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Inspired To

Explore

Empowered To

Express

Challenged To

Excel

Welcome To

Canford

Full Boarding & Day School
Co-Educational
13-18

Full Boarding & Day School
Co-Educational
13-18

Full Boarding & Day School
Co-Educational
13-18

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Academic
Sixth Form

Canfordians secure over 450 offers to top universities so far

Canfordians secure over 450 offers to top universities at home and abroad so far.

Academic

Sunday Times Parent Power 2025

Canford ranks No. 1 South West Co-ed Independent Boarding and Day School at A Level A* and GCSE 9-7

Academic
Canford Community

Announcement of new Headmaster

The Governors of Canford are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Wheeler, currently Principal at Monkton Combe School, as Ben Vessey’s successor from September 2025.

13+Join Us

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Our Vision & Culture

Our School at a Glance

Key facts and information about Canford and the education we offer.

Canford is a full boarding school - there is no flexi or weekly boarding. Day pupils take advantage of the 24/7 school environment and can join boarders for activities and events during the evenings and at weekends. The size of the school - currently 650 pupils - means that we can offer and compete against other schools in sporting, academic and cultural activities but also ensure every pupil is known and valued as an individual.

The beauty of our campus is well known as among the most special in the UK, and our proximity to the Dorset coast offers a unique and inspirational place in which to live and work.

70%

boarding pupils

10

houses, 4 bb, 3 gb and 3 co-ed day

250

acres of grounds

5

miles from the Dorset coast

Opportunities to Explore

Canford is a school of opportunities. We want pupils to be excited about learning, both through academic challenge and a rich and extensive co-curricular programme which offers a very wide range of options for creativity and self-discovery.

20

Music groups and ensembles

40

Pupil leader roles each year

1,000+

sports matches each year

50+

co-curricular activities, groups and societies

Results and Careers

We are ambitious for Canfordians to achieve their very best outcomes academically to enable them to follow their chosen future career and work pathways. Canford is proud of its high quality teachers who are specialists in their field with a genuine passion and enthusiasm for their subject.

66%

A Level A*/A % Grades in 2023

44

Oxbridge offers in the past 5 years

80%+

offers each year to Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 Universities

10

places at international universities in the past 2 years

A Welcoming Community

Everyone who joins Canford becomes a member of our vibrant, welcoming community. All who are part of Canford are part of it for life, and our community extends beyond our pupils, staff, families and alumni to all we have links with through our community action projects living locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

The sense of giving and co-operative achievement is the pillar on which boarding school life is built.

38

pupils currently benefiting from 75% or more bursary support

73

community projects supported

8,844

hours given by pupils in the past year to UK community projects

1,100

hours given by staff in the past year to UK community projects

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We Are

What makes a Canfordian?

Our vision is to offer every pupil the chance to explore their talents, to express their personalities and views and to be the very best they can be. Powerful statements borne out through our pupil outcomes.

The Canford Impact

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Curiosity

Every pupil is encouraged to explore, with the coherence of a Canford education across both academic and co-curricular elements promoting lifelong personal development and self-understanding.

Ambitious Post

Humble Ambition

Pursuing goals without arrogance or complacency brings meaningful success.

We challenge members of our community to be energetic and resilient in pursuit of their goals but honest and grateful for fulfilment of them.

Inclusive Post

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Canford is welcoming to all regardless of socio-economic background, race, religion, physical ability, gender or sexuality.

Through our programmes we enhance and enrich experiences for all across our School who are able to express their individuality, excel in the global community and explore the rich history of our world.

Creative Post

A Place to Express

We want out pupils to challenge existing wisdom, to create, to share their passions, views and opinions.

Courageous Post

Courageous Attitude

Being principled and strong, yet reflective and tolerant, takes courage.

The People

Kerry

Sixth Form boarding pupil

Ben Vessey

Headmaster

Claire Vandvik

Admissions and House parent

Richard Redwood

Assistant Head (Safeguarding and Personal Development)

Abi

Sixth Form boarding pupil and former Head of School

Kacper Kazaniecki (L18)

OC and Machine Learning Engineer

Tara

Sixth Form boarding pupil and former Head of School

Hannah

Sixth Form day pupil

Janae

Sixth Form boarding pupil

Gianluca

Sixth Form day pupil

Sam J

Sixth Form boarding pupil

Rupert Talfourd-Cook (S17)

Old Canfordian

Eddie

Sixth Form pupil, former Head of School and England U19 Cricketer

Celia

Sixth Form day pupil and former Head of School

Ieuan Weir

Deputy Head Academic

Reverend Phil Jack

School Chaplain

Matthew (F22)

Former Head of School

Nathalie Elias

French Teacher

Lucas

Sixth Form day pupil

Chloe

Sixth Form day pupil

Laura

Canford's Artist in Residence 2023/2024

Toby

Shell (Year 9) boarding pupil

Joanna Jensen (W88)

OC, Entrepreneur and Business Founder

Ben Coward (C01)

Housemaster and Former Army Officer

Dominique Duc

Head Chef

Lynn Whitbread

Housekeeping

Charlie

Sixth Form boarding pupil

Elodie

Sixth Form boarding pupil

Clem

Fourth Form boarding pupil

Shay

Shell (Year 9) day pupil

Jennifer Plater

Acting Head of English, Rowing Coach, CCF 2nd Lieutenant and Old Canfordian

Will Moreland

Maths Teacher, Rowing coach, CCF Contingent Commander and Staff Common Room President

Anastasia Posner (nee Chitty) (B12)

Doctor and Former GB Rower

Stephanie Street Sylvestre (W95)

Actor and Leadership Coach

Chris Snell (C90)

OC, Director and Current Parent

Mike Doherty

Head of Careers and Higher Education

“The whole place fizzes with activity from dawn to dusk. With its first-rate teaching, stunning setting and innovative ideas, Canford is definitely at the top of its game.”

The Good Schools Guide

Read the Full Review

The Place

Canford School boy boarding - School House

Studland Beach Geography Trip — Studland Beach

Canford School - Moors Valley - mountain biking — Moors Valley mountain biking

Dorset coast Climbing - Canford pupil — Jurassic Coast