Ages 
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.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 440 ·
- Religion
- Protestant/Evangelical
- Fees
- £10,422 - £19,921 pa
- Local authority
- Hampshire County Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Andrew McCleave
Since 2018, Andrew McCleave, previously deputy head (academic) at City of London Freemen’s School. Educated at King’s College School, Wimbledon and the University of Manchester, where he read geography. After a PGCE and MA at UCL Institute of
Entrance
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
- Open days
- Please see school website for details
Exit
At 16 pupils head off in all directions, Peter Symonds College in Winchester, local grammar schools and notable independents such as Canford, Bryanston, Millfield or Ryde School on the Isle of Wight. The school gives parents ‘a lot of guidance’ on
Latest results
In 2025, 50 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.
Teaching & learning
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
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
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
Arts & extracurricular
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
Sport
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,
Ethos & heritage
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
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
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
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review At Ballard we do not allow pupils to use their mobile phones on site. We understand that parents may want their child to have a phone whilst travelling. However, the positive impact of not having access to their phones on pupils' wellbeing, friendships and focus is too important to ignore. Ballard has therefore invested in Yondr pouches for all pupils in years 6 to 11 and anyone else who has a phone. Pupils lock their phones in these pouches during the school day and only open them, using our special unlocking bases, when they leave our site.
Pupils & parents
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
Money matters
Scholarships (maximum of 10 per cent discount) offered for ‘exceptional’ year 3, 7 and 9 pupils. Some means-tested bursaries available to help parents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to fund the fees.
- Fee information
- £10,422 - £19,921 pa
The last word
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.
