From the Headmaster

Welcome to Canford.

Whether you are an existing pupil, current or prospective parent, Old Canfordian or simply have an interest in finding out more about the school, I hope our website will give you a good understanding of life at Canford.  However, words are easy to write, hard to live up to.  You will pick up more about what is real and important to us from watching and listening during a visit than you will from reading our prospectus or browsing this website.   So if you have not experienced Canford for yourself, I would encourage you to come and visit.

I hope you will find that our objectives are at the same time simple and multi-faceted.  We want our young people to develop the qualities to live life in all its fullness and to contribute richly to society.  Wisdom and moral courage are cornerstones of this and they are developed through such attributes as tolerance, compassion, self-discipline, imagination and resilience, each often hard won.

Beyond that there are the many skills such as leadership, flexibility, teamwork and reasoning power which will bring success.  Not least amongst these I would place lightness of touch and a sense of proportion.

Our hopes and expectations for young people are great and it is Canford's task to help them meet these demands with a spring in their step.  The environment is structured and yet allows them to grow as individuals through exposure to a very wide range of opportunities.  Breadth is an essential feature of Canford life.

In achieving these aims, academic matters are of primary importance, of course. The school emphasises both the disciplines and freedoms of the intellect.  Academic work may be the ladder to universities and careers but it is equally a source of much pleasure and personal growth, regardless of ability.

Creativity and self-discovery are fostered also through the range of extra-curricular activities. One can not tell whether balls or greasepaint or water or bees will fire up the imagination but the opportunities and encouragement are there.

Our task is daunting in its scope and delicacy, so mutual support amongst staff, parents and pupils needs to be strong.  Truly, all educate all.

John Lever, MA (Cantab)
Headmaster