Ballard Crowned Best Independent School in the South of England
A New Forest school has been named the best independent school in the South of England.
Ballard School in New Milton, Hampshire, was named Regional Independent School of the Year (South) at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026 – annual sector-wide awards run by Independent School Parent.
Announcing the award at a ceremony on Wednesday, October 14, Chair of Judges Dr Helen Wright, a former Vice-Chair of the Independent Schools Council with three major headships under her belt, said:
“Our winner in this category makes really wonderful use of the landscape around it. Indeed, the countryside, coast, and local communities often seem to become an extension of the classroom. Just as importantly, pupils are encouraged not merely to enjoy where they live, but to engage with it, contribute to it, and help shape it.”
The regional award, which last year went to Canford School, Dorset, celebrates the individuality of independent schools and how they reflect and are enhanced by their locations.
With finalists from across the South, including from the City of Oxford, Bath in Somerset, Thorpe in Surrey and Bradfield in Berkshire, it was fiercely contested, with judges taking the unusual step of highly commending another school in the same category.
This latest recognition for Ballard is the fourth in five years from these prestigious awards, which are open to every independent school in the UK.
The school, which turned 30 earlier this year, was also a finalist in the Performing Arts category in 2022, a finalist for the Sports award in 2023, and won Co-educational School of the Year in 2024.
Stuart Turner, Headmaster of Ballard School, said:
“This is an extraordinary achievement for our school, celebrating many of the qualities we’re proud of – our vibrant community, our connection to the natural world, our ethos of taking education beyond the classroom, and the way our pupils get involved and give back at every opportunity.
“We are especially pleased to celebrate this milestone in our 30th year, looking ahead to a bright future where we remain dedicated to nurturing curious, grounded and outward-looking young people who are ready to make a positive difference to the world around them.”
Ballard, a co-educational through-school, which educates pupils from nursery to Year 11, was also recently ranked among the best value private schools in the country by The Telegraph and named ‘Best Education Management Business of the Year - UK’ in the 2026 Global 100 Awards. It is currently also a finalist for two Independent Schools Association awards for Outstanding Sport and Excellence in Sustainability.
Ballard School is an award-winning, independent, co-educational day school for children aged 2–16. For more information, please visit www.ballardschool.co.uk.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact The Inspiration Agency (working on behalf of Ballard School) on 01202 923800 or email [email protected].