Canford shortlisted for South Region Independent School of the Year
Published by Canford School on Tuesday 15th of July 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Canford has been shortlisted from independent schools across the UK as the regional school of the year for the South of England in this year’s industry leading Independent School Parent annual awards.
This is a huge honour and credit to everyone associated with Canford, particularly given the South of England has the highest number of independent schools in the country. Counties included in the selection criteria were Avon, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
The judges asked schools to consider three key questions:
1. What is it that you do to capitalise on your location in the South of the country which makes your school stand out from other schools in the area?
2. Why do you think your location in your part of the South of the UK – and the activities/school life this has enabled you to offer – provides pupils with an enhanced student experience?
3. The impact your school and its regional identity on both pupils and the wider local community
Dr Helen Wright, Chair of this year’s judging panel, commented:
“Reading through this year’s entries, the judges have been particularly struck by the resilience and determination shown by the UK independent schools’ sector in the face of unprecedented challenge to their existence. Meantime, globally, independent schools are facing up to political uncertainty with equal levels of fortitude. Independent schools across the world, it is clear, are working harder than ever to ensure that their students – and the whole community – will develop into well-rounded human global citizens who are able to make the most of their own skills in order to contribute positively to humanity.”
Finalists will be announced on 9th September with the winners at a ceremony in London in October.
Headmaster Ben Vessey commented:
What a wonderful way to end our school year at Canford, and particularly special for me as I leave my role as Headmaster after 12 years. In a highly competitive region including some of the best known names among independent schools globally, I am absolutely delighted for everyone at Canford. It is a fantastic achievement for the school.
