Great Ballard School
Chichester, West Sussex · PO18 0LR
Great Ballard is a coeducational, day-only independent school founded in 1924 in Eartham near Chichester, West Sussex, serving 222 pupils from age 3 to 18. The school emphasises a caring, family-oriented environment rooted in founder Ivor Poole's vision of treating every child as visible and valued. Its curriculum combines traditional subjects with forward-thinking priorities in leadership, problem-solving, technology and enterprise, leveraging its stunning South Downs setting for outdoor learning and wellbeing.
- →Strong pastoral care and family ethos where every child is known and treated as an individual
- →All-through education from Nursery to Sixth Form in a single, intimate community of 222 pupils
- →Innovative curriculum balancing academic rigour with leadership, enterprise and outdoor education in a national park setting
Who thrives here
Pupils who thrive in a nurturing, relationship-centred environment and benefit from smaller class sizes; those with intellectual curiosity who respond well to personalised learning and outdoor exploration.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Eartham
Chichester, West Sussex
PO18 0LR
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
How do you get into Great Ballard School?
Great Ballard School admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Great Ballard School's exam results?
At Great Ballard School, 25% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Great Ballard School a boarding school?
Great Ballard School is a day school in Chichester and does not offer boarding.
What is Great Ballard School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Great Ballard School “Excellent” (2023).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Genuinely caring, family-oriented ethos where every child is known and valued
✓Small, intimate community fostering strong relationships and sense of belonging
✓Innovative, forward-thinking curriculum balancing academic depth with creativity, outdoor learning and life skills
Common concerns
!Not yet Ofsted-inspected, limiting independent external validation of provision