Canford School

Our View

This is a very special school. Superb facilities in an almost matchlessly lovely environment; first rate teaching with pupils who really do seem to find joy through achievement. A school of opportunities with windows open to the world outside. Unpretentious and sensitive, at ease with itself but without a trace of smugness. A school which can hold its own with the most popular in the country but one which has, perhaps, benefited from not being fashionable. The question is, for how long will that bonus remain with them?

Head

Shortly after Mr John Lever MA PGCE (fifties) settled himself at the helm in 1992, the Church of England voted to accept women priests and the Queen referred to her Annus Horribilis; earlier Betty Boothroyd had been elected the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons. That's how long ago it was and at least two of those events must have sent tremors down to the idyllic acres of Canford. Budding Boothroyds and women priests began to fill the school shortly after his arrival. A product of Westminster and Trinity Cambridge, where he read geography and won a rowing blue, he arrived at Canford after a brief spell at St Edward's, Oxford ('I don't think I did any teaching there') followed by sixteen years at Winchester, where he did teach and was a housemaster. Married to Alisoun with three children.

The prospectus, one of the very few we have read which can be enjoyed for its literary and thought-tugging merit, is largely scripted by the headmaster. Nor does he disappoint when meeting him. Articulate and witty, he does not belong to the turkey-cock school of heads firing off sound-bites and trumpeting successes, while exuding self-importance and power. He talks of the old virtues with originality and sensitivity, is totally lacking in pomposity, enjoys the fact that, when it comes to change, Canford, as a young school, has the 'manoeuvrability of a speed boat' and enjoys the company of the pupils – 'rebels included'. Sitting in his extraordinarily decorated study with exquisite views over the manicured grounds, he can watch with interest boys and girls drifting by. Many of them look in as they pass; some smile, a few wave. This is not an ogre in his den. 'He's got a great sense of humour but he's no pushover,' said a boy who looked as if he might have experienced both characteristics. Most parents think he is terrific; one or two thought he might be running out of ideas, a suggestion which was howled down by the majority. 'I never cease to be amazed by his capacity for thinking up new ways of encouraging individual growth within a sense of community,' says a neighbouring head.

Academic Matters

Do not be fooled by the relaxed and informal atmosphere that pervades, even when A levels and GCSEs loom. This is a school where there is some cracking good teaching going on and the staff we met were fizzy, fun and focused. What's more, pupils seemed to acknowledge and value that, frequently volunteering respect and affection for their teachers – even when out of ear shot. The excellent relations between staff and pupils which really do seem to exist at Canford are founded on trust and willingness, as much in the classroom as out. Indeed divisions between inside and out are frequently invisible: whether it's the school lobster sloughing his shell, wounded seahorses finding solace with the biology faculty, brown trout being launched into the river, setting out for Lyonesse in search of Thomas Hardy and Tennyson, down to St Ives for painting and artists, much of what is taught and disseminated involves wholeness. This is not gimmicky stuff: it's education in the round. Education for life.

Statistically minded league table bibbers ought to be impressed by the results published in the prospectus pack and on the internet: they make good reading. Canford's GCSE and A level results are right up with co-education schools with more illustrious names. Considering the breadth of intake that speaks volumes.

New boys and girls try every subject available in a kind of academic circus including Connections, a non examined course in every year group involving PSE, citizenship and general knowledge. Everyone takes a language at GCSE; very, very few people drop below a B. The system precludes cutting out subjects too early and gives a far more realistic foundation from which to choose A levels. Breadth, breadth, breadth. Facilities are good: glorious library, innovative new IT room, lively DT space (more girls than boys taking A level this year – so one in the eye for critics who say that co-education polarises subject choices) good science laboratories (55 per cent in the Lower V1 doing sciences. 'The quality of teaching for the sciences is one of the best kept secrets in Dorset,' says a delighted parent.) Languages are 'fun' and imaginatively taught but numerically not as popular; music and art results excellent (the latter taught by the man who runs the 1st XV). All this is supported, encouraged, broadened by visiting authors and scientists, poets and politicians : fresh air from without as well as expeditions and trips abroad, trips to the theatre and other places of interest. No boundaries. Good provision for those with learning difficulties. Learning skills can replace a GCSE and help with dyslexia is in-house and available on a one-to-one basis.

Games, Options, the Arts

Notable successes on the games field at every level. Rugby, hockey and cricket for boys; hockey and netball for girls are the main team games, though a sizeable number of boys and girls take to the river and propel themselves backwards as fast as they can. Some recent successes at Henley and more local regattas and a magnificent feat on the part of a boy who last year sculled over the channel only ten minutes outside the world record. There is a Royal/real tennis court (not many of those around) a delightful golf course as well as numerous Astroturf pitches and a huge sports hall with room for indoor cricket nets, indoor hockey, weight-lifting, dance practice rooms. Everything. The old swimming pool is leaking water and money; a new and snazzy indoor one, haemorrhaging school funds but reckoned to be essential, is due to open shortly. The CCF is popular but not compulsory with an exciting assault course and the opportunity for challenging expeditions; alternatively, younger pupils take part in conservation project work, while the majority of sixth formers are involved in a local partnership project such as working with disabled young people or helping teach science and languages in local primary schools.

The Canford Northam project is a more ambitious community project with an inner city young club in Southampton. Always the outside world beckons. Nowhere is this more obvious than with the Canford Partnership which, founded with money raised from the sale of the Assyrian bas-relief, annually sends parties of young Canfordians to orphanages in India, Argentina and a village school in Kenya. Pupils raise money over the year and then visit with practicalities and spirit, helping to build tangibly and, as importantly, build bridges of understanding and friendship. Staff and pupils are 'humbled by the experience' and feel they have a 'clearer and wider window on the world'. Again, this is not a gimmick; rather a life-enhancing experience.

Music is terrific and has been for some time. Concerts for all and by many abound; a great number play instruments and are encouraged to perform at any standard. Drama – in the hugely attractive Layard theatre – built specifically for teaching purposes but home to travelling thespians and countless home grown productions – is lively, innovative and popular. 'Anyone can get involved from actors to lighting and sound boffins' and they do. Art flourishes in a minimalist building designed by a previous art master, offering a wide range of media from oil paintings and ceramics to glass work and objects from abandoned cars. Creativity, the courage to experiment and challenge boundaries, individuality and skilled draughtsmanship are all in evidence. The building is open at week-ends.

Background and Atmosphere

Dull would he (or she) be who failed to respond to the beauties of Canford and its Capability Brown landscape. Here, where a building of some sort has stood since the Domesday book, is a monument to the ambitions of the Guest family of GKN fame and Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament inter alia. The Norman origins remain in the evocative John of Gaunt's kitchen, no longer used for the purpose, and the delicious church in the grounds, too small to take the whole school but used for smaller gatherings. The main building is 19th century at its most baronial. Eating is enjoyed within a magnificent Arthurian hall where in 1888 Edward, Prince of Wales, danced after a ritual slaughter of birds at a shooting party . Nowadays cafeteria meals offer a wider choice of good food with breakfasts allegedly 'amazing'. Founded in 1923 great names from the past are given to key buildings but sit lightly on the superb modern buildings dotted around 250 acres complete with wonderful arboretum, a constant source of delight and research. That and the river with its suspension bridge and mill pond offer a whiff of Eden – as well as teaching aids. The beautiful surroundings play an integral part in this purposeful paradise and it's all only two hours by train from London.

The three day houses are mixed and a day pupil told us that they feel integrated, though many go home at 6pm. The most interesting accommodation is within the main buildings – School House, for instance, has a State bedroom, wonderful old rooms and a maze of corridors. More recent house accommodation is well designed with good chilling out areas and kitchens, computer rooms and study bedrooms for older pupils. Girls have bright and airy accommodation comprised of single and double bedrooms with washbasins, sewing machines and areas for socialising with the boys. A recent group of inspectors described the accommodation as 'outstanding', not a word that is selected lightly from their bland vocabulary.

Prefects are chosen less for their role as bloods, more for their ability to identify minorities and to care. All this supports the feeling that the aim of the school is to promote well rounded citizens rather than slaves to league tables. The head of school is chosen after a series of interviews and prefects act as conduits between staff and pupils. No swaggering. Pleasant tuck shop known as 'the grubber', much to the delight of the press when the Assyrian bas relief was recognised as genuine, complete with holes from darts. Excellent Health Centre makes up for not having house matrons living in and there is an impressive new sixth form centre though the school is still wrestling with how best to use it. The overall feeling we got was of space and friendliness with pupils ready to talk and laugh. All very happy. Special mention for the sixth former whom we discovered lolling on a sofa reading Dante on his ipod – at least that's what he claimed.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

The matter of child protection once more drew that rare word 'outstanding' from the inspectors, something which did not surprise our guides. 'There are so many people you can talk to if you're worried or unhappy.' Each house has a married house parent, three tutors (one resident in each boarding house) and a matron. Bullying is very rare though, not unusually, there can be some jostling to establish pecking order among the first year. The point is, no one need feel isolated. There is an official counsellor and a listening service for those who feel some objectivity is required. Sixth formers choose their own tutors – not necessarily from a subject teacher – and meet regularly. There is a zero tolerance policy on drugs (though our guides couldn't remember the last incident); illegal drinking, though dealt with firmly, is more of a challenge. Smoking, it is said, is no longer a problem. Senior pupils may, with permission, visit the fleshpots of Wimborne for dinner on Saturdays and are required to show restaurant receipts. Reins are lightly held but never dropped.

Pupils and Parents

This is not an international school nor, surprisingly, a national school. The head is 'content to remain below the radar' and is pleased that the majority come from less than two hours away. 'It makes it easier to get to know the parents if they are regular visitors.' A smattering come from London and 10 per cent of boarders come from the Channel Isles. There are some foreign nationals – a few from the far east, from Africa and Europe – but by no means the shopping trolley loads imported by some schools. Day pupils can come and go by bus and for them occasional overnight accommodation may be offered ; senior pupils may use their own cars. The school does not empty at weekends – indeed for 10 weekends of the year pupils are required to stay at school; otherwise arrangements for home leave are sensitively handled. The majority of parents come from local professions with a high preponderance of medics. Those to whom we spoke appreciated the contact they have with the school.

Entrance

55 per cent at CE is the benchmark, though the school will exercise its discretion in favour of potential flagged up by prep school heads. Relations with prep schools are good and this year's batch of scholars came from 20 different schools. There are over 40 on their books. About 30 join annually post GCSE.

Exit

97 per cent to universities. Bright pupils are encouraged to set their sights at Oxbridge – 'it's a healthy challenge' – and around 30 do. Over the last four years the school has averaged 16 Oxbridge places per year. This is a school which is not overly fussed about league tables, so isn't in the business of weeding out pupils who may bring them down a little – providing they are really striving for their potential. Occasionally the head will suggest some would 'do better in a different environment' but that's usually enough to do the trick. Traditionally strong on engineering and medicine but an increasingly wide variety of subjects are read at over 30 different universities.

Money Matters

A range of scholarships is available at 13+ and into the sixth form.