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What We Offer

  • Business studies
  • Classics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Design Technology
  • Drama/Theatre
  • Economics
  • Government/Politics
  • ICT
  • Painting/Sculpture
  • Philosophy/Ethics
  • Theology
  • Ancient Greek
  • Chinese
  • Chinese - Mandarin
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Archery
  • Athletics
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Cross-Country
  • Fitness Training
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts
  • Netball
  • Rugby
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Touch Rugby
  • Volleyball
  • Water Sports
  • Adventure Training
  • Ballet
  • Cadets
  • Canoeing
  • Chess
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Duke of Edinburgh
  • First Aid/Life Savers
  • Fishing
  • Language Club
  • Orienteering
  • Public Speaking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Rowing
  • Sailing
  • Scuba Diving
  • Shooting
  • Skiing
  • A Level - Advanced Level Examinations
  • Trinity College Music Exams
  • Trinity Guildhall Speech and Drama Exams
  • Church of England
  • Hearing Impairment (HI)
  • Dyslexia or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
  • Armed Forces Children
  • Diplomatic Children
  • Expatriate Children
  • Gifted Children
  • International Students
  • Rail Services
  • School Bus Service
  • Special Diets

Word From The Head

Head Photo

From Ben Vessey, Headmaster


Set in 250 acres of landscaped parkland on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset, rated 'Among the top 10 most beautiful schools' by The Daily Telegraph, Canford is an inspirational place to live and study. The high quality of its education has been recognised through numerous national industry awards, including 'Tatler Public School of the Year 2019/20','Independent School Parent Boarding School of the Year 2018/19' and a finalist in the TES Awards for three consecutive years including 'Senior School of the Year' and 'Community Partnerships' work. It has established a commanding reputation built on its excellent academic record and fresh lively approach.

Canford's vision is for every pupil to 'Explore, Express and Excel', a vision underpinned by the core values of Courageous Attitude, Purposeful Engagement, Humble Ambition and Gracious Leadership. We want our pupils to leave us equipped with the attitude and skills to live successful and happy lives, whatever the future may hold.

The school is well known nationally for high quality pupil outcomes, including academically where it has ranked No.1 in the South West by The Sunday Times Parent Power for two consecutive year for its excellent A Level results. The university route remains popular and over 95% of Canfordians move on to higher education each year, with 90 Oxbridge offers in the past decade, and over 100 places for highly competitive Medical Schools and for Veterinary Science. Over 80% of all offers are to institutions in the Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 in recent years.

Alongside the overall high quality educational offering, emphasis is placed on individual development; Canford is ambitious for its pupils in all aspects and provides all the academic, emotional and spiritual support pupils need to reach their potential across their school lives. Canford is known for its warm and supportive school community, and the recent Independent Schools Inspectorate report said that "pupils' learning and achievements in their academic courses and in games and co-curricular activities are outstanding". With a culture which encourages participation and hard work, breadth and excellence jostle to good effect. Many clubs and societies, educational trips and facilities give pupils the opportunity to develop strong personal qualities as well as lifelong skills and enthusiasms. Leadership within the school is seen in terms of service. Canford regards service as a natural dimension of learning. The pleasure and enthusiasm with which Canfordians embrace community service, as well as care for each other, is one of its proudest achievements.

Pastoral care is based on the house system, which provides the continuity and security in a pupil's life within which personal development can take place. The houses consist of 60 or so pupils, large enough to create a varied and challenging community, small enough to promote a sense of belonging. Above all else, the house is home.

Broadening access to a Canford education is a further aim, with around 40 scholarships offered each year for academic excellence or talent in Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music or Sport. Means tested bursaries are worth up to 100% of fees.

Despite its success, Canford does not rest on its laurels. New boarding accommodation, a new library, extended dining facilities and a new Assembly Hall have all opened in recent years. In 2025/26 a new Sixth Form College building will open, including a Future Pathways Centre to develop life skills and offer careers guidance, Sixth Form social spaces and accommodation for Upper Sixth boarding and day pupils.

Fees

Annual Day Fees *£34491 to £34491
Annual Weekly Boarding Fees *£0 to £0
Annual Full Boarding Fees *£45519 to £45519
* Currency: GB Pound

Number Of Pupils

144Day93
240Full Boarding178
0Weekly Boarding0
Boys Girls

Admissions

Scholarships and Bursaries

  • Academic
  • Armed forces discounts or bursaries
  • Art
  • Assisted Places
  • Bursaries
  • Clergy/Ministers
  • Drama
  • Financial Assistance
  • Music
  • Scholarships - Other
  • Science
  • Siblings
  • Sixth Form
  • Sport

Admissions Process

  • Assessment
  • Common Entrance
  • Entry test or exam
  • GCSE results
  • Interview
  • Report from previous school
  • References

Open Days, Visits & Events

04-10-2025 - Open Morning

Open Mornings are a useful introduction to the school and offer the chance to meet the Headmaster and senior teaching staff, tour the school and visit academic and co-curricular departments. Each family will be offered a personal guided tour with a pupil. Our Open Mornings are a chance to see the school on a working day, with separate events for families interested in entry at Year 9 (13+) and Sixth Form entry (16+).

Holiday Camps

11-08-2025 - Sports Academy

Canford is delighted to once again be able to host its 4-day Summer Sports Academy from Monday 11th - Thursday 14th August 2025. Led by the school’s own sports coaches and visiting coaching staff and making use of the exceptional sporting facilities among 250 acres of grounds, Canford is the perfect setting for children to develop their sporting, teamwork and leadership skills.

Read the full Sports Academy Terms and Conditions, included in the brochure, before booking.

% Pupils Gaining
GCSE/IGCSE Passes 7 - 9

% Pupils Gaining
A Level Grades A – C

IB Score
 

School Reviews

Talk Education


Following meetings with groups of staff and pupils, the overriding view was that despite the ‘magnificent setting and illustrious history’, a Canford education results in pupils who are ‘friendly, down-to-earth and outward-looking, happy in their own skin and modest about their achievements – even...  

Prospective Parent


Canford is a very welcoming school and the Open Mornings are brilliantly run. The school strikes the perfect balance, showing exactly what you offer and meeting very helpful staff and delightful pupils.  

Sunday Times Parent Power Report 2025


Best co-educational independent boarding and day school in the South West for A Level A* and GCSE 9-7 performance.  

Talk Education


With its 18th-century arboretum, pretty Norman church and the weeping-willow lined River Stour winding through the grounds – just outside the picturesque Dorset village of Canford Magna – Canford’s campus is jaw-droppingly beautiful.  

Pupil


My house is like a family to me.  

Alexander Trewby F93, OC and Tech Entrepreneur


I had such a great time at school, and boarding especially gave me independence and resilience, a home from home, and friends for life.  

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