Ballard School - New Headmaster, new life!
Ballard School - Excellent Independent Education from 18 months to 16 years old
To bend and borrow from an original saying; I think it is fair to assume that ‘you can take the child out of school, but you can’t take the school out of the child’ and it is this notion that I carried into my visit to Ballard the other day!
To be honest, even as a grown man, I always find visits to great schools slightly intimidating, with my own memories, fond or otherwise, etched on my mind as if they were yesterday. From the occasional caning in my day, to the thrill of doing well at something and being applauded by your peers and patted on the back by the establishment, I still find myself regressing to a childlike state and most especially still regard meeting a Headmaster as a really big deal. Where I should probably be quite confident and objective in adulthood, I still feel awkward calling a Teacher or Head by their first name and wholly obliged to mind my ‘P’s & Q’s’, lest I might be ordered to stay for detention or risk being told I’m not good enough and could ‘do better’.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this in a negative sense, because despite the latter implied chequered past (interrupted by girls, games and good times and not enough hard work) I had an amazing childhood and the majority of those happy memories were based on the schools I went to and the people charged with my pastoral care. It is this which provides me with my own personal measure of excellence when reviewing a place like Ballard School which, I am delighted to say, more than stacks up!
Upon arrival at the school grounds, one appreciates immediately an impressive sense of scale and inviting and cared for surroundings. The main building is full of the character inherent in such properties that were once elegant family manor houses; and it is here of course most prospective parents will be warmly greeted, as I myself was by Jackie Gunner, the effervescent and adorable business manager, whose efficient yet relaxed manner makes one feel immediately at home!
Happy looking children of all ages seemed to be buzzing around me, displaying in their sideways glances a sense of purpose and pride as they gravitated to the PAC (Performing Arts Centre) where they would shortly be gathering for the Headmaster’s assembly. Prior to this auspicious occasion however I was to spend some time with Alastair Reid, the new ‘Capo di tutti capi’, who has recently taken over at the helm.
Now whenever I have to give a presentation or speech, the thought of preceding that with an interview with the press would fill me with horror. I need time to prepare and get myself mentally sorted out before standing comfortably in front of hundreds of staring faces, but it seems this is all in a day’s work for a top Headmaster like Alastair.
Sitting in his surprisingly unintimidating study, I quickly took to ‘Mr Reid’, who not only has that rare quality you only find in those for whom teaching is a true vocation, rather than just a job, but whose background for most of his career working at a top school in India, can only but provide Ballard with a huge new asset in such experience. Clearly enjoying his new challenge, we discussed the strong focus on pastoral care at the school, underpinned by Christian values and the somewhat unique advantage of being able to educate your children there from the ages of 18 months to 16 years old, when they may then venture to any number of sixth form options in this area. I say unique, because in local independent schools they tend to finish at 13 years old or at ‘common entrance’ and either go on to board somewhere farther afield or compete for limited places at feasibly close day school options. At Ballard, that pressure is alleviated and for children who aren’t enamored with the prospect of boarding so young, this is a very convincing alternative. For those who do wish to exit at 13 to any of the country’s top schools, then the high standards at the school cater for that too.
I asked whether there was the obviously appealing possibility of the school one day seeing that education right through to 18 and though not on the cards, the stock answer is “Never say Never”.
Ballard has previously had its ups and downs in terms of academic results, but in recent years has been achieving at higher and higher levels. With the new leadership and resultant enthusiasm across the staff, this upward growth seems set to continue and having spent time there, I would definitely have it down as a serious contender… and I am highly critical and demanding for my child.
I could have chatted to Alastair for ages, but a room full of children awaited him and to my surprise and appreciation the invitation to join him was also forthcoming. We meandered to the fabulous PAC, where I listened to him congratulate achievements and spread his infectious positivity to the school who responded with genuine engagement and that sense of unison, you can only command if people actually like you. I also enjoyed the fact that a few detentions were announced too, because it qualified the fact that this place isn’t too good to be true and that my visit had been in part staged; rather I had just stumbled in to the warming rhythm of the Ballard family.
I would urge you to visit this school and make your own judgments’ on its character, but for my part, I truly like the people and the place. The facilities are exceptional and are constantly being improved and though I wasn’t able to stay for lunch, I wished I could have done.
For more information, please visit the school website, attend one of the regular Open Days, or simply make an appointment to visit at your own convenience. I promise you won’t be disappointed and particularly if you would like to educate your children on a day basis locally to the age of sixteen, then there aren’t really any better choices. Bear in mind also the value of the friendships your children will gain, being within one sympathetic, well run and happy environment from the time they are just walking to their late teenage years.
Priceless! JS
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Ballard School |
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Enquiries: |
01425 611153 |
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Fax: |
01425 622099 |
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Web site: |
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