Ballard School
School summary
Spanning the years from early childhood to GCSE, Ballard School has educated pupils in New Milton since 1914 and remains a small, all-through independent with around 440 on roll. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it its top grade of "excellent" for both education and personal development, with compliance requirements met. A Protestant and Evangelical foundation, it is a day school suited to families seeking a close-knit setting where children can progress through several stages without changing campus.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
50%
National average 23%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 29 April 2025
Teaching & academics
Results stand well above the national picture: half of GCSE entries reach grades 9 to 7, compared with a national average of 23 per cent. That suggests an academically capable cohort, supported by academic scholarships and the option of means-tested bursaries. Notably, almost two in five pupils receive SEN support, indicating that the school takes a broad approach to learning needs rather than focusing solely on top grades.
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Headmaster · Mr Andrew McCleave
Beyond the classroom
Sport features prominently, with football, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and netball all on offer. The GCSE curriculum leans towards practical and creative subjects including design and technology, food preparation and nutrition, drama and dance, alongside business studies and computer science.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1914
- Religious character
- Protestant/Evangelical
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 39.16%
- EHC plans
- 0.63%
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.
Fees & bursaries
- 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.
Schools nearby
Durlston Court School
New Milton, South East
Hill House School
Lymington, South East
Southlands School
Lymington, South East
Connie Rothman School
Christchurch, South West
Walhampton School
Lymington, South East
The Stable School
South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small Hampshire all-through school where strong GCSE outcomes sit alongside genuine support for differing needs, and where Yondr pouches keep phones firmly out of the school day.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Ballard School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.