Great Ballard School

• Location: Ertham, West Sussex, England,
• Age of students: from 2 to 16 years old,
• Type of study: mixed,
• Language of instruction: English.

Great Ballard School is an independent co-educational institution catering to children aged 2.5 to 16. The school's educational philosophy centers on the "Four H" approach, emphasizing the holistic development of students:

1. Head: Learning at Great Ballard School places a strong focus on individual progress, intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving skills that will benefit students in the future.

2. Hand: The school employs hands-on learning methods that encourage collaboration, creativity, and effective communication. These approaches help students acquire practical, real-world skills.

3. Heart: Promoting empathy and service, Great Ballard School fosters a sense of belonging and self-esteem in students. This, in turn, inspires them to positively influence others and lead change within their communities.

4. Health: Mental and physical well-being forms the cornerstone of the school's philosophy. A focus on health ensures that students have the necessary foundation for confident learning, active lifestyles, and creative living.

By integrating these four aspects into their educational approach, Great Ballard School seeks to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive education for its students.

Great Ballard offers a traditional English preparatory school environment where children learn outdoors, have a variety of activities and play on the grounds together. Lessons are held in a comfortable environment and in superb classroom facilities.

The first lesson starts at 8:15 a.m., after the obligatory mark of the presence of each student. The duration of one lesson is 40 minutes, the lunch break is 60 minutes. The latest lessons end at 4:30 p.m.

• The main building of Great Ballard was built in 1800, it was rebuilt in 1905, and since 1924 the building has been owned by the school.
• The school curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and includes PSHE, learning skills (Learning2Learn), French and Spanish.
• Starting from the 3rd grade, children have weekly sports lessons and competitions. Each pupil will have an excellent opportunity to represent the school in a variety of sporting events in the region.

Great Ballard does not provide accommodation on the school grounds: children are on the territory from morning to evening, the length of stay depends on age and group. According to the rules, the child must arrive at the school by 8:15 a.m., at the time of registration. The latest time to stay at school is until 17:30.

Great Ballard offers children a varied menu that includes breakfast (at 7:45 am), lunch, snacks and drinks. The menu is always varied and necessarily includes hot dishes, seasonal salads, fruits and vegetables; it is compiled a month in advance and takes into account the child's daily needs for vitamins and minerals.

Great Ballard School is located between the cathedral town of Chichester and the charming market towns of Arundel and Petworth, an area steeped in history and easy access to sandy beaches, fishing villages, historical and family attractions. It is one of the most beautiful places in the South East of England.

All Great Ballard students learn to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, appreciating the impact it has on their well-being. Each age group has its own activities:

• The premises of the Early Childhood Development Center, where the kindergarten is located, overlook a beautiful indoor playground for preschoolers. The kindergarten serves as part of the entire school, with access to the idyllic countryside and woodlands, the school vegetable garden, the school's specially equipped forest area, the cooking room, the concert hall and sports fields. Nursery pupils take part in many annual events, including Christmas and PE Day before graduation.
• Pre-school classes overlook a beautiful courtyard and garden where children play and grow together. There are areas for exciting imagination play, willow domes, climbing frames, sand quarries and a track for cyclists. One-to-one music lessons with experienced teachers are arranged. There is a wide range of after-school activities on offer, ranging from art to gardening and football.
• Preparatory school students can choose from a wide range of opportunities: STEM club, musical theater, programming, visual arts, choir, gardening, swimming. School trips are regularly organised, covering the local region, London and other regions of the country.
• High school students achieve excellence in both team and individual sports. All students have a personal fitness plan that covers mental and physical health and promotes their well-being.

Puff:

• Yoga
• "Wizards' Club"
• Lego Club,
• Wildlife Club,
• Ukulele
• Chorus
• Board games,
• Language club.

Great Ballard is located on 30 acres of South Downs National Park and Moore International Wildlife Refuge (Dark Sky Sanctuary), providing a natural educational environment combined with excellent transportation links throughout the county.

Great Ballard has plenty of free parking spaces, all the amenities suitable for groups of different ages. The historic main building houses spacious classrooms that are equipped with interactive whiteboards and wireless broadband Internet access.

• Forest School,
• Sports and playgrounds,
• Outdoor swimming pool,
• Music Room,
• Dining room
• Vegetable Garden and Garden,
• Computer room,
• Room for creativity,
• Playground for kindergarten.

The academic year at Great Ballard lasts from September to June and is divided into 3 terms: 

• Autumn (September – December),
• Spring (January – March),
• Summer (April – June),
• The summer holidays last for two months – July and August.

Additional Fees:

• Breakfast Club (organized before classes at 7:45 a.m.),
• Afternoon Tea Club (organized at 18:30 pm),
• Preparatory circles for children (available for groups),
• Childcare outside of school hours (available for pre-school groups),
• Individual learning support (diagnostic assessment, tutoring, additional English classes),
• Music lessons, LAMDA,
• Registration fee,
• Entry fee (deposit),
• Uniform.

There are 4 steps you need to take to become a student at Great Ballard:

1. Visit the school. Great Ballard holds regular Open Days for job seekers and their parents, where you can get acquainted with the school's varied daily routine.
2. Sign up. After the introductory visit, you will need to fill out the registration form and pay the registration fee (non-refundable): this confirms the parents' interest in a place for the child in the group of the required year of study. Once the registration form and the associated payment have been received, the application will be processed. Remember: Registration does not guarantee a place in the school.
3. Trial period. The duration and number of trial days will depend on the age of the child and his or her sense of comfort. On such days, the child's abilities and socialization are assessed. Children aged 3-11 will be required to attend two trial days, the first of which will be a routine one conducted with a group of their peers, and the second will allow for some standardised assessments in maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
4. Arrival. The child will be offered a place based on a successful trial day and/or grades, recommendations, and a copy of their most recent report requested from their current school. Parents will need to fill out an admission form, which is based on the school's terms and conditions, to confirm acceptance of the place. In addition to filling out the form, a deposit will be required to guarantee tuition and care for the child (refundable at the end of the course).

Applicants will receive an introductory package of documents and will be invited to relevant information meetings.

The school has a non-selective admission policy. The only key entry point at Great Ballard is age:

• Kindergarten – from 2.5 years old,
• Preliminary – from the age of 4,
• Preparatory school (3rd year) – from 7 years old,
• High School (Year 7 & Year 9) – Ages 11 & 13

However, provided that the school has places in the appropriate groups, Great Ballard can accept a child of any age and at any point in the school year, even in the middle of the semester.

Scholarships are available upon application. All applicants for financial aid are subject to a background check with the independent Bursary Applications Limited (BAL) and any awards awarded are subject to annual review.

In addition to financial aid, the school offers the following alternative payment benefits:

• Discounts for siblings: 10% for the second child, 15% for the third child and 20% for the fourth child.
• Discount for military personnel.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision