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“Simply the best school every day.” - Parent

“A warm, friendly school in a glorious setting, where pupils enjoy their learning, throw themselves into a plethora of activities and have fun. The performing arts are outstanding and children seem genuinely sad to leave for pastures new at 16.” Good Schools Guide

Ballard is a thriving and welcoming co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 16. A multi-award-winning school, set in 34 acres between the New Forest and the Solent on the Hampshire / Dorset border. Our holistic approach to education has proved very successful, not just for our school but more importantly our pupils.

Crowned Co-educational School of the Year in October 2024, Ballard has reached the finals for Sport (2023), Performing Arts (2022), and Student Wellbeing (2021). In 2025, we retained our School Games Mark Gold status, were finalists for the ISA Award for Fine Arts and Design, for the third time in four years, and the MTI Award for Musical Theatre Provision. Our EcoAmbassadors also achieved Eco School’s Green Flag status with Distinction.

We met all the robust inspection standards expected of all independent schools in our recent inspection and we have combined some of their comments, alongside our parent and pupil voice in this Good Schools Guide brochure, which contains their full review, written in their words.

Visit our website or contact our registrar via email – registrar@ballardschool.co.uk or call us on 01425 626900.

“Parents told us the school is ‘unpretentious and down-to-earth’, a place where children can do well academically but ‘get muddy and have fun.’”

“The performing arts are one of Ballard’s strengths – ‘absolutely stunning,’ said one parent, ‘incredibly good,’ said another.”

“’The teachers are great,’ said a year 11 pupil. ‘If you have a worry there’s always someone to talk to.’”

“The teaching we saw was lively and inspiring.”

“Ballard believes in sport for all and every pupil gets the chance to represent the school.”

“…children were having a whale of a time.”

“Parents we spoke to praised the care taken with transition from section to section.”

“One mother told us: ‘It was the best thing we ever did sending our son to Ballard. We didn’t want boarding or Saturday morning school, and he is so happy here.’ Another said: ‘It’s a very caring school. My son really likes the positivity of the teachers. He’s come on leaps and bounds since he started.’”

“The children were so engrossed that they didn’t notice us tiptoe in.”

Situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park, the main school building was built by the Ubsdell family in 1905 and retains many period features, including magnificent fireplaces in every room. The Ubsdells moved out in 1914 and Great Ballard School moved in, remaining in situ until the start of the Second World War. After the war, Edinburgh House School took up residence, later merging with two other schools. In 1995 Fernhill Manor School also merged and the combined school became Ballard School.

Today’s Ballard is a mix of old and new. We particularly admired the chapel, a calm space with shields dating back to the Edinburgh House days. One was gifted by the US Embassy in 1963 after the school sent a letter of condolence following the assassination of John F Kennedy. With 34 acres of grounds and sports pitches, Ballard makes the most of its location. There are bee hives, allotments and woodland walks. ‘It’s so good for their wellbeing to get out in the fresh air,’ a teacher told us. ‘We’re close to the forest and close to the beach so we’ve got everything on our doorstep. The children can climb trees and play in the adventure playground too.’

Ballard is based on Christian values and there are regular assemblies. The school plays its part in the community, inviting local care homes to concerts and donating to the food bank in Lymington (at harvest festival children brought in enough food to fill four minibuses). At Remembrance Day every pupil put a message on a poppy to display on the main staircase. Pupils like their uniform – smart navy blazers with crimson trim (yellow trim for head boy and girl and deputy head boy and girl). Year 11s have their own common room in a wood cabin, complete with bean bags and a pool table. They’re responsible for keeping it tidy themselves –if they don’t, they forego its use for a few days.

Pupils take up to 10 GCSEs – all the usual subjects, plus options like business studies, computer science, design and technology, food preparation and nutrition, drama and dance. Setting for maths, science and English, with some taking three separate sciences at GCSE and others doing combined science. Spanish and French are available, with French taught from Year 1. In 2025, 49.2 per cent 9-7 at GCSE, more than double the national average.

The teaching we saw was lively and inspiring. A year 9 history class was discussing ‘what was wrong with women’s rights before 1900’ while a year 11 DT group was busy making coffee tables, speakers, lights and bird-boxes. Classrooms are well-equipped; interactive displays everywhere and an astonishing seven 3D printers in the DT department. Laptop leasing scheme for pupils in years 6, 7 and 8, with parents paying a termly fee. The head says children ‘aren’t overburdened’ with homework although the load increases during the GCSE years. Small class sizes (up to 16 in most year groups).

There is a big drive on literacy, with children encouraged to read for pleasure. Three libraries jointly staffed by two librarians, one of them a published author. A 30-minute ‘drop everything and read’ session is held in tutor-time every week, where pupils read a book of their own choice. Lower prep pupils read to a member of staff every day.

The pre-prep is housed in its own building, with light, airy classrooms and loads of outdoor space. Nearly 40 children in the nursery and kindergarten and a similar number in reception, year 1 and year 2. We visited during the COP26 climate change summit and were impressed to find intrepid year 1 teachers linking it to a topic on animals. ‘We’re keeping it very simple,’ they said.

Around 20 per cent of pupils get learning support from the DEL team (Department of Enhanced Learning) – everything from ‘in-class adjustment’ strategies like using coloured paper or sitting at the front of class to one-to-one support. Dyslexic children are very well supported.

Year 1 to 11 pupils have a PSHE lesson every week, learning about relationships, health and living in the wider world. Pastoral care is a top priority – ‘we want them to feel safe and supported and happy,’ says the head. The school is divided into sections – pre-prep (nursery to year 2), lower prep (year 3 to 5), upper prep (year 6 to 8) and senior (year 9 to 11) – with a head of each section leading a team of form tutors. Parents we spoke to praised the care taken with transition from section to section. The school nurses are on hand and a counsellor visits once a week. If children want time out, there’s a wellbeing zone where they can sit and relax. ‘The teachers are great,’ said a Year 11 pupil. ‘If you have a worry there’s always someone to talk to.’

One advantage of not having a sixth form is that younger pupils take leadership roles. There’s a head girl and head boy, plus two deputies, and two tranches of prefects – year 8s and year 11s, all proudly sporting a colourful array of badges on their blazers. Four houses, named after different areas of the New Forest, with lots of inter-house competitions and fundraising for charity. The school is mobile phone free, with pupils using the Yondr pouch scheme, allowing older pupils to use their devices whilst travelling to and from school whilst ensuring that phones are not used during the school day.

The performing arts are one of Ballard’s strengths – ‘absolutely stunning,’ said one parent, ‘incredibly good,’ said another. The school involves as many children as possible in its annual productions, whether they are performing on stage, playing in the band, making props or taking charge of sound and lighting. When we visited, 140 children were gearing up for a performance of Matilda in the school’s performing arts centre. A mother said that her shy daughter’s confidence had ‘shot up’ when she was encouraged to audition for a part and promptly got it. Some leavers continue their passion for the performing arts – a pupil recently progressed to the Guildford School of Acting while a former first XV Rugby prop forward achieved his master’s in musical theatre. Children have also sung with Gareth Malone at the Royal Albert Hall.

Nearly 40 per cent take individual instrumental or speech and drama lessons. In year 7 there’s a subsidised instrumental starter scheme, enabling children to choose the instrument they’d like to play (the school pays half the cost). Numerous chances to perform in choirs, bands and orchestras, including a carol service at Christchurch Priory and a classical concert at Beaulieu Abbey. Music is part of the curriculum. We watched the dynamic director of music and creative technology help a group of rapt year 9s analyse the theme tune from Dr No, the first James Bond movie, prior to composing their own film scores. The children were so engrossed that they didn’t notice us tiptoe in.

The school runs over 150 extracurricular activities a week – everything from climate change club and beekeeping to raising GCSE attainment sessions and scholars’ clubs. Most take place between 4.15pm and 5pm but some are at lunchtime and morning break. DofE is popular – bronze in year 9 and silver in years 10 and 11.

Pre-prep and lower prep pupils have Forest School every fortnight. When we visited, lower prep children were having a whale of a time tying knots, moulding clay into mugs and cooking popcorn over a campfire.

Ballard believes in sport for all and every pupil gets the chance to represent the school (A to D teams in some years). Main sports for boys are football, rugby, hockey, cricket and athletics while girls play hockey, tag rugby, football, netball, cricket and athletics. There’s also a programme for less sporty year 10 and 11 pupils, offering kayaking, basketball and mountainbiking (including bike-repair sessions). Swimming in the school’s outdoor pool during the summer term. Girls’ football is growing. The school is part of the FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships programme, a nationwide scheme that encourages more girls to play football in school and beyond.

Some pupils are very local, others travel from Poole, Ringwood, Lymington and Sway, often using the school’s fleet of minibuses (‘we do a door-to-door service,’ says the head). New Milton railway station is a six-minute walk so a sizeable number commute by train. Particular praise for the member of staff who manages transport. ‘The trains weren’t running one day and she managed to lay on extra minibuses for everyone affected,’ said one parent.

Equal numbers of boys and girls. The children we met were keen to share their views on everything from the food (a firm thumbs-up) to their wish for an indoor swimming pool. Parents told us the school is ‘unpretentious and down-to-earth’, a place where children can do well academically but ‘get muddy and have fun’. One mother told us: ‘It was the best thing we ever did sending our son to Ballard. We didn’t want boarding or Saturday morning school and he is so happy here.’ Another said: ‘It’s a very caring school. My son really likes the positivity of the teachers. He’s come on leaps and bounds since he started.’

Main entry points are reception, year 3 and year 7 but children join in other years too. Ballard isn’t highly selective but prides itself on its value-added scores (latest average value-added is 0.9 of a grade at GCSE). The head says the school is looking for children with lively minds who ‘will take advantage of the opportunities and throw themselves into school life’. Most prep pupils stay on for the senior school. Scholarships (maximum of 10 per cent discount) offered for ‘exceptional’ pupils, joining from Year 7. Some means-tested bursaries available to help parents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to fund the fees.

At 16 pupils head off in all directions, including Brockenhurst College, Peter Symonds College in Winchester, St Peter’s Catholic School in Bournemouth, Highcliffe School and local grammar schools. Three or four a year go to Canford or Bryanston and the occasional one or two to board at King’s Bruton or Millfield. The school gives parents ‘a lot of guidance’ on sixth-form choices. A warm, friendly school in a glorious setting, where pupils enjoy their learning, throw themselves into a plethora of activities and have fun. The performing arts are outstanding and children seem genuinely sad to leave for pastures new at 16.

"Pupils engage enthusiastically with the resources and tasks provided, to the benefit of their learning.”

“The broad curriculum is designed effectively to develop pupils’ skills, knowledge and understanding in literacy, numeracy, creativity and a broad range of other areas.”

“Carefully planned lessons ensure children in the early years are motivated and engaged with learning and show independence and initiative in their learning.”

“Speaking and listening skills are further developed via drama lessons as part of the core curriculum.”

"Language development is encouraged through a recently introduced systematic scheme of work which relates letters to the sounds they make. Clear teaching utilising this scheme ensures that pupils make good progress in sentence construction and reading.”

"Pupils with higher prior attainment are given sufficiently sophisticated spellings to challenge them.”

"Teachers engage pupils with tasks that develop their ability to learn and think for themselves. Pupils work well in groups in and out of class, preparing them for life outside of school.”

"High levels of achievement and progression in writing skills are clearly visible in pupils’ books, as is their ability to analyse and synthesise ideas and information.”

“Teachers consistently establish a classroom environment conducive to learning.”

"The positive relationships between pupils, fostered by leaders and staff, facilitate collaborative learning between pupils. Teaching is ambitious and ensures that pupils typically make good progress.”

“Pupils make good progress from their starting points at all stages to GCSE.”

“Pupils who have SEND make good progress.”

"The school provides an enriching and inclusive co-curricular programme that supports pupils’ all-round development beyond the classroom. Provision is broad, offering a diverse range of activities across creative, academic, sporting and practical disciplines. Consequently, pupils develop their confidence and a broad set of transferable skills, including communication and working together.”

“The school develops pupils’ spiritual awareness effectively. Outdoor learning activities are designed to enable younger pupils to develop a sense of their relationship to nature.”

"Leaders’ and staff’s relationships with pupils are warm and supportive, supporting them to feel secure and valued. The approachability of staff, including senior leaders, encourages pupils to feel comfortable speaking to them about any concerns or worries that they might have.”

“The school provides a range of opportunities for pupils to develop as leaders. Such experiences allow pupils to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.”

“Staff nurture pupils’ self-confidence and resilience from an early age.”

“The physical education (PE) and sports provision is designed to challenge and support pupils with a wide range of abilities. Pupils demonstrate high levels of skill, teamwork and enthusiasm.”

"The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum is thorough and well planned.”

"The comprehensive relationships and sex education (RSE) programme is well structured and effectively delivered in age-appropriate ways.”

"Pupils behave very well across the school. Leaders promote good behaviour through wellplanned initiatives that focus on the development of friendships. Positive behaviour is expected and encouraged effectively from an early age.”

“The school culture is successful in enabling pupils to build positive relationships with each other.”

“The premises are maintained effectively to provide a suitable physical environment for pupils.”

“The positive relationships generated in class and activities support pupils in respecting the school’s behavioural rules and expectations.”

"The school develops pupils’ economic understanding effectively overall.”

"Leadership fosters an inclusive ethos by prioritising mutual respect and ensuring that pupils develop their understanding of the importance of respecting peoples’ protected characteristics.”

“Events are held to celebrate diversity and to tackle prejudice.” “Pupils value diversity, speak confidently about inclusion and demonstrate respect for others’ identities and beliefs.”

“Leadership ensures that the promotion of British values is central to the school’s ethos.”

"The careers education programme provides pupils of secondary age with timely, impartial careers advice which meets individuals’ interests and needs.”

“Teaching effectively supports pupils’ awareness of human and social issues across subjects such as PSHE, geography and history. Consequently, pupils develop their understanding of the differing social issues faced by young people across the UK and reflect thoughtfully on these.”

"Pupils develop a sense of personal accountability and an embedded understanding of the importance of considering the consequences of their choices and actions.”

“Both our children are blossoming at Ballard, we see their confidence and happiness soaring as they become more settled. So, thank you, to you and everyone at Ballard. We are grateful they can attend such a wonderful school with such caring kind families and teachers.”

“I can’t tell you how much his reading has improved already – he’s reading every evening to me now, and it’s just a delight that he wants to do it, rather than me telling him he has to do it. Ballard’s support for him this term has just been outstanding, I can’t thank you all enough."

“I can’t explain how much we are loving Ballard. It is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. We are so grateful and so blessed to provide him with this, it’s such a huge opportunity and his younger sister is itching to start the school!”

“It goes without saying how happy both of our children are at Ballard and we love the nurturing and building up of their character that is given.”

“It was so nice reading his report and finally feeling that it was written by people who know him!

“Thank you for helping our son to find his courage, confidence and ability to shine! We can't thank you enough for the support and time you have given him. Moving him to Ballard has been the making of him, we are so happy.”

“Thank you for tapping into our son's potential and running with it! We are so very thankful for you helping him to believe in himself and all he can achieve. We are very proud of how much he has grown in Year 2 with your support. It certainly says a lot when your child starts a new school chapter in a new country with a smile on his face each day.”

“We decided on Ballard School ahead of several others locally and we have never looked back. It was our choice to send our children to Ballard, but it is our children’s feedback that keeps them there, day after day. They love it.”

“You have given both our boys the best start to their school career that we could wish for. They are both always excited to come to school every day and love learning.”

“We absolutely loved Ballard – what is there not to love? It has a wonderful feeling as you walk around and we both felt very comfortable and know both our girls would fit in well and more importantly, feel safe and happy.”

“She is absolutely loving school – so much so, that she complained that it was a weekend day today not a school day! We are really delighted that she is so happy. Thank you to all the staff.”

“I wanted to let you know how thankful and grateful we are that we found Ballard School. He has never been happier at school....he's even enjoying PE which has never happened! It was a big decision for us, coming from the state sector, and a big investment but we are sure it was the right choice.”

“We gave you a shy under confident boy and you have given us back a delightful confident young man. He has blossomed during his time at Ballard and every teacher / helper has gone the extra mile to help and encourage him to achieve his best and try and hardest. We are so delighted that we found Ballard for our children, what an excellent school you have.”

Really appreciate the sense of partnership in developing our children, encouraging them to maximise their potential together and prepare them for independence!”

“He comes home and talks about everything he has done, he is really thriving… He is absolutely relishing it.”

I know it has only been a few weeks, but we are seeing such a difference in him already. He is willing to go to school every morning and has told us he is much happier now. Hoping to move his younger brother as soon as possible.”

“Quite simply, a remarkable school”

“You can’t go unnoticed in Ballard. The massive benefit is that you are not just a number, and the teachers get to know you.”

“I love how nice my teachers are and the food is amazing. I am really grateful that we have the best people that teach us.”

“I absolutely love it here! One of the best things about Ballard is how inclusive it is. I've made a great group of friends and there's always something exciting happening. You can represent the school at sporting events or participate in musical theatre. Whether you want to perform or work behind the scenes, there's a place for everyone.”

“The variety of after-school clubs is amazing, with opportunities to try activities you wouldn't normally do… There's so much to do!”

“I really appreciate that all students have the chance to showcase their talents and try new things. Ballard truly encourages us to explore our interests and develop new skills. I'm so proud to be a part of this fantastic family!”

“Ballard School is a place where you can practice, learn, and improve. I can always talk to my teachers if something is wrong. They care about pupils' feelings."

“When I joined, I realised that Ballard wasn't just any ordinary school – it’ was a place where people saw who you could be, even when you couldn't quite see it yourself. Ballard gave me the confidence not just to survive new experiences, but to thrive in them and to grow into the best version of myself along the way.

Ballard is a school that looks outwards – we are not just about grades, performance or trophies, but instead we are about kindness, service, community. And doing what is right.”

To find out more about our wonderful, award-winning school, please visit our website: Ballardschool.co.uk

We would be delighted to welcome you to Ballard for a private visit or to one of our Open Mornings, where you may meet key staff and take a tailored tour with some of our pupils. Please contact our Registrar, on 01425 626900 or by emailing: registrar@ballardschool.co.uk