Ballard Private School
Description of Ballard Private School
- Age of students: 2-16 years
- Location: Hampshire-Dorset, United Kingdom
- Type of institution: private school
- Language of instruction: English
- Type: mixed.
Ballard is a thriving and welcoming independent day school of co-education for children from 2 to 16 years old. Located on 34 acres between the New Forest and solent on the border of Hampshire and Dorset, the school received "Excellent" grades in all ISI inspection categories – the highest award any school can receive.
The institution prides itself on its visionary curriculum, providing an ambitious, academic and holistic education. Staff inspire and guide their students by challenging and supporting them equally. The school's commitment to providing a first-class education with a close focus on the future shapes ambitious investment and development plans.
Special pastoral care at school is based on kindness and respect and is based on Christian values. An inclusive approach to school life values individuality and fosters generosity of spirit, educates the child as a whole, offering a wide range of sports, cultural, artistic and academic clubs and activities.
Ballard is a local school with an international outlook. She is very closely associated with the local community, and the British Council recognized her for her international approach to education (the institution received an international school award and became part of the Erasmus + program). Ballard School is constantly developing relationships with foreign schools – there is an Italian partner school, with which it works under the Erasmus program, schools in Spain and France, where popular exchange programs are held.
There are amazing opportunities for international trips for students, from skiing in the Alps (for both juniors and adults) to Broadway workshops, from visiting historic battle sites to learning art in Venice, from helping local communities in Kenya to singing at Montserrat Abbey.
Educational process
Ballard School believes that happy children do well in the classroom, so local academic and pastoral teams work closely together to provide support and challenge equally. Higher-level thinking skills are clearly outlined in the curriculum, allowing students to transfer and apply the knowledge gained in a variety of contexts.
In addition to celebrating success, the school pays special attention to encouraging and recognizing the approach and efforts of students. Teachers are constantly checking, tracking, and monitoring progress to make sure each student is doing their best. It helps children become active and independent, thoughtful and resilient to stress, and interested and interesting future leaders.
Things to know about
Pastoral care is a special mentoring system that unites older students with younger ones in all areas of school life. For example, the senior sports elite often help at clubs and matches; a high school student and musicologist helps lead the Upper Prep harp ensemble; and elementary school students assist primary school students with reading.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Ballard Private School
Preparatory school (kindergarten)
- Age: from 2 to 5 years.
The kindergarten and preparatory area are independent of the rest of the school, allowing students to play freely while feeling safe. However, they like to explore the territory and premises of the school, and the pupils of the kindergarten really like classes in the Forest School.
There is a huge selection of gaming equipment for home and street. Traditional toys are complemented by computers/iPads and modern educational toys, giving students the variety they crave, the opportunity to work alone or together.
Incentive support from specialized physical education and dance teachers helps the youngest students develop motor and motor skills. They also have access to special equipment, a dance studio, a gym and other facilities.
PRE-PREP (Introductory Academic Year)
- Age: from 5 to 7 years.
Elementary school students regularly help and support Pre-Prep. Pupils have access to specialized teachers, equipment and facilities for dance, music, physical education and, starting from the 1st grade, french. Learning from professionals at such a young age is a key advantage of coming to Ballard, with students consistently exceeding national expectations for their physical development.
In addition to the school curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities are offered: an art club, gymnastics, multisport, horse riding, rugby and much more.
Grade school
- Age: from 7 to 11 years.
With a small class size and a caring family atmosphere, the separate spaces ensure natural progression after Pre-Prep. The development of interdependence and responsibility is key in preparing for the next stage of preparation.
Teachers strive to develop students' thinking skills by encouraging independent learning and high academic standards in a caring environment. Students feel safe and excited to reach for new areas of discovery and learning.
Class teachers conduct thematic interdisciplinary lessons that are effectively combined with access to specialist teachers in all subjects of art, DT, ICT, French, science and sports.
Ballard's extensive capabilities and resources are being leveraged, including the Advanced Learning Department (DEL), for those who require additional support to reach their full potential. The area is also used for nature walks, the Forest School and many outdoor activities.
All students in this age group are offered a huge number of extracurricular activities to develop their passion for learning.
Middle class
- Age: from 11 to 16 years.
Upper Prep marks the transition from cross-learning work based primarily on forms to specialized task-based work. Department heads lead subjects with a clear path to the GCSE, focusing on pleasure and the transfer of necessary skills and knowledge, encouraging connections between subjects, identifying transferable skills.
There are special mentors for 6th graders to facilitate the transition between primary and secondary education. Tutors stay with their groups throughout grades 7 and 8, providing pastoral and academic support to students. The stage is used for discussion, reading and mindfulness, to build positive relationships with employees and colleagues, helps to develop social skills and awareness.
During the summer semester, 6th graders sit in the Ballard Speaking Board (BSB), which provides an increase in their leadership qualities and self-confidence. Many students become wardens and house captains in the 8th grade as mentors to elementary school students.
School days are held at a fast pace and are rich in learning experience, as well as many extracurricular opportunities.
Senior Classes
- Age: from 16 to 18 years.
The high school has its own mini-campus, and the main purpose of this study period is to help prepare versatile and highly qualified young students who are ready to move to the university of their first choice for higher education.
A wide range of GCSE subjects is offered, and the school has consistently enviable results. GCSE subjects are offered during school hours and as extracurricular revision activities.
While Ballard still offers a comprehensive educational experience, the pace and intensity of academic rigor increases in high school. Purposeful learning, underpinned by reasonable discipline and pastoral care, creates a foundation that allows students to thrive.
Small classes and individual attention are still the cornerstone of learning at Ballard. Tutors remain consistent, providing stability and strengthening connections with each student during this critical time.
Morrisby testing, 9th grade trial week, alternating interviews, financial planning, and PSHE life skills classes are just some of the things Ballard provides to its students to help them become competent, well-rounded.
There are extensive extracurricular opportunities and travel across all areas of the curriculum and beyond. These include the Duke of Edinburgh Prize, foreign exchanges, a trip to Kenya, a sports ball, community projects, a trip to New York, concerts, skiing and the end of the graduation 11th grade.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Ballard is a school of healthy eating that has received a number of awards for its approach to nutrition not only in lunch, but also in daily snacks and tea. Following Veganuary's success, the establishment launched a new vegan menu offering delicious vegan meals every day – sweet potato curries, pumpkin with nuts and casserole of sun-dried tomatoes, vegan homemade pie or enchiladas, complemented by a selection of delicious desserts, including vegan crumbs and cakes with vegan ice cream. Local chef Richard Whiting and his staff are very proud of their cuisine – they serve the most delicious dishes with the lowest sugar, salt and fat content, and also take care to feed each student in the right amount.
Activities Ballard Private School
Ballard School is committed to providing a holistic and wide variety of activities to broaden students' horizons – whether it's extracurricular clubs, workshops, lectures, trips or holiday camps, opportunities are there for everyone.
Travel is an important part of school life, with all annual groups making extracurricular trips throughout the year. There are ski, artistic, musical and sports trips, family trips to distant shores and the always popular Y11 New York tour.
An advantage for teachers is the ability to teach outdoors using an open classroom and a vast area: this allows teachers to give students a break from classes, warm up and learn outdoors.
The extensive programme of extracurricular activities includes over 120 weekly activities (extracurricular) in addition to trips, visits and workshops.
Excellent pastoral care allows pupils to feel safe. Students accept challenges, demonstrate resilience, and really make the most of Ballard Life.
Ballard Sport provides positive and inclusive award-winning sports facilities with dedicated PHYSICAL education teachers teaching all pupils from kindergarten and above in outstanding settings, including the Olympic Astro. Ballard Sport employs six full-time employees who have extensive experience teaching not only traditional school sports, but also new and exciting sports that are very popular: volleyball, women's football and cricket, badminton, handball and basketball.
Boys and girls focus on six sports a year – football, rugby, basketball, hockey, cricket and athletics. Girls go to hockey, rugby, football, netball, cricket and athletics.
The school has strong links with local sports clubs, which allows it to provide additional opportunities and support to those students who want to become local, national and possibly international players. Club connections across all sports encourage students to develop their passions in local or regional clubs. The community access program is aimed at connecting with clubs such as Lymington Netball, New Forest Volleyball, New Milton Cricket.
Advantages
- Ballard does offer plenty of opportunities for each child, individualized, well-rounded education in a cohesive family-school environment. Many alumni describe Ballard School as the best years of their lives.
- Students attend an average of 27 clubs every day, most of which are included in the tuition fee. Ballard School offers a huge number of interesting opportunities for every child both in and out of the classroom.
- Ballard School prides itself on the balance between academic rigor and caring pastoral care – an approach that has spawned countless success stories.
- Ballard School has received numerous awards in all areas of the school, including STEM, arts, sports and ecology. There are many students who have achieved incredible success outside the school - they won a regional poetry competition for older children, represented their country in their favorite sport, performed one of the main roles in plays and musicals, became one of the youngest people who graduated with honors from the Royal School of Music and trinity College of Music.
- Ballard is a local day school with excellent transport links. She has received an international school award from the British Council for an international look at a range of overseas exchanges, travel and international charitable activities.
- The institution was also awarded an eco-school with a green flag, a gold Artsmark and a gold sports school, entered the final of the independent school of performing arts in 2022.
Facilities and equipment at Ballard Private School
Ballard School is very well equipped with the latest technology: there is a wide range of CAD/CAM equipment, seven 3D printers, two laser cutters and a vinyl cutter.
Enrolment process
Ballard School accepts students from 2 to 16 years old (from kindergarten to grade 11). The main points of admission are primary classes, grades 3 and 7 (with an admission day for the 7th and sometimes 3rd grades). Those entering grades 10 and 11 will only be admitted in exceptional circumstances.
Ballard School accepts students on the basis of best fit: this is based on the local ability to establish whether the child has positive character traits and whether he will:
- Demonstrate an enthusiastic approach to school life,
- Make the most of the opportunities provided to them,
- Will be kind and tolerant,
- Embrace the values of Ballard School.
Students in grades 10-11 study 10 GCSE subjects, although some of them study fewer subjects. It is worth noting that Ballard School does not offer any level of qualification below the GCSE, it is expected that students will be able to access the full curriculum on their own, without support in the 1v1 class, unless there is an EHCP.
The technique is based on a variety of factors, which should include the following:
- Completion of the registration form, which includes a copy of the child's birth certificate, passport (if necessary), the latest school report and payment of the registration fee.
- Filling out a signed application that informs the school of all known special educational needs of the student. The school has a Disability Policy, which takes into account the latest legislation regarding reasonable adjustments.
- Informal meeting between the director and the child: online or in person
- Admission to the reception in the 3rd and 7th grades.
The admission process may also include the following:
- School attendance by parents/guardians and possibly prospective students, including a meeting with the principal.
- The analysis of the essay and a number of age-appropriate mathematical problems conducted by the teaching staff. Students may also be asked to take an online CAT4 (Test of Cognitive Ability) assessment.
- Parents' consent to their child's attendance at individual support lessons conducted by specialist teachers.
- The school can contact the hospital that the prospective student is visiting and visit it.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
- Passport/birth certificate,
- Russian passport (photocopy),
- Proof of English proficiency,
- Completed form,
- Confirmation of payment of the registration fee,
- Certificate of grades from the native school,
- Portfolio of achievements.
All documents must be translated into English and notarized.
Scholarships Ballard Private School
Ballard offers scholarships for grades 3, 7 and 9 students for outstanding students.
All students wishing to receive a scholarship must fill out an Expression of Interest form and will be required to demonstrate strengths in their chosen specialization.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Ballard Private School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
