Visiting schools and meeting the admissions teams is an essential part of our work and so our recent tour of boarding schools in the South West took us to Canford near Wimborne in Dorset. This is a school which has always been very popular with many of our clients, and it is not difficult to see why.
Popular full co-educational boarding school in Dorset
Canford is one of the UK’s top co-educational day and full boarding schools for ages 13-18. There is no weekly or flexi boarding here and around 70% of pupils are full boarders in the 10 boarding houses which each have around 60-65 pupils.
Broad academic curriculum
The school is set in 250 acres and is a mix of stunning listed buildings and modern impressive facilities. Academically students excel at Canford, and the school sets the academic bar unashamedly high with tailored support for every individual pupil. The average class size for GCSE is 14. A Levels and GCSE are on offer as well as the opportunity to take the Extended Project Qualification which is worth half an A Level. The school was voted the ‘Best co-educational independent school in the South West for 2023 A Level performance’ (Sunday Times Parent Power 2024).
Strong in sports and the arts with a varied co-curricular offering
Beyond the classroom there is so much on offer for all abilities from sport, culture and the arts. The facilities on offer are fabulous with gyms, dance studios, and an impressive indoor pool. All the traditional sports are played here and being close to the river Stour, rowing is an option. Canford also offers Real Tennis allowing pupils to play on one of only 44 Real Tennis courts in the world as well as the popular Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and the school participates in the Army Ten Tors. Creative arts thrive from an incredible Design & Technology Department to the stunning art department and a music department that has 20 music groups and ensembles.
Canford has SO much to offer and to take in all that this superb school offers we strongly feel you do have to visit it for yourself to and meet the pupils. We were shown around by two delightful full boarders who were both confident, grounded and rightly proud of their school but above all were making the most of every opportunity that this wonderful school has to offer. There is no better advert.
Canford is a very popular school, and we advise parents to apply early if this is a school you wish to consider for your child. If you would like to know more about Canford please do not hesitate to contact us.
