Canford School A GSG School
- Canford School
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 3AD - Head: Mr Ben Vessey BA MA MBA
- T 01202 847207
- F 01202 881723
- E admissions@canford.com
- W www.canford.com
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 13 to 18.
- Read about the best schools in Dorset
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Pupils: 660; sixth formers: 287
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £34,491; Boarding £45,519 pa
- Open days: Saturday 27th April and Saturday 5th October 2024
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Several academic departments get together to devise exciting cross-curricular projects on big and pertinent themes such as migration, but this broad approach in no way detracts from the hard academic graft and excellent teaching which go towards those outstanding exam results. Alongside the usual rugby, hockey, cricket, netball and tennis, comes rowing on a tranquil stretch of the River Stour. Some students disapprove of…
What the school says...
Canford is among the top co-educational boarding schools in the country, selected in the past 5 years as 'Boarding School of the Year' in the Independent School Parent awards and Tatler Public School of the Year. The school combines first class academic achievement with a diverse range of artistic, cultural and sporting activities to provide a balanced and broad education. The environment encourages participation, hard work and a strong sense of community, teamwork and integrity. The campus setting gives the school a collegiate feel, while the beauty of the buildings and quality of the facilities, set within 250 acres of grounds, inspire pupils to achieve their full potential.
Examination results are impressive. Over 90 offers to Oxbridge have been awarded in the past decade, alongside over 100 on highly competitive Medical, Veterinary Science and Dentistry courses. A level results are a leader regionally and have been rated among the top co-educational boarding schools in the country, with at least 30% A* and over 60% A*/A grades achieved in recent years, over twice the national figures.
Canfordians also excel in a range of co-curricular activities. Music and Drama are strong, with pupils regularly represented in the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Theatre. In sport, girls' netball and hockey teams have reached the nationals and all six boys' and girls' hockey squads were county champions for two consecutive years - never before achieved by a school in the region. The 1st VIII boat regularly reaches Henley Regatta while the 1st XV rugby have reached the quarter finals of the prestigious Daily Mail trophy and individual pupils have represented GB at hockey and rowing, at Academy level in rugby and England cricket in recent years.
Scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+, with means tested bursaries worth up to 100% of fees offered throughout the school. ...Read more
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Sports
Unusual sports
Rowing
Shooting
Sailing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since 2013, Ben Vessey MA MBA, previously senior deputy head at Christ’s Hospital. Educated at Magdalen College School and and University of Southampton, he spent a few years as an oil and gas broker in the city, before realising that was not really what he wanted to do. Spells at Dauntseys and Millfield gave him indispensable experience of teaching, housemastering and heading a faculty, but he has never lost his love of history and still teaches Canford’s youngest students.
We found the relaxed demeanour of a head absolutely on top of his game with nary a trace of complacency – and there would be a lot to be complacent about. Attired in chinos, suede brogues and striped shirt and tie, in no way did he try to sell us the...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
Canford aims to support all its pupils in effective learning. The special needs policy is broadly inclusive although it is recognises that some pupils may need extra support at times during their academic career. Communication between pupil, teachers and school is a vital part of its philosophy. Information about pupils with diagnosed difficulties along with suggested teaching strategies is entered on to the school database so that it can be accessed by staff at any time and INSET staff-training is offered on a regular basis. One-to-one tuition from suitably qualified specialist tutors is available for those who require it. The Support for Learning Centre is fully equipped and pupils are made to feel welcome and can discuss their needs in a supportive atmosphere. 10-09
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | Y |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | Y |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | Y |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | Y |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldro | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Castle Court | 2023 | 6 | Scholarships: 5 x Academic, 1 x Music | |
| Chafyn Grove School | 2023 | 2 | ||
| Cheam School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Dulwich Prep London | 2023 | 2 | ||
| Dumpton School | 2023 | 5 | 5 Academic Scholarships and 1 Sport scholarship | |
| Eaton House the Manor Boys’ School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Edgeborough School | 2023 | |||
| Elstree School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Farleigh School | 2023 | 8 | ||
| Hazlegrove School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Highfield and Brookham School | 2023 | 4 | ||
| Papplewick School | 2023 | 2 | ||
| Perrott Hill School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 1 Music Scholarship |
| Sandroyd School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Shrewsbury House School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| The Downs Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Twyford School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Walhampton School | 2023 | 6 | 3 | Sports Scholarships (2); Academic Scholarship |
| Westbourne House School | 2023 | 4 | 1 | Academic Scholarship |
| Windlesham House School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Woodcote House School | 2023 | 2 | 1 | Academic Scholarship |
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