BALLARD School in New Milton has achieved the highest possible grade in every area of school life, according to its latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report.

Visiting the school over a three-day period, inspectors focused on two key areas that assess the overall quality of school life. This included the quality of students’ academic and other achievements, in addition to the quality of the pupils’ personal development.

Both have received the top grade of Excellent.

Assessing student achievements, findings in the report highlight that Ballard pupils engage actively in the wide range of learning opportunities that are made available to them within and beyond the classroom.

This has led to outstanding levels of achievement in music, drama, art and sport. Pupils also have high levels of oral communication and presentation skills and they express their ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and with good humour.

Inspectors noted that pupils’ study skills "are strong across the school throughout the curriculum" and that "attitudes to learning are very strong amongst the pupils across all year groups."

In terms of their personal development, pupils are said to be reflective, set high expectations of themselves and display both confidence and resilience. They also eagerly and willingly give up their time and energy to help others.

Headmaster Alastair Reid said: "The ISI report represents a huge achievement for the entire Ballard family, including pupils, staff, parents and governors. We are incredibly pleased to receive a complete set of top grades in the face of much change and under a great deal of scrutiny."

The school has also been found to comply with every Department for Education and Independent Schools Council regulation.