successful candidates must participate in a range of Performing Arts activities in the School and commit to relevant performances.
- Successful candidates are expected to audition for relevant School productions and take a leading role where appropriate, modelling behaviour and discipline and mentoring younger pupils.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Musical Theatre assessment includes:
- An audition where candidates will perform two contrasting pieces of their own choice of musical theatre material. These should demonstrate integration of the disciplines of singing, acting and dancing, though it is not essential to include all three.
- A Viva voce assessment where candidates will be asked questions about their pieces and the characters they are portraying.
- Participate in a short group activity or improvisation exercise and demonstrate aural awareness through ear tests or sight-reading.
- There will also be an opportunity for candidates to talk to the Director of Performing Arts and discuss their portfolio and achievements.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Art Scholarship into Year 7 and Year 9
Why Ballard 
Art at Ballard is renowned for its diversity, talent, quality and 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 works 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 and consistently excellent GCSE results.
Our scholars are invited to join our GCSE students on any gallery trips and artist workshops. They are also invited to join an art enrichment activity which runs alongside our GCSE student’s activity, encouraging familiarity with the students and the techniques used and standard of their work.
“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:
- Candidates should be 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 with passion and be positive role models, becoming ambassadors for the school and mentoring younger pupils.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Art assessment includes:
- A practical assessment where candidates will undertake an observational drawing (any media can be used to shade or colour it.)
- In addition to the electronic portfolio required from all candidates, artists are required to bring in an Art 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
- There will be an opportunity to discuss their portfolio and achievements with the Head of Art.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Design & Technology (DT) Scholarships into Year 7 and Year 9
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, Our CAD suite is equipped with seven 3D printers, two laser cutters and a vinyl cutter along with a full equipped workshop.
Ballard’s specialist, dedicated staff have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Design and Technology and CAD/CAM, incorporating personal tutoring, guidance and activities for scholars relevant to their interests. Ballard has a highly successful record of developing students’ love of design 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 are an array of opportunities on offer, including participating in a variety Co-curricular activities and competitions. DT Scholars will be given specialist training on all workshop machine and CAD/CAM Facilities. During all projects the DT scholars are given an opportunity to incorporate all elements of DT into their projects and push their design ideas into realisation.
“The teachers are inspirational.” (Ballard Parent)
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like, It’s the way it works.” (Steve Jobs)
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.
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 Technology. DT Scholars are expected to take an active role in the support of prop making and set design for school production and events.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the DT assessment includes:
- A practical assessment where candidates will undertake a short focused based practical task
- Completion of annotations on a design sheet or a chosen product or design
- In addition to the electronic portfolio required from all candidates, DT candidates are required to bring in a Design portfolio on the day of the assessment which should demonstrate their love for the subject and include:
- A wide range of design sketches
- Examples of any technical drawing methods such as Isometric, 1 and 2 point perspective
- Work from any outside art clubs or home
- Screen shots of any CAD/ CAM work- including TinkerCAD, google sketch up, Fusion 360 or even Minecraft
- Photographs of any projects made at home
- 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.
More details about the day will be provided to applicants in the New Year.
Sports Scholarships into Year 7 and Year 9
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. We also work with local Physios, Doctors, as well as Personal Trainers to manage injuries, complete reports and record fitness improvements.
There are many opportunities for scholars to gain International and National experience, not only playing in local and national tournaments but on sports’ tours too. As well as participating in 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 New Forest Timberwolves Basketball and New Forest Cricket Clubs.
“The opportunities to participate in sporting activities are extensive and ensure that all pupils achieve personal success, as seen in the numerous successes achieved by School teams and individuals, at local 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) We also have pupils who compete at an International level for horse-riding, karate and sailing as well as alumni who play hockey, row, sail and windsurf at the highest level including Olympic and world medalists.
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, Equestrian, Tennis or skiing, 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.
- Successful candidates are expected to be fully involved in the core sports and activities programme.
Format
In addition to the general assessment requirements, the Sport assessment includes:
- A testimonial from the candidate’s School and clubs as well as any other information relevant to their application. (This can be included in the portfolio).
- A practical assessment where candidates will take part in a range of activities that demonstrate an ability to play games with a variety of different emphasis and also type of ball. They will be assessed for the following: ball skills, fitness, endurance, agility, co-ordination, teamwork and leadership qualities.
- 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.
