MixedIndependent

Ballard School

New Milton, Hampshire, South East · BH25 5SU

Spanning the years from nursery at age one through to GCSE, Ballard School offers families in New Milton a continuous independent education under one roof. Founded in 1914, this small Protestant/Evangelical school of around 440 pupils earned an "excellent" rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, including for pupils' personal development. A notably high proportion of pupils receive SEN support - close to two in five - suggesting a school accustomed to teaching to a range of needs. Its distinctive screen-free approach, with Yondr pouches locking away phones across the school day, sets it apart for parents who want a focused environment.

440

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£19,921

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 1-16
Pupils: 440
Location: New Milton, Hampshire, South East
Website: www.ballardschool.co.uk
Telephone: 01425 626900

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Headmaster Mr Andrew McCleave

Latest results

Attainment 8

32.2

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

50%

Teaching & academics

At GCSE, half of pupils achieve grades 9-7, indicating real strength at the top end. However, the school's Attainment 8 score of 32.2 sits well below the national average of 46.9, and the headline measure of grade 5+ in English and Maths is reported at 0% against a national average of 47% - figures parents will want to discuss directly with the school. Academic scholarships are offered, and popular GCSE choices range from business studies and computer science to drama and dance, with Spanish as the modern language.

Sixth form

Qualifications offered

GCSE

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 39.16%
EHC plans: 0.63%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

Academic

Languages

Spanish

Popular GCSE subjects

Business studiesComputer scienceDesign and technologyFood preparation and nutritionDramaDance

Sport

Main sports

FootballRugbyHockeyCricketAthleticsNetball

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a clear feature of school life, with football, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and netball all on offer. Creative subjects such as drama and dance feature among popular GCSE choices, pointing to outlets beyond the sports field.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1914
Religious character: Protestant/Evangelical
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

At Ballard we do not allow pupils to use their mobile phones on site. Ballard has 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.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £10,422 - £19,921

Some means-tested bursaries available to help parents who wouldn't otherwise be able to fund the fees.

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 29 April 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, all-through independent with a strong pastoral reputation and a firm stance on phones. Parents should weigh its excellent personal-development rating against attainment figures that fall short of national averages.

The Passmate verdict