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Application Process

The main points for entry to Canford are at 13+ and 16+.  There is also the possibility of 14+ entry if space is available and if test results and the school report indicate that a pupil is able to embark successfully on a two-year GCSE/IGCSE programme.  The first step is to visit the school.   

You are welcome to contact the Admissions Office to arrange an appointment to meet the Headmaster and tour the school with a pupil on a visit which lasts approximately two hours. Alternatively you can visit us on an Open Day.  Our Open Days are held twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, and offer the chance to visit all the houses, meet pupils and staff and have lunch at the school.

Terms and Conditions

Please read Canford's Terms and Conditions carefully.

Terms and Conditions

Entry Outline

13+ ENTRY

16+ ENTRY
VISIT AND REGISTRATION

After visiting the school, the submission of a completed registration form and fee secures a place on our Admissions List, known as the 'Headmaster's List'.  It is advisable to register for Canford as early as possible.
INTRODUCTION

Around 30 pupils each year join Canford in the Sixth Form from a wide range of backgrounds, both educationally and geographically.  After visiting the school, the submission of a completed registration form is required by mid-October for entry the following September. 
HEADMASTER'S LIST PRE-ASSESSMENT

We will be in touch ahead of time to ask parents of registered children to confirm that they wish to sit the ISEB test. This is sat at prep schools (or at Canford for those not at a prep school)  Those that meet the required standard are invited to Canford for a pre-assessment day in Year 6 or Year 7.  This consists of a mixture of activities, tests and informal interviews (please see graphic below for possible pre-assessment entry options).
TIMESCALE

Applicants are invited to the school early in November for tests, interviews and a tour of the school. Applicants from overseas may take these tests at their school. 
OFFERS OF PLACES

The number of places available by this route will vary from year to year but over recent years about 65% of those who attended Headmaster's List assessments were later offered conditional places.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Places are offered subject to candidates' achieving a minimum of 42 grade points on the best seven GCSEs including English and Maths.  

Normally we would expect at least a grade 7 (or an A grade) in each subject to be studied in the Lower Sixth and at least a 6 (or a B grade) in English and Maths.
LATE AVAILABILITY

The door is seldom closed, so if you are not offered a place immediately, it does not mean that one won't become available later on.  The Registrar is happy to advise you on the current position at any stage.
LATE AVAILABILITY

Late places sometimes become available.


 

13+ Pre-Assessment Options

* FOR 2021 ENTRY, APPLICANTS NEED TO HAVE TAKEN THE ISEB COMMON PRE-TEST BY THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Option A: Thursday 15th November 2018

Option B: Saturday 15th June 2019

Option C: Friday 15th November 2019

Option D: Tuesday 28th April 2020 (Now extended to Wednesday 30th September 2020 due to Covid-19)

Overseas Entry

Canford welcomes applications from overseas families.  As a 7 day a week boarding school, we are well equipped to cater for the needs of pupils whose parents live abroad, with a full programme of evening and weekend activities offered.    Currently around 10.5% of pupils are resident abroad, which includes 6.5% who are non-native English speakers.

Chinese Student Applications and Enquiries

All enquiries from students or agents relating to Chinese students in mainland China should be directed through the school's representative for China, BE education http://en.be.co/ at the email address beschoolcontact@be.co 

EAL policy in Traditional Chinese

EAL policy in Simplified Chinese

Scholarships

We offer scholarships for outstanding talent at both 13+ and Sixth Form entry.   Please visit our Scholarships page for further information.

 

House Preference

While it is not essential to choose a House, parents are welcome to express one or two preference(s) at any stage, and we will follow these where space allows.  All the Houses are run along very similar lines, however.

Parents are invited to meet Housemasters and Housemistresses during Year 7 and there are various social events organised to ensure that you and your child can become more familiar with the House before they start at Canford.

House Preference Form

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