We are delighted to share the latest national recognition for our education in a number of well-regarded industry guides. The Tatler Schools Guide reviews 300 of the finest prep and public schools in the country who, according to editor Tori Cadogan, “The selection process is rigorous: each year, the team shortlists 300 schools, travels across the country to tour them and receives candid answers to nearly 2,500 questionnaires before making the final selection.”
In the review Canford’s facilities are described as impressive: “In the last four years, two new boarding houses, plus a new library, outdoor education centre, an assembly hall and extended dining facilities were opened; and a university-style Sixth-Form college will be unveiled in 2025/26.”
There is also mention of the centenary celebrations in 2023 which “celebrated the treasured ‘Always a Canfordian’ ethos, as well as some of the highest exam results in its history.” As Headmaster Ben Vessey is quoted saying, “Canfordians really value what they get, understand how important community is and lead with a sense of graciousness.”
There is also praise for Canford’s award winning Community Action work, where “More than 8,000 hours of partnership are given by pupils and staff to the local community, including to a formerly failing high school, renamed The Bourne Academy, which is fully sponsored by Canford.”
Thank you Tori Cadogan, Education Editor and the Tatler team for highlighting just a few of the aspects of Canford life that makes the school so special. Read the full review here:
CANFORD
Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD
Head: Ben Vessey, since 2013; previously senior deputy head of Christ's Hospital
Pupils: 662 Day: 151 boys, 103 girls. Boarding: 231 boys, 177 girls
Bursaries: 13% of pupils, up to 100% +
Alumni: The Earl of Shaftesbury, ASOS co-founder Nick Robertson, Child's Farm founder Joanna Jensen
In 1994, a 3,000 year-old Assyrian carving discovered in Canford’s tuck shop was sold for £7.7 million at auction; and thanks to this fortuitous find, an impressive sports hall and all-singing, all-dancing theatre are still thriving at the school. In the last four years, two new boarding houses, plus a new library, outdoor education centre, an assembly hall and extended dining facilities were also opened; and a university-style Sixth-form college will be unveiled in 2025/2026. In 2023, the school marked its centenary with events that celebrated the treasured ‘Always a Canfordian’ ethos, as well as some of the highest exam results in its history. (This saw 99 per cent of A-level papers graded A*-C, and an impressive 66 per cent A*-A.) Most pupils live within a 90-minute drive – although three per cent of boarders are international. More than 8,000 hours of partnership are given by pupils and staff to the local community, including to a formerly failing high school, renamed The Bourne Academy, which is fully sponsored by Canford. While head Ben Vessey says it’s impossible to say what makes a typical Canfordian, he adds that they ‘really value what they get, understand how important community is and lead with a sense of graciousness.
2024 Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education
As we begin the start of the new school year, we were also delighted to learn that we had been chosen as finalists in the 'Equity, diversity and inclusion' category of the 2024 Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education. We are proud to be recognised as a school that makes a genuine impact in ensuring every member of our community feels included, represented and celebrated.
The Week Best of the Best 2024 - contender for Best School for Academic Results and for Community Partnerships
We were very proud to be rated among the Best Independent Schools in the country for our Academic Results and for our Community Partnerships. Read more at The Week Independent Schools Guide, Autumn/Winter 2024 | The Week UK