The opportunity to shine The co-curricular programme at Ballard School has the highest priority One of the key benefits of an independent school education is the access to a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. In their study, ‘An Unequal Playing Field’ (2019), the Social Mobility Commission Chair, Dame Martina Milburn, found that co-curricular activities led to a number of “…important benefits – a sense of belonging, increased confidence and social skills, which are invaluable to employers.” At Ballard, we have underlined the importance of co-curricular activities by creating a new role, Director of Co-curricular, within our Leadership Team, putting it alongside pastoral and academic as the third pillar of our successful holistic education. “At Ballard, we have a passion for developing the ‘whole child’. We believe that in addition to providing a vigorous and challenging academic programme, education must also extend well beyond this, opening up experiences and opportunities that allow all our pupils
28
to develop skills including creativity, independence, teamwork and critical thinking: we prepare them for work and life in a rapidly changing world,” said Mrs Victoria Gray, Director of Co-curricular and Director of Performing Arts. With 120+ activities and GCSE ‘Raising Attainment’ sessions a week, Ballard’s co-curricular programme is designed to give pupils of all ages a breadth of opportunities, from Archaeology to Zumba! Whether it be to develop a passion, focus on a talent, or try something completely new, activities are categorised to help pupils choose appropriately. Whatever their individual strengths or curiosities, there is something for everyone. Categories include: • Academic Ambition – broadening our pupils’ minds with enrichment beyond the curriculum e.g. chess club and the Townsend Warner History prize.
