Head – Ballard School

It is an exciting time to be joining Ballard, with Governance and Leadership teams purposefully moving the School forward with confidence and energy.

Ballard is a thriving co-educational day school from Nursery to GCSE, set in an attractive 34-acre site on the border of Hampshire and Dorset.  The School’s award-winning status is rooted in its belief that abilities and intelligence are not fixed – all can flourish and excel when given the tools and environment to develop self-knowledge and resilience. Ballard provides a vast array of opportunities, but it is how the School encourages and inspires its pupils to seize them, that sets it apart.

Co-education is at the heart of Ballard’s inclusive philosophy. Pupils learn with and from each other, through collaboration and lively competition. In an atmosphere of inclusivity and kindness, every child is stretched in their talents and encouraged to tackle what does not come easily. Boy, girl, expert, novice – no subject nor interest is beyond reach.

Ballard prides itself on its modern, forward-thinking curriculum, providing an aspirational, academic and holistic education. The dedicated staff inspire and guide young people, challenging and supporting them in equal measure. The School’s drive to deliver a first-class education, with a close eye on the future, gives shape to the School’s ambitious investment and development plans.

In recent years, Ballard’s dynamic leadership has turned ‘excellent & outstanding’ (ISI) into exceptional. With many inspiring plans in place, there has never been a better time to take up the helm of this wonderful school. Ballard is regularly recognised by prestigious award giving bodies, including Independent School of the Year Awards, winning their Co-educational School of the Year Award in 2024.

We are looking for candidates who are academically focused whilst also being passionate about outstanding pastoral care and advocates of a broad co-curricular programme. The next Head will be someone who is empathetic with a warm and engaging personality, and who appreciates the holistic and pupil-centred nature of successful schools such as Ballard. Experience of working in through schools, would be an advantage.

Potential candidates are invited to email one of the following consultants for a confidential initial conversation:

Isabel Patchett, Search Consultant: isabelpatchett@rsacademics.com or

Charlotte Faber, Senior Advisor: charlottefaber@rsacademics.com

The closing date is Friday 10^th October, 2025 at 10.00am UK time.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• A completed application form.
• A covering letter addressed to Mrs Fiona Morgan, Co-Chair of Governors. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Laura Cave, Project Coordinator, at applications@rsacademics.com. Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 795.

N.B. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process.

• Ballard School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
• The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.
• RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.