Great Ballard School
Chichester, West Sussex, South East · PO18 0LR
A small independent school just outside Chichester, Great Ballard has educated children since 1924 and today takes pupils from age two right through to sixteen. With around 250 on roll, it offers an intimate setting under Headmaster Matthew King, where the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded an overall "good" rating and judged personal development "excellent". A notably high proportion of pupils, just over 24 per cent, receive SEN support, suggesting a school comfortable working with a range of learning needs. Families weighing entry should look closely at the headline GCSE figures alongside the school's evident strengths in pastoral care and character.
250
Pupils
good
ISI
£22,800
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 2-16
- Pupils
- 250
- Location
- Chichester, West Sussex, South East
- Website
- www.greatballard.co.uk
- Telephone
- 01243 814236
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Headmaster Matthew King
Latest results
Attainment 8
37.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
42%
Teaching & academics
Results sit below national benchmarks: the average Attainment 8 score is 37.3 against a national average of 46.9, and no pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and Maths, where the national average is 47 per cent. That said, 42 per cent of grades fell in the 9-7 range, indicating that stronger candidates can do well here. The sciences feature prominently among popular GCSE choices, alongside Mathematics, History and French, with French the language on offer.
Sixth form
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 24.38%
- EHC plans
- 2.48%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Beyond the classroom
The Brian Jay award recognises all-rounders, signalling that achievement beyond the classroom is valued and rewarded.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1924
- Boarding
- No
Mobile phone policy
Students may bring mobile phones but must hand them in to form tutors at start of day, returned at end of day
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £11,910 - £22,800
Means tested bursaries available
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 10 May 2023
The last word
A small, nurturing school with excellent personal development and real experience supporting diverse learners. Parents focused on academic attainment should examine the GCSE data carefully before deciding.
The Passmate verdict
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Great Ballard School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Great Ballard School located?
Great Ballard School is located at Eartham, Chichester, PO18 0LR.
What type of school is Great Ballard School?
Great Ballard School is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend Great Ballard School?
Great Ballard School has approximately 250 pupils on roll.
What is Great Ballard School's inspection rating?
Great Ballard School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "good" at its inspection on 10 May 2023.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.