Set in over 250 acres of landscaped grounds in Dorset and founded in 1923, Sanford is among the top UK co-educational boarding schools for children aged 13–18. Its vision is for every pupil to be 'inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel'. This is underpinned by our values of courageous attitude, humble ambition, gracious leadership and purposeful engagement which we seek to instil in every Canfordian. The school celebrated its centenary in 2023 with the highest roll in its history.
Academic. Examination results and higher education offers are consistently excellent. The school is a leader regionally in A level and GCSE success – ranked No. 1 co-ed senior in the South-West for A level results by The Sunday Times Parent Power 2024 report. Over 95% of pupils move on to top universities each year and as a SAT testing centre, a number choose further study internationally, most recently gaining scholarships to top US colleges. Pupils also move on to degree apprenticeships, creative arts foundation courses and into the world of work. These outcomes are due to the dynamic, vibrant nature of the education we offer, where learning is cross-curricular. We are ambitious for our pupils, and Canfordians are encouraged to develop their interests both within and beyond the classroom within a supportive, inclusive environment.
Co-curricular. Pupils benefit from excellent sporting and arts facilities and a broad choice of activities. Learn Real Tennis on one of the few original school courts in the country, ascend Mont Blanc with the CCF Army corps, leap from great heights on the school climbing tower, take to the stage in dramatic or musical roles, or even indulge a passion for beekeeping.
The lively cultural enrichment programme includes visiting lecturers and inspirational trips designed to encourage pupils to debate and challenge perceived wisdom and broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons.
A Canford education is a great privilege and central to our ethos is making a difference, not only to our own lives but also to the lives of others. The school is one of only a handful of UK independents which fully sponsors an Academy school – The Bourne Academy in East Howe, one of the most deprived areas of the country. Over 8,800 hours annually are given by pupils and staff in Community Action projects, including working in primary schools, visiting the elderly, taking groups of inner-city pupils on trips to the beach and outdoor activity centres, and helping to maintain hedgerows and green spaces in the local area.
Each year, a group of Sixth Formers raise money themselves and visit orphanages, most recently in India, Ghana and Cambodia, to assist with building projects, and to teach and play with the children. This experience has such a profound effect that some pupils choose to return to further their work in the orphanages after they leave Canford.
As a parent commented: ‘It is such a privilege for a child to be educated at Canford. The school has managed to instil a sense of appreciating that privilege without the arrogance that can accompany a private education at some other top boarding schools.’
Facilities are first class, with a mix of Grade 1 listed buildings and modern teaching and boarding spaces. A sports centre, gym and swimming pool complex, an original Real Tennis court, a 9-hole golf course, school Boathouse, floodlit astros, netball and tennis courts and rugby and cricket pitches are among our sports facilities. Creative Arts are well served through a 300-seat theatre, dedicated Music School and Art Gallery.
A new library building offers over 300 metres of shelving and a multimedia area with access to multiple online resources. Breakout seminar spaces with video conferencing facilities allow for meetings both on site, and with schools and organisations across the globe through our Global Connections programme. A redesigned Assembly Hall to meet the school’s growing numbers opened in 2021. Two new boys’ boarding houses opened in 2023. The next project is the Sixth Form, with a careers and future life centre opening in 2025 and Upper Sixth house accommodation in 2026.
Awards
•Sunday Times Parent Power – Top Co-ed Independent School in South West for A level Results (2024)
•Best Schools Awards – Top 10 Co-ed Senior School for A level results (2024)
•HIEDA Health and Wellbeing Champion for All Round Excellence winner (2023)
•BSA Boarding Excellence in Mental Health and Wellbeing winner (2023)
•School House Community Partnerships winner (2023)
•TES Boarding School of the Year finalist (2023)
•Talk Education Innovation in Creative Arts finalist (2023)
•ISP Drama/Creative Arts School of the Year finalist (2023)
•The Week Best of the Best for School Campus Setting finalist (2023)
•Tatler Public School of the Year (2019)
•ISP Boarding School of the Year (2018)
Number of pupils. 650.
Admissions. At 13+ prospective pupils sit the ISEB pre-test at their schools and, if successful, are invited to a pre-assessment day called ‘The Headmaster’s List’; a mix of individual and group interviews and written and online assessments.
At 16+, pupils sit Canford’s own entrance tests and attend interviews at the school. They also have to meet the GCSE criteria for entry – currently 42 points, plus an 8 minimum at GCSE in the four subjects chosen to study at A level.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Boarders: £15,780, Day: £11,957 (subject to review January 2025 with VAT addition).
Scholarships and bursaries. At 13+ there are Academic, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Sport awards. At 16+ there are Academic, Music and co-curricular (Assyrian) Scholarships. Awards are between 5% and 20% of fees, and can be supplemented with a means-tested bursary if applicable.
Canford is committed to broadening access to the education it offers, with means-tested bursaries worth up to 110% of fees. The Martin Marriott Foundation, named after a former Headmaster, was established in 2017 with the specific purpose of raising funds to support bursary pupils. In the past year it has raised sufficient funds to sponsor two SpringBoard pupils at 13+ entry. Around 6% of our pupils receive means-tested support and 35 pupils are currently benefiting from 80% or more bursary funding.
Charitable status. Canford School is a Registered Charity, number 306315.