Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.1.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Ballard School ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## News - [News](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/news/) - Stay up to date with the latest at Ballard School, through our news page. - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 31st August](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/09/07/ballard-bulletin-w-c-31st-august/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [The Ballard Blast - From Classroom to Olympic Stage: A Conversation with Matthew Aldridge](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/08/30/the-ballard-blast-from-classroom-to-olympic-stage-a-conversation-with-matthew-aldridge/) - The Ballard Blast - From Classroom to Olympic Stage: A Conversation with Matthew Aldridge Our latest Ballard Blast podcast is now available. In this special episode, Mr Whalen sits down with Matthew Aldridge, our former Head Boy who recently returned to present prizes at our Speech Day. Now an elite athlete for Great - [What a Year - Speech Day 2026 A Year in Review](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/23/what-a-year-speech-day-2026-a-year-in-review/) - A Year to Celebrate In Mr Turner's First address as Head at Ballard Speech day, he was able to share some of the highlights throughout the year. From national awards and sporting success to unforgettable trips, performances and charitable endeavours, our Headmaster looks back on another remarkable year at Ballard and the many achievements of - [Ballard Recognised in Telegraph Best Value Private Schools Awards](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/08/21/ballard-recognised-in-telegraph-best-value-private-schools-awards/) - We are proud to announce that we have been recognised in the Telegraph Best Value Private Schools Awards, receiving a "Very Good" rating. This prestigious recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for every student while offering excellent value for families. The award reflects the strength of our academic provision, the - [GCSEs - Record Breaking Value Added for Class of 2026](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/08/21/7462/) - GCSEs at Ballard Record Breaking Value Added for Class of 2026 We are celebrating yet another exceptional year of GCSE success, with a sensational overall value-added score of +1.34 up from +0.89 last year and nearly tripling the national gold standard of 0.5. On average across every subject, each pupil achieved 1.34 grades higher than - [ISA Athletics – National Success](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/08/17/isa-athletics-national-success/) - Our congratulations go to the 11 Ballard pupils who proudly represented both the school and the ISA London West region at the ISA National Athletics Championships, held at the iconic Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Monday. This world-class venue - renowned for hosting major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and performances from Olympic athletes such as Jessica Ennis-Hill - [British Science Week Sparks Curiosity Across the School](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/13/british-science-week-sparks-curiosity-across-the-school/) - What a fantastic week of activities and opportunities. I've turned the content into a cohesive website news story while keeping the key details, quotes and achievements intact. British Science Week Sparks Curiosity Across the School Wow, what a wonderful Science Week we have had! A huge thank you to our amazing Science teachers and all - [Variety Show](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/24/variety-show/) - Around 150 pupils from Years 3–11 took part in our al fresco Variety Show, set against the beautiful backdrop of our Victorian Water Garden. True to its name, the evening offered a wonderfully varied programme, with audiences enjoying everything from Musical Theatre favourites and contemporary dance to physical theatre, harp performances, handbells and even a - [Year 7 Shakespeare Festival](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/17/year-7-shakespeare-festival/) - As part of our annual Shakespeare celebrations, Year 7 have been learning all about the Great Bard and creating an array of Elizabethan items, including: scale-model Globe Theatres, Elizabethan recipe biscuits and cakes, Shakespeare Top Trumps, original costume designs, and a beautiful musical performance of Greensleeves. Well done, Year 7. Here is a short video - [Ballard Alumna Lucy Clarke Set to Publish New Destination Thriller](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/24/ballard-alumna-lucy-clarke-set-to-publish-new-destination-thriller/) - Ballard alumna and bestselling author Lucy Clarke has revealed details of her latest destination thriller, Wish You Were Here, which will be published in the UK on 11 February 2027. Set in the remote and dramatic Azores islands in the Atlantic, the novel follows five friends who reunite to honour the memory of Danny Wilder, - [Pre-Prep Pupils Shine at Showcase Performance](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/24/pre-prep-pupils-shine-at-showcase-performance/) - What a treat for our Pre-Prep families our Pre-Prep Showcase was. Children from Nursery to Year 2 took to the stage in the Performing Arts Centre for a vibrant showcase of music, dance and gymnastics. Pupils delighted the audience with a lively programme, demonstrating the skills they have developed throughout the year. Musical performances included - [Year 7 & 8 Careers Day](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/20/year-7-8-careers-day/) - Year 7 and Year 8 pupils recently took part in an engaging careers workshop delivered by The Inspirational Learning Group (TILG) in partnership with British Airways as part of the Future Airline Challenge, organised by Miss Rothwell, Careers Lead. During the session, pupils stepped into the role of business teams to design their own airline - [Speech Day 2026 - Matthew Aldridge, former Head Boy, Olympic medallist and World Champion rower](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/22/speech-day-2026-matthew-aldridge-former-head-boy-olympic-medallist-and-world-champion-rower/) - Inspirational Olympic Medallist We were delighted to welcome back Olympic medallist, World Champion and former Ballard Head Boy Matthew Aldridge for Speech Day, where he shared powerful lessons on resilience, perseverance and embracing challenges. "It was great coming back and seeing everyone and being given the opportunity to speak and share a few messages. It - [Sport for All Day Celebrates Participation and Personal Achievement](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/22/sport-for-all-day-celebrates-participation-and-personal-achievement/) - Pupils from Years 7 to 10 enjoyed an exciting and action-packed Sport for All Day, designed to encourage participation, teamwork and enjoyment through a wide range of sporting activities and challenges. Throughout the day, pupils had the opportunity to take part in a diverse programme of events, showcasing both traditional and alternative sports. Competitive events - [Ballard Scoops Global 100 Award](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/06/ballard-scoops-global-100-award/) - We are delighted to announce that Ballard is the winner of Global 100’s Best Education Management Business of the Year 2026 (UK). The awards team said: "Ballard School stands out for its values-led approach, academic strength and broad co-curricular opportunities. Set between the New Forest and the Solent, the school continues to earn recognition - [Ballard School marks 30th Anniversary Milestone](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/22/ballard-school-marks-30th-anniversary-milestone/) - Ballard School has reached the milestone under the leadership of its new headmaster, Stuart Turner, and will celebrate with a special event on June 26. Mr Turner said: "This promises to be a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together as we approach the end of another fantastic school year and celebrate. "While there - [Art Trail](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/22/art-trail/) - We are delighted to share some exciting news from the Art Department. A selection of work created by our Class of 2025 GCSE Art and Textiles pupils will feature in New Milton's first-ever Art Trail, taking place from 1–15 August 2026. The event has been organised by the Friends of New Milton Station, with the - [Year 7 Explore Pond Close Stream](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/20/year-7-explore-pond-close-stream/) - Recently, our Year 7 geographers swapped the classroom for wellies and headed outdoors to investigate Pond Close Stream, which runs right through the school grounds. The fieldwork gave students the chance to experience geography first-hand while enjoying time in the fresh air. As part of their enquiry, students worked in small groups to measure the - [10 Lions heading to the Gothia Youth World Cup](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/08/10-lions-heading-to-the-gothia-youth-world-cup/) - Future Lions Made@Ballard “We are incredibly proud to have 10 of our pupils selected to represent the Prep School Lions at the Gothia World Youth Cup this summer. This prestigious tournament offers a remarkable opportunity to compete on an international stage, facing some of the very best young players from across the globe. The - [Ballard School Celebrates 30 Years and Welcomes New Headmaster](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/23/ballard-school-celebrates-30-years-and-welcomes-new-headmaster/) - Ballard School in New Milton is celebrating its 30th anniversary – a major milestone which coincides with the arrival of a new Headmaster. While there has been a school on the site since 1895, it is officially 30 years since it became Ballard School – and leading the award-winning independent school into its fourth decade - [Science Festival Project Curiosity](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/31/science-festival-project-curiosity/) - For the theme of this year's British Science Week, we ran our own "Curiosity Competition". See our interview with Head of Science Mr Markar. The entries were amazing! Winners One of the standouts was a working model of engine pistons created by Will S in Year 9. Our other - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 22nd June](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/30/ballard-bulletin-w-c-22nd-june/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 6th July](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/13/ballard-bulletin-w-c-6th-july/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Teams Shine at the Bryanston Triathlon](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/03/ballard-teams-shine-at-the-bryanston-triathlon/) - Well done to our 14 teams who competed in the Bryanston Triathlon, with Ballard proudly fielding the largest number of teams. Together, our teams have already raised an amazing £4,821, with the total expected to exceed £5,000. A truly outstanding achievement. Well done, all. A special mention goes to Bush Potatoes with a cherry on - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 29th June](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/06/ballard-bulletin-w-c-29th-june/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Blast Podcast ep 2 - Co-Curricular](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/07/03/ballard-blast-podcast-ep-2-co-curricular/) - Welcome to the latest episode of The Ballard Blast – your go-to for all things Ballard! In this episode, our Headmaster, Mr Turner, shines a spotlight on the wealth of co-curricular opportunities available at Ballard School. From sport and performing arts to clubs, leadership and outdoor learning, discover how these experiences help our pupils explore - [Spring Term Highlights](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/11/6771/) - We are delighted to share our Spring Term Highlights, now available to explore and celebrate all the inspiring experiences our children have enjoyed in the Spring Term. From the Ballard mallards to New York City, from Stonehenge to striking portrait work, the range of learning and creativity on show is truly remarkable. Featuring highlights such - [Introducing The Ballard Blast Podcast](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/12/6992/) - We are excited to launch our brand-new school podcast, The Ballard Blast – your go‑to for all things Ballard! Hosted by our Headmaster Mr Stuart Turner and joined by our fantastic Head Girl Nina Matthew and Head Boy Tom Wiggett, this podcast brings you the voices, stories and highlights from life at Ballard School. From - [Team of the Week (22/06/25)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/22/team-of-the-week-22-06-25/) - A huge well done to last week’s Team of the Week. A huge congratulations to Teddy, Austin, Sterling, Oran, Jasper, James, Tommy G, and Luke from our U10/11 cricket team, who represented us brilliantly at the New Milton Cricket Club Festival this week! They were outstanding throughout the tournament - celebrating every player, warmly - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 18th May](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/01/6828/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 15th June](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/22/ballard-bulletin-w-c-15th-june/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Team of the Week (15/06/26)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/15/team-of-the-week-15-06-26/) - A huge well done to last week's Team of the Week. We are proud to celebrate Josh, Teddy, Iris and Isla for winning their age-group Interhouse Swimming Gala events in front crawl, breaststroke and backstroke races. An outstanding achievement – well done to you all! #Sport #TeamofTheWeek #education #congratulations #BallardSchool #Belong #Thrive #Achieve - [Alumni Katie Kennedy Returns](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/09/alumni-katie-kennedy-returns/) - It was lovely to welcome back Katie Kennedy, who left in 2017. She has just returned from a world tour in Life of Pi and is now working as a Disney Princess in Paris. - [Team of the Week (08/06/25)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/11/team-of-the-week-08-06-25/) - Well done to our latest Team of the Week (08/06/25) "We are proud to celebrate Ivy, Sophie, Bodhi and Joshua in long-distance running; Sofia in discus; Isaac in hurdles; Cian, Will, Theo and Bodhi (U13 Boys Relay) and Olivia, Rosa, Sophie and Ivy (U13 Girls Relay). All have qualified to compete at the ISA National Athletics Championships - [Explorer Benedict Allen Inspires Pupils at Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/08/explorer-benedict-allen-inspires-pupils-at-ballard/) - “Tuesday saw the return of world-renowned explorer and author Benedict Allen. He last visited in March for World Book Day and returned to launch his new children’s book, Nine Times I Nearly Died. The book is a collection of the close shaves Benedict has experienced on his adventures. It is aimed at children aged 7–14 - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 5th June](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/08/ballard-bulletin-w-c-5th-june/) - Welcome to the latest Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [ISA Athletics Success](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/08/isa-athletics-success/) - 34 medals. 11 National Qualifiers. 6 new school records! “Congratulations to our 62 track and field athletes (Years 3-10) who competed in the ISA London West Athletics Championships at Thames Valley Athletics Stadium in Windsor on Wednesday, in challenging conditions. The London West region is one of, if not the most competitive, comprising 120 schools - [Celebrating Our Second Consecutive Eco Schools Green Flag with Distinction](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/03/celebrating-our-second-consecutive-eco-schools-green-flag-with-distinction/) - We are incredibly proud to share that we have been awarded the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag with Distinction for the second year in a row - the highest accolade in this internationally recognised programme. This achievement reflects the passion, commitment and leadership of our Eco Ambassadors, who continue to drive forward our sustainability journey and - [Mary Poppins Junior](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/03/mary-poppins-junior/) - Our recent production of Mary Poppins Junior brought together every pupil from Years 3 to 6 in a vibrant performance across three shows. It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to develop confidence, creativity and teamwork, as they worked collaboratively to bring this much-loved musical to life. Taking part in a production of this - [A huge well done to our Team of the Week from last week.](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/30/a-huge-well-done-to-our-team-of-the-week-from-last-week/) - A huge well done to our Team of the Week from last week. Bea P (Year 6) Cricket vs Walhampton "Outstanding positivity and enjoyment, playing with a constant smile, uplifting those around her, and acting as an excellent role model by respectfully thanking the opposition and confidently leading both teams into match tea." Elsie-Mae N - [Team of the Week (24/04/26)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/24/team-of-the-week-24-04-26/) - Well done to our latest Team of the Week (24/04/26) SAM F Y8 Cricket who showed a positive and reliable leader who kept team spirits high throughout the game and consistently showed excellent sportsmanship. ALEX B Y9 Cricket who showed a determined and effective captain who led confidently and made sure all players were involved and included. SIENNA L - [Team of the Week (15/05/26)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/15/team-of-the-week-15-05-26/) - Well done to our latest Team of the Week (15/05/26) Joseph R Y10 ISA Tennis - who showcased remarkable endurance, skill, and determination in challenging, sunny conditions over 11 matches to earn the title of ISA U15 National Boys’ Runner-Up. Tom N Y10 Cricket vs FSM - who showed brilliant determination with the bat, crafting a superb innings to - [Team of the Week (07/05/26)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/07/team-of-the-week-07-05-26/) - Well done to our Team of the Week (07/05/26) Theo A Y4 Cricket Training who showed great listening skills and enjoyed putting his skills into practice during the match. He batted with confidence and scored a few fantastic fours! Benji L Y8 Cricket vs Boundary Oak who showed real determination scoring valuable runs and brought - [Ballard Alumnus Max Doohan Performs at The O2 with Night Tapes](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/06/01/ballard-alumnus-max-doohan-performs-at-the-o2-with-night-tapes/) - Congratulations to Max Doohan, who is the bassist in ‘Night Tapes’ who performed at The O2 in London, as well as other European cities as the support band for American band, ‘The Neighbourhood.’ Max attended Ballard from Nursery through Year 11 and was an avid drummer and guitarist, playing drums in many of the school - [Wildlife Discovery Morning](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/20/6801/) - We were delighted to welcome families into our grounds last Saturday for our first Woodland Discovery Morning. Children from 2 to 10 years old, enjoyed all that was on offer, including Forest School crafts at our two Forest School sites, our woodland walk, a Nature quiz by the pond, planting seeds in the Pre-Prep garden, - [Ballard Bulletin W/C 15th May](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/19/ballard-bulletin-w-c-15th-may/) - Welcome to our Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Bulletin W/C May 8th](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/11/ballard-bulletin-w-c-may-8th/) - Welcome to our Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Bulletin W/C May 1st](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/05/06/ballard-bulletin-w-c-may-1st/) - Welcome to our Ballard School Bulletin, where you will find the latest news from the week and all the incredible activities our children have been getting up to. - [Ballard Airbourne Brigade Sky Dive](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/09/6690/) - Ballard Airbourne Brigade Sky Dive Five of our intrepid catering team jumped out of a plane at the start of the holidays to raise more money for a charity close to our hearts, Young Lives vs Cancer, raising over £3,500. With a few nerves and a lot of excitement, they flew up to 13,500 ft - [SpringWatch #2 @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/30/springwatch-2-ballard/) - Some amazing new additions have appeared in Pre‑Prep. Nestled in our Reception outdoor area are some beautiful baby robins, whose arrival has brought much excitement. Do not worry, we are keeping their area safe and quiet until the fledglings have flown the nest. Here is some footage from our Robin Cam. - [Construct and Create – Inspiring the Builders of Tomorrow](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/15/construct-and-create-inspiring-the-builders-of-tomorrow/) - Year 8 and 9 pupils took part in an exciting, hands-on careers experience designed to bring the construction industry to life. Working in teams, they explored a range of real-world roles through interactive activities, from design and planning to practical building challenges. The event gave pupils the chance to develop key skills, meet industry professionals, - [Duke of Edinburgh Awards](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/04/27/duke-of-edinburgh-awards/) - Last weekend, 50 of our Bronze and 18 of our Silver Duke of Edinburgh Year 9 and 10 students took part in their practice expeditions. Blessed with sunny weather, pupils set up camp, stayed overnight, and completed their walks across the beautiful New Forest. The evening was spent stargazing, while daytime pupils enjoyed the gorgeous - [Ballard School Music Department – Spring Recital Series Review](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/31/ballard-school-music-department-spring-recital-series-review/) - Our amazing Spring Music Recitals were absolutely superb. It's another example of all the wonderful opportunities here @ Ballard. Our Head of Music, Mr P said “Over the course of two weeks, the Music Department presented a remarkable series of four recitals, each one a celebration of dedication, musical growth, and the joy of performance. - [Gameathon - Young Lives with Cancer](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/25/gameathon-young-lives-with-cancer/) - Finlay's friends worked hard on Tuesday 10th March to raise money in his memory. Andrew, Arthur, George and Harrison officially started gaming at 7 am with the support of Mr and Mrs McCleave, Mrs Gray and Mr Lewis. Throughout the day pupils from Year 8 took it in turns to keep the gaming going. Staff - [New Milton Civic Celebration](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/25/new-milton-civic-celebration/) - Congratulations to Elsie (Year 9), Izzy (Year 11) and Ben (Year 10), who were awarded a Mayor’s Commendation at the New Milton Civic Celebration this week for their outstanding charity work. Elsie was recognised for her recent “Brave the Shave” in support of MacMillan Cancer Support, which has already raised an impressive £2,562. Ben received - [ISA National Cross Country Success](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/06/isa-cross-country-success/) - Congratulations to our outstanding pupils, who took on the ISA National Cross‑Country on Saturday at the beautiful Himley Hall in Dudley, Birmingham. Five dedicated runners proudly represented Ballard and the London West region, lining up against 70 other competitors from as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Cornwall. They rose to the - [County Cross Country Success](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/03/06/county-cross-country-success/) - On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of taking three Ballard pupils to the Hampshire County Cross Country Championships in Basingstoke to proudly represent the New Forest. All three ran brilliantly against some very tough competition with over 100 runners in each race, with only the top 15 going through to the next round. Josh W - [Basketball Regional Champions!](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/02/25/basketball-regional-champions/) - A huge congratulations to our U14 boys, who won the ISA London West Regional Basketball competition yesterday. We look forward to Friday when the majority of the boys are competing in the South Central Schools Hockey Regional Finals in Reading. What a fantastic achievement, we are so proud of you all. - [New Headmaster Appointed](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2025/12/03/new-headmaster-appointed/) - Ballard School has announced the appointment of a new Headmaster, following the successful tenure of Andrew McCleave, who joined the school in 2018. Stuart Turner, currently Deputy Head at Emanuel School, a large South London co-educational independent school, will take the helm in April next year. He was appointed following a rigorous recruitment process from - [Ballard School Leading the Way in a Phone‑Free Childhood](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2026/01/28/ballard-school-leading-the-way-in-a-phone-free-childhood/) - At Ballard, we are proud to have been one of the first UK schools to introduce the Yondr pouch system, ensuring mobiles stay out of the school day - supporting focus, wellbeing, friendships, and childhood itself. There is something truly magical about hearing pupils singing and chatting on their way to fixtures, inventing games in - [Ballard Art Department Wins Prestigious ISA Award for Excellence in Fine Art and Design 2025](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2025/11/21/ballard-art-department-wins-prestigious-isa-award-for-excellence-in-fine-art-and-design-2025/) - We are delighted to announce that our exceptional Art Department — Mrs Davina Hitchins, Miss Pamela Jackson, Mrs Laura Jarman, and Mrs Shelley Perry — has been recognised nationally by the Independent Schools Association (ISA), winning the ISA Award for Excellence in Fine Art and Design 2025. The ISA commented: “The Awards recognise excellence and - [LEVEL1 at St Mary’s Stadium – A Day of Learning and Adventure](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2025/11/10/a-fantastic-trip-to-st-marys-stadium-southampton/) - Our Year 5 and 6 pupils were thrilled to be the first school invited by Southampton Football Club to experience their brand-new LEVEL1 space at St Mary’s Stadium. This innovative environment has been designed to combine personal development, education, and activity spaces, creating a unique learning experience that blends fun with meaningful learning. The football - [Eco Ambassadors took to the world stage at the COP30 summit](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2025/11/19/4892/) - Our Eco Ambassadors took to the world stage at the COP30 summit. They conducted an online interview with Professor Matt Frost, a prominent marine scientist and climate change expert (amongst other things), Head of the International Office at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The Professor has attended many COPs in the past and is therefore an eminent - [VE Day 80 Celebrations](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/2025/05/13/ve-day-80-celebrations/) - https://issuu.com/ballardschooluk/docs/ve_80_ballard_2025?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw ## Pages - [Welcome to Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/) - Ballard is a thriving and welcoming co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 16. Find out more about our school by browsing our website. - [Welcome to Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/welcome-to-ballard-sandbanks/) - Book now for our Open Morning: Friday, 25th September Call Laura and her friendly Registrar Team on 01425 626900, or email them – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk Reserve your place here Welcome to Ballard School, a multi-award-winning independent co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 16, set within 34 acres of beautiful grounds between the New Forest and - [PSHE](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/pastoral/pshe/) - "Welcome to the PSHE page. As the Head of PSHE, I take great pride in our PSHE programme as it underpins our philosophy of proactive pastoral care. - [Welcome to Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/welcome-to-ballard/) - Book now for our Open Morning: Friday, 25th September Call Laura and her friendly Registrar Team on 01425 626900, or email them – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk Reserve your place here Welcome to Ballard School, a multi-award-winning independent co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 16, set within 34 acres of beautiful grounds between the New Forest - [Welcome to Ballard Socials](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/welcome-to-ballard-socails/) - Book now for our Open Morning: Friday, 25th September Call Laura and her friendly Registrar Team on 01425 626900, or email them – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk Reserve your place here Welcome to Ballard School, a multi-award-winning independent co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 16, set within 34 acres of beautiful grounds between the New Forest and - [Welcome to Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/welcome-to-ballard-att/) - Book now for our Open Morning: Friday, 25th September Call Laura and her friendly Registrar Team on 01425 626900, or email them – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk Reserve your place here Welcome to Ballard School, a multi-award-winning independent co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 16, set within 34 acres of beautiful grounds between the New Forest and - [Uniform](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/uniform/) - We have a uniform policy which outlines everything you need to know about appearance in school, including hair, style of shoes and skirt lengths. - [Food & Menus](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/food-menus/) - At Ballard, healthy eating is taken seriously and we have won numerous awards for our approach. - [Open Mornings](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/open-mornings/) - “All I can say is you will look back and realise that attending Ballard’s Open Morning is one of the best things you have ever done.. - [GCSEs at Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/gcses-at-ballard/) - Record Breaking Top Grades for Class of 2025 - half of all grades 9-7. - [Fees & Bursaries](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/fees-bursaries/) - Fees: Our fees range from £3,455 (Reception) – £6,355 (Year 9 and above) per pupil, per term (Autumn Term, 2024). - [Pre-Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/pre-prep/) - "Simply the best school every day" - Reception Parent. Warp-around care from 8.00am to 5.00pm - [Vacancies](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/vacancies/) - For our latest vacancies, please click here to find out more. - [Reception](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/pre-prep/reception/) - Welcome to reception at Ballard School! - [Stories & Testimonials](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/) - There are many great stories and testimonials of pupils’ achievements and experiences of life at Ballard to share. - [Lihan's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/lihans-story/) - Lihan's Story Lihan joined in Year 4 and gained top grades across the board. He is moving to Exeter and will attend Exeter College for his A- levels in physics, maths, and physical education. ” I am so happy with my results, I couldn’t have done it without the school. The support that my teachers - [Forest School & Beach School](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/forest-school-beach-school/) - At Ballard, we believe that learning should be an adventure. Our bespoke Forest School, launched in 2018, is a cornerstone of our outdoor learning ethos. - [Term Dates](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/term-dates/) - Please find our latest term dates here. - [STEM @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/) - At Ballard, our STEM programme is designed to spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and build confidence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. - [Virtual Tour](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/virtual-tour/) - Welcome to Our Virtual Tour, which is designed to give you a snapshot of our outstanding campus and facilities. - [Arts @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/) - At Ballard School, the Arts are a vibrant and essential part of school life. - [Sport @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/sport-ballard/) - Ballard Sport provides an inclusive, award-winning provision of Physical Education and Games to all pupils from Nursery to Year 11 by specialist staff. - [School Policies](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/school-policies/) - More on our school policies can be found here. - [Box Office](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/box-office/) - Please click here for more information on our box office. - [Admissions](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/) - We would be delighted to welcome you at one of our Open Morning events or a private tour, both of which can be arranged with one of our friendly Admissions Team. - [Co-Curricular](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/co-curricular/) - At Ballard, we have a passion for developing the ‘whole child’. - [Academic and GCSE Success](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/academic/academic-and-gcse-success/) - At Ballard, we believe academic excellence is personal. - [Meet the Leadership Team](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/meet-the-leadership-team/) - Ballard instils a love of learning, both inside and outside the classroom. - [Academic](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/academic/) - We are immensely proud to share that our latest ISI inspection recognised that “whatever their starting point, all pupils make excellent academic progress at Ballard” - [Summer Activity Camps](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/summer-activity-camps/) - Wild Adventure Company Summer Activity Camps We are delighted to be introducing The Wild Adventure Company, a new summer activity camp at Ballard. You can enrol your child for the day or a weeklong experience where they can enjoy multi sports, creative skills, bushcraft and much more in a safe and fun environment. Sport specific - [Summer Clubs](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/summer-clubs/) - Wild Adventure Company Summer Activity Camps We are delighted to be introducing The Wild Adventure Company, a new summer activity camp at Ballard. You can enrol your child for the day or a weeklong experience where they can enjoy multi sports, creative skills, bushcraft and much more in a safe and fun environment. Sport specific - [Meet the Head](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/meet-the-head/) - When I ask our parents why they are happy they chose Ballard for their son or daughter, they give me many reasons. - [Inspection Reports](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/inspection-reports/) - Please click here for our inspection reports. - [Senior](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/senior/) - RECORD BREAKING GRADE 9-7 RESULTS FOR BALLARD’S CLASS OF 2024. - [Geography](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/geography/) - Geography includes many elements including English, Languages, History and Maths. - [Religious Studies](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/religious-studies/) - With our Christian foundation, we aim to enable our pupils to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith and its relevance in today’s world. - [Pastoral](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/pastoral/) - What do we mean by “pastoral care?”. Very often pastoral care in schools is associated with reactive safeguarding, dealing with behaviour and issuing sanctions. - [Dance](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/dance/) - Dance is enjoyed by Ballard pupils throughout the School, from Kindergarten to GCSE level. - [Year 7 Admissions Day](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/year-7-admissions-day/) - The deadline to register for Year 7, September 2026 entry has now passed. - [Art](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/art/) - At the heart of our school’s creative spirit, the Art Department inspires curiosity, cultivates skill, and celebrates individual expression. - [Science](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/science/) - Science is about understanding and modelling the world in which we live, and applying that knowledge to improve our lives through invention and technology. - [Mathematics](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/mathematics/) - Mathematics is one of the most widely applied subjects in the world—and at Ballard, it’s a core part of our curriculum. - [Upper Prep Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/upper-prep-gallery/) - Please click here for our upper prep gallery. - [Scholarships](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/admissions/scholarships/) - We are looking for exceptionally talented pupils who show passion, dedication and resilience as well as skill, knowledge and aptitude in their chosen disciplines. - [English](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/english/) - The English Department strives to develop articulate, thoughtful, and empathetic pupils through a rich and rigorous curriculum. - [Textiles](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/textiles/) - Textiles education is a vital part of a well-rounded curriculum, offering pupils from Reception through to Year 11. - [Food Preparation & Nutrition](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/food-preparation-nutrition/) - At Ballard, we aim to provide a safe, challenging, positive and creative working environment, which encourages every pupil to work to the best of their ability. - [Academic Support](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/academic/academic-support/) - Please find more here on academic support at Ballard School. - [Why Ballard?](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/why-ballard/) - "Simply the best school every day." Parent (Reception)A multi-award winning school, set in a glorious 34 acre site on the Hampshire Dorset border. - [About Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/) - "Simply the best school everyday.”(Parent)We pride ourselves on our forward-thinking curriculum, providing an aspirational, academic and holistic education. - [Lower Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/lower-prep/) - Life at Ballard Lower Prep is engaging, inspiring, exciting, and fun! - [Our Curriculum](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/) - Excellence Underpinned by Our Values At Ballard School, our curriculum does more than simply educate - it empowers. - [Music](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/music/) - “To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan and not quite enough time.” - [Productions @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/productions-ballard/) - [School Facilities](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/school-facilities/) - Ballard School is proud to offer an outstanding learning environment, set within a stunning 36-acre site. - [Vision, Aims & Ethos](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/vision-aims-ethos/) - Ballard School provides a supportive and caring environment for learning, based on Christian values and excellent teaching. - [Our History](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/our-history/) - Our main schoolhouse was built over 100 years ago by an American family called Ubsdell. - [](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/6195-2/) - [Future Destinations for Ballard Pupils](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/future-destinations-for-ballard-pupils/) - At Ballard, we are immensely proud of the diverse and impressive destinations our pupils move on to after their time with us. Each year, our leavers progress to a wide range of outstanding independent and state schools - reflecting the breadth of aspiration, talent, and individuality within our community. Our pupils routinely gain places and - [Year 3 @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/lower-prep/year-3-ballard/) - A Remarkable School Journey. Entry into Year 3 at Ballard marks the start of a pupil’s journey into Lower Prep. - [Business Studies](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/business-studies/) - Business Studies at Ballard looks at the whole picture – everything in life involves business. - [Upper Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/upper-prep/) - Upper Prep marks the transition from a mainly form-based, cross-curricular work to set-based specialist work. - [Eco at Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/eco-at-ballard/) - Ballard achieved the highest award from Eco Schools; the coveted Green Flag, with distinction. - [Nursery and Kindergarten](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/nursery-and-kindergarten/) - Welcome to our ‘outstanding’ Nursery & Kindergarten, with the majority of Kindergarten pupils exceeding the national Reception end-of-year learning goals. - [Aurelia's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/aurelias-story/) - Hello, my name is Aurelia. I joined Ballard in Year 5, and as I look back on my journey here, I can honestly say that this school has shaped who I am today. - [Contact](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/contact/) - For more information, please contact us today. - [Ethan's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/ethans-story/) - Ethan joined Ballard in Year 9. During his time here, he served as Head Boy and took the lead role in Guys and Dolls. He achieved outstanding GCSE results, securing all grades between 9 and 7, including one 9, four 8s and four 7s. Ethan now attends Barton Peveril College, where he is studying A-Level - [SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development)](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/pastoral/smsc/) - SMSC is the acronym for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. - [History](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/history/) - “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” - [French](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/french/) - « Avoir une autre langue, c’est posséder une deuxième âme »To have a second language is to have a second soulCharlemagne. - [Humanities @ Ballard](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/) - At Ballard School, the Humanities form a vital part of our curriculum, helping pupils understand the world around them and their place within it. - [Governors](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/governors/) - List of Governors and their relevant committees/responsibilities: Mrs Anne Watson-Lee (Co Chair of Board, Chair of F & GP, Ed Co) - [Transport](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/transport/) - Please Contact our Transport Manager to discuss transport options for your child. We offer a bespoke transport service for our pupils. - [Cookie Policy](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/cookie-policy/) - Cookie Policy - [Privacy Policy](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy - [Orla's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/orlas-story/) - ‘A supportive and caring environment for learning, putting children first. Generous levels of staffing… rigorous monitoring of academic standards… - [Ella's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/ellas-story/) - An intellectually stimulating school journey. Ella joined Ballard in Year 4, becoming an academic scholar in Year 7. - [ICT & Computing](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/ict-computing/) - ICT and Computer Science at Ballard School are both about problem-solving, thinking skills and developing ways of thinking that can be used. - [Design & Technology](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/stem-ballard/design-technology/) - Inspiring Innovation. Empowering Problem-Solvers. At Ballard School, Design & Technology (DT) is more than just a subject. - [Spanish](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/humanities-ballard/spanish/) - 'Un idioma distinto es una vision diferente de la vida’Federico Fellini. - [Drama](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/our-curriculum/arts-ballard/drama/) - Drama is more than performance - it's a powerful tool for developing: Confidence and self-expression. - [Calendar](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/calendar/) - Please find our latest calendar here. - [Information](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/information/) - Welcome to our General Information section. Please use the navigation menu on the right to explore key details about our school. - [The School Day](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/the-school-day/) - Our school day is filled with busy, happy children. - [Hamish and Olivia's Year 7 Stories](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/hamish-and-olivias-year-7-stories/) - OUR EXPERIENCE OF JOINING BALLARD IN YEAR 7. Olivia: I joined Ballard in Year 7 and really loved the huge number of opportunities available to me. - [Fearn and Hugh's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/fearn-and-hughs-story/) - “We have had incredibly positive experiences with Ballard School, where both of our children, Fearn (Year 2) and Hugh (KG), have truly thrived. - [Dulcia's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/dulcias-story/) - Hi, I’m Dulcia, and I’ve been at Ballard since Year 3. I can honestly say that this school has shaped so much of who I am today. - [Sport Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/sport-gallery/) - Please find our sport gallery here. - [Senior Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/senior-gallery/) - Please click here for our senior gallery. - [Pre-Prep Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/pre-prep-gallery/) - Please click here for our pre-prep gallery. - [Lower Prep Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/lower-prep-gallery/) - Please find more on our lower prep gallery here. - [Forest School Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/forest-school-gallery/) - Please click here for more on our forest school gallery. - [Photo & Video Gallery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/photo-video-gallery/) - We like to keep a pictorial record of our pupils’ work, achievements and life at school. Please find a selection of these and some video footage below. - [Proactive Pastoral Care](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/pastoral/proactive-pastoral-care/) - Proactive Pastoral Care (PPC) is at the heart of our pastoral culture to nurture our school’s wellbeing culture. - [Ballard STEM](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/ballard-stem/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc ut pulvinar nisi, et convallis mi. Ut elementum lectus in iaculis egestas. - [Alumni](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/alumni/) - Please find more here on our alumni. - [Sample Page](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/sample-page/) - H1 Heading H2 Heading H3 Heading Download Link Download Link Download Link - [Amy's Story](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/about-ballard/stories-testimonials/amys-story/) - Amy, Head Girl 2019 – 2020 “There’s so many things I love about Ballard, especially their family ethos. There’s no hierarchy; friendships are made across year-groups; everyone’s included. Opportunities to mentor younger pupils create bonds, trust and support for the mentee. At Ballard, teachers tailor their lessons to the pupils; it’s not one-size-fits-all (bespoke education). They - [Ballard STEM](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/ballard-stem/) - Ballard pupils are brought up with a love of STEM from a very early age with a huge array of equipment and opportunities for our Early Year’s pupils to build and create. As a through-School, our pupils benefit from specialist GCSE teachers and equipment and are often mentored by older pupils. The STEM ethos at ## Categories - [Uncategorised](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/uncategorised/) - [School](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/school/) - [STEM](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/stem/) - [Alumni](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/alumni/) - [Arts](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/arts/) - [Senior](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/senior/) - [Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/prep/) - [Life](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/life/) - [Sport](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/sport/) - [Upper Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/upper-prep/) - [Pre-Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/pre-prep/) - [Lower Prep](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/lower-prep/) - [Nursery](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/nursery/) - [Stories](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/stories/) - [Weekly Bulletin](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/weekly-bulletin/) - [Podcast](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/category/pocast/) - Welcome to The Ballard Blast Podcast. ## Tags - [Awards](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/tag/awards/) - [Ballard 30](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/tag/ballard-30/) - [Life](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/tag/life/) - [News](https://www.ballardschool.co.uk/tag/news/)