Main School News

In the 21^st century the world of work is ever changing, as are the pressures on our personal lives and it is vital that we equip our pupils with the skills and confidence to give them the best possible chance of making the right choices so they can find success and fulfilment in whatever fields they choose. 

As part our Community Action programme, on 19^th December eighteen children and staff from Linwood School enjoyed a Christmas party complete with a visit from Santa.

Jazz-age Chicago arrived on the Layard stage for this year's musical

The annual Christmas party for the children from City Reach in Southampton was once again a fun filled, festive day enjoyed by the community of Northam and Canford pupils alike.  

On Thursday 7 November, 14 Canford pupils with an interest in finding out more about career options in Engineering attended the Careers in Engineering evening held at Curtiss-Wright Aviation Engineering near Bournemouth Airport.

Tony Diprose appointed Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing from January 2020

The annual online fundraising auction in aid of the Martin Marriott Foundation for transformational bursaries at Canford is now LIVE!

We are thrilled to announce that Canford has been shortlisted for Senior School of the Year in the forthcoming Times Educational Supplement (TES) Awards 2020.

Canford celebrated Bonfire Night with two events, both of which included some fantastic fireworks to  light up the night sky above Wimborne Minster.

The end of the first half term at Canford closed with the much anticipated Canford Festival of Ideas. The theme for this year’s festival was ‘Identity and Diversity’

During the October half term, the Canford 1st XI Girls’ Hockey Squad travelled to Barcelona for an eagerly anticipated five day mid-season tour.

Half term saw the 1^st XV squad head back to Dublin to re-trace the steps of 2016’s cohort. With two fixtures scheduled over 5 days and 26 boys travelling it was going to be a good chance to keep the excellent momentum going that had been built up this season.

As part of careers preparation for pupils applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine, the careers department and Head of Biology have been running a series of mock interview training sessions.

Fifteen Year 10 and Year 12 Canford artists have contributed to a wonderful exhibition of art at Wimborne Minster.

On the first Friday of October Half Term, 44 Shells and five teachers headed off to the sunnier climes of the Amalfi Coast.

This term’s Whole Day Enterprises once again involved a busy mix of visitors to Canford and pupils going offsite spending an entire day, or the whole weekend, engaged in group challenges, outdoor activity and community action work. 

46 Fifth Form pupils and six staff embarked on the annual Battlefields Trip, visiting the battlefields of Ypres in Belgium and the Somme in France from the 27^th to 30^th October.

During the October half term, twenty nine Canfordians visited Provence to immerse themselves in the French way of life and the country’s culture.

This year’s Sir Stueart Pringle Trophy competition took place over the weekend of 5-6 October.  This annual national competition at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone is the premier inter-schools’ cadet event with marine cadets from schools across the UK.

Canford celebrated Libraries Week across the school.

Canford pupils and staff celebrated the day with ‘Pop Up Poetry’, with staff and pupils ‘popping up’ in parts of the school reading their favourite poems

Canford is celebrating winning the Rifles Cup 2019 in its first year of entering this prestigious Army competition held over two days, 20-22 September, at Longmoor Camp. 

Canford pupils reflect on their weekend spent on the Isle of Wight with children involved in the City Reach programme.

Canford celebrate Chinese Autumn Festival in style!

During the summer break, Fifth Form and Lower Sixth biologists, accompanied by Canford staff, enjoyed a fascinating trip to the Red Sea on a diving expedition.

There was great excitement in both London and Dorset on Monday evening, 9^th September, as Canford took home the prestigious ‘Public School of the Year’ trophy at the annual Tatler Schools Awards

Following their excellent A Level results, the class of 2019 leavers are now looking forward to the next stage of their education.

Upper Sixth pupils successfully complete their DofE Gold Expedition 

Canford pupils are celebrating outstanding success in this year’s GCSE results, once again hugely outperforming the national picture.

Over the summer, Canford pupils have travelled to India, Argentina and Ghana as part of the Canford Partnership projects.

In a year where the proportion of students receiving top grades was the lowest seen since 2007, Canford pupils have once again bucked the trend with excellent results at both A Level and Pre-U. 

This summer has seen Canfordians past and present achieving exceptional top level success in their sport. 

This year’s Junior Play, ‘Love and Information’ by British playwright Carys Churchill

As part of Canford’s successful ongoing sponsorship of local state school, The Bourne Academy, both schools have enjoyed several opportunities to work together this term

Speech Day and prizegiving were held on a glorious sunny day at Canford on Friday 28^th June, marking the end of the academic year.  

Each year the final week of the Summer Term at Canford is devoted to a variety of co-curricular, fun, off piste activities offering pupils the chance to learn new skills, known as ‘Spirit of Place.’

This year, in celebration of 50 years’ of the first Moon landing in 1969, the Canford week was appropriately renamed ‘Spirit of Space’ and was packed with exciting challenges across departments. 

The second Canford Educational Partnership Day was held on Friday 14^th June. It also offered the opportunity to explore the scope of life beyond school and the variety of career options open to pupils today, and to prepare for the potential career paths of the future.

Young film maker, William Walters, currently in the Fifth Form at Canford School, has received widespread acclaim at the premiére of his film ‘Downlands’ at the Chalke Valley History Festival in Wiltshire on Monday 24^th June.

Children from the inner city community of Northam, Southampton, came to Canford over the weekend of 15^th-16^th June for the annual, fun filled activity camp.

Congratulations to Isabella Woodward, current Lower Sixth pupil, on her achievement as a prizewinner in this year’s essay competition from Newnham College, Cambridge.

A number of this year’s Upper Sixth musicians at Canford are celebrating news that they will be continuing their music careers at centres of excellence across the country.  

Want to know what it’s really like to be a boarder?   Or what the value is of studying Latin?   Or find out which staff have hidden talents?  Then you need to tune in to ‘This Canford Life’ – Canford’s brand new podcast. 

Many congratulations to Lower Sixth Canfordian Sophie Bearblock who was Highly Commended by the judges in this year’s prestigious World Today writing competition in conjunction with the Financial Times.

The Canford Boat Club celebrated another great year at its annual House Regatta and Dinner on Saturday 8^th June. 

An afternoon of celebration marking 20 years since the Layard Theatre opened in May 1999.

In an increasingly competitive market, it is wonderful to see so many of our Upper Sixth gaining firm offers to their chosen universities, the vast majority among the top institutions in the country.

Many congratulations to all our pupils who took up this year’s Ten Tors Challenge.  Canford entered a record four teams of six pupils in the 2019 competition, two Fourth Form teams completing the 35 mile challenge, and two Lower Sixth completing the 45 miles event. 

Our annual OC London Drinks Party was hosted at RSA House on Thursday 9^th May. 

This year’s annual confirmation service was held in Canford Magna Parish Church on Saturday 4^th May and was once again a wonderful, memorable occasion.

Twenty two senior rowers and five staff travelled to the stunning setting of Lago D’Orta in Italy for another very successful training camp over the Easter holidays.

We did it!  Canford’s first ever Colour Run took place on Sunday 28^th April and it was an outstanding success.

Five Canfordians undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award completed a 4 day, 3 night practice expedition in South and Central Wales over the Easter weekend.

The History Department hosted the third annual Keith Hay Dinner on 25th March, once again in splendid style in the Long Gallery and Old Library. 

Many congratulations to Fourth Former Lucy Hancock, who has been awarded the Edie Marr prize in the region from the ABRSM for her Grade 6 flute exam.

This year’s senior play was Mike Bartlett’s ‘Earthquakes in London’, a challenging snapshot of the complexities of living within a time of globalisation and technology, neatly condensed into five acts.

The showcase concert in the Canford music calendar took place on Sunday 24^th March in the prestigious London concert venue, St John’s Smith Square.

Canford’s intrepid race engineers took part in this year’s Land Rover 4x4 in Schools competition and were delighted to reach the national finals.

Canford’s Easter Term always finishes with a flourish including the traditional CCF Biennial Inspection and Parade.

The theme of this year’s Careers Symposium, held on Friday 22^nd March, was 'Create Your Own Path'

Come and find out more about our award winning education at our next Open Day on Saturday 27th April.

Canford School CCF has been embarking for a number of years on a cross-country skiing expedition to Norway on what is described by all who go, as the toughest and the best trip the school offers.

Post half term sport at Canford began in fine style with our senior girls’ hockey side winning the U18 Tier 2 National finals at the Olympic Park.

With the strong focus on literacy within the Canford curriculum, World Book Day was an opportunity to further highlight this to the school community. 

Pupils develop interview techniques – as interviewers

Two Shell pupils, Robbie Hemmings and Conor Cherrington, are celebrating high level success at the recent Dorset Counties swimming championships

On February 14th, Canford’s Chamber Choir travelled to Oxford University to sing a joint service of Eucharist with Oriel College Chapel Choir. 

This Easter and Summer, Canford will once again be running its popular sports courses.

Over 50 pupils from both Canford and other local schools explore the exciting options open to them on a Gap Year at an event in Long Gallery on Thursday 7th February.

Sixth Formers at Canford are studying the travel and leisure industry and recently enjoyed meeting several experts from two ends of the business spectrum. 

Four OCs who achieved their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold last year received their awards at St James’ Palace from HRH the Earl of Wessex

As part of Canford’s International programme, pupils joined one fifth of the world’s population in celebrating Chinese New Year in fine style over two days with a number of events aimed at offering the opportunity to develop a wider appreciation of Chinese culture. 

Each year we see pupils produce excellence in written skills through both internal and external essay writing. 

This year’s House Drama Festival was another showcase of Canford pupil talent. 

Canford School Concert Hall, Friday 8th February 2019, 7.30 pm

As part of our Sixth Form enrichment programme, we are delighted to be welcoming to Canford once again a wide range of thought provoking external speakers this term to share their experiences.

Fifth Form Canfordian Tom Prest, named as Hampshire's Under 15 Cricketer of the Year.

The Canford production of Les Misérables

The work with the model town has involved pupils and staff helping to improve their facilities, principally the water control system and the graphical visitor interface at this popular local attraction.

As we start the final week of term at Canford, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Canford is delighted to announce that it has been selected as Independent Boarding School of the Year 2018. 

19 Canfordians took part in the 4th annual Clayesmore Model UN conference

A-level Philosophy and Theology pupils attended the black tie event to hear Rev. Jervis’ insightful talk on epistemology, entitled ‘Sense, Common-sense, Nonsense and Making Sense’. 

12 Upper Sixth pupils applying for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry attended a practice Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) session in John o’ Gaunts. 

A group of Upper Sixth Canfordians from the Engineering Society visited the RNLI in Poole. 

Canford is delighted to have been shortlisted for two national awards relating to its community action work at home and abroad. 

Canford Upper Sixth Artists thrilled to exhibit Pre-U work in London.

On Sunday 11^th November 2018, the Canford Community joined with millions throughout the country to honour those who gave their lives in the defence of freedom during times of conflict.

47 Fifth Year pupils and five staff marked the centenary of the end of the First World War by visiting battlefields in Belgium and France

5th and L6th trip of a lifetime to Singapore and Malaysia

This year's team came 7th overall 

Canford shortlisted in two categories in the Independent School Parent magazine’s inaugural Independent Schools of the Year 2018 awards.

A varied, challenging and rewarding Whole Day Enterprises for Canfordians involving many members of the wider community. 

The library has been a busy place during the first half of term with involvement in a number of national events. 

The evening was an opportunity to celebrate our pupils cultures and diversity. 

Leading military historian Dr Spencer Jones spent three days in the school as Historian-in-Residence

Canford’s talented pupil artists are holding an exhibition of their Pre-U work at a London gallery.

One of the highlights of the year is an activity weekend. One pupil wrote about his experience of the recent Northam Isle of Wight trip

Three Canford pupils are celebrating selection for the England Hockey National Age Group Squads (NAGS) 

Congratulations to Upper Sixth artist Lily Lloyd who has been selected as one of three young artists to be a Bursary Artist at the b-side Art Festival

1 in 5 of all reformed grades at the top 9 level 

Consistent academic excellence at Canford brings another year of high academic achievement at A Level 

As part of a campaign to generate support for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) charity, His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex visited Canford on 13th and 14th June 2018.

A bronze medal and third best U16 School hockey team in the country.

Our first Educational Partnership Day offered a varied and challenging programme of activities which sparked discussion and reflection on the ways we think and learn.  

Pupils, staff, families and the wider Canford community enjoyed the annual House Regatta on Saturday 9th June, enjoying the action alongside the Pimm’s and cream teas to the sound of the Poole Borough Band.

Sixth Formers from Canford have been working with a local community visitor attraction to develop its ongoing sustainability project.

The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) was launched on Armed Forces Day in June 2012 by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister with the aim to deliver 100 new cadet units in English state-funded schools by September 2015.

Many congratulations to Upper Sixth pupil Anna van Wingerden, who has been awarded a place on the Accenture Horizons Scheme starting in September 2018.

This year's Ten Tors 2018 challenge over the weekend of 11 - 13 May was a resounding success all round for Canford. 

A total of 138 Canfordians applied to universities at home and abroad this year and are celebrating receiving 537 offers, 80% of which are from Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 institutions and represent nearly 4 offers per pupil.  

Congratulations to Upper Sixth Canford pupil Poppy Pinner awarded a highly sought after degree apprenticeship with Goldman Sachs.

U14 Shell Hockey girls enjoyed a fantastic and memorable tour to Holland over the Easter holidays.

Canford athletes joined with pupils from King's Canterbury for a great experience of rowing and sculling during the Easter holidays. 

This year's major music concert was performed in the wonderful surroundings of Christchurch Priory. 

Pupils from Bournemouth schools celebrate graduation from our Shine programme. 

For the first time in Canford history, the U16 girls made it through to the National finals in both Hockey and Netball.

15 mile walk in the name of the City Reach charity  

This year’s senior play was Andersen’s English, written by Irish playwright Sebastian Barry and staged in the Layard Theatre on three consecutive nights at the end of the Easter Term.

"It was impressive to see our pupils participating with such enthusiasm and commitment in this exciting inter-schools competition..."

Another excellent evening for A Level History pupils at the Keith Hay Dinner and Debate

The theme of this year’s Careers Symposium was 'Getting Connected'

“An incredible Annual Inspection today at Canford.  It was beautifully choreographed from start to finish with the sort of attention to detail that was a joy to behold.”

Canford House Art competition followed the RSPB initiative to ‘Save the Swifts’ 

Canford pupils and staff have been working hard on environmental projects this term to raise awareness of recycling and to reduce waste.

Cross-country skiing, arctic survival skills and a 3 day expedition 

Spanish IGSE Fifth Form pupils enjoyed a culturally enriching evening at a tapas restaurant in Bournemouth 

The acclaimed expert musicians visited for a fourth consecutive year

House Debating Final 2018

SW Regional Finals of Jaguar Land Rover 4 x 4 Schools Technology Challenge 2018 

Government League Tables - A note of caution

National Youth Choir selection the latest Canford Music Success

Accelerated Reader Programme for Shells launched with the 'Six Nations' reading competition

Swim Bournemouth will be working in association with Canford School to deliver its junior and senior swim programmes  

Enjoy our digital Christmas card, with just some of the highlights from the past year!    

Spectacular Canford School Musical, Cabaret performed to sell out audience over four nights

Canford School hosted children from inner city Southampton for an afternoon of festive fun!  

Canford Library 12 Books of Christmas Advent Calendar

Upper Sixth deliver their Expedition final presentations

Highly Commended Awards at Model UN 2017

Last 8 in the country after win at West finals   

Two stunning concerts to start the 2018 series  

Both novices and experienced players enjoyed a FOCS Lacrosse morning

Gala Dinner with 1930s theme

Fifth Form History students enjoyed the annual trip to the Battlefields of World War One

We are very proud to have been shortlisted for the TES Independent/State partnership  

Canfordians immersed themselves in the French culture and language on a half term break in Southern France

This year's Trafalgar Night dinner took place on Tuesday 17th October

On Saturday 18th November there will be an exclusive performance in the Layard from acclaimed dance company Motionhouse

A range of outdoor activities and community projects across the school

Pupils and staff celebrated all things literary

Nine of our CCF Marines took part in the most prestigious event in the Marine CCF calendar

Imi was presented with the award for 'Independent Event Organiser'.

A fantastic blend of talent and enthusiasm was seen by all Houses.  

Natasha Treagust awarded joint second prize in a Cambridge University linguistics essay competition 

Canfordians took a trip to the Isle of Wight with the City Reach group.

We are delighted to have been chosen as a finalist in these prestigious national awards

A Canford crew competed in the first international F24 race of the new academic year

Canford's careers department has been selected as a runner up in The Week's 'Best of the Best' awards

The Music Department at Canford is celebrating the achievements of a recent leaver, OC Giselle Dugdale.

It has been a busy couple of months for Canford Sport!

Seven pupils trekked across Koh Chang for their DofE Gold Award  

Another year of high achievement at GCSE/IGCSE

The school community is shocked and saddened by the death of former pupil Lottie Fullerton

Strong A Level and Pre-U Results lead to impressive University entrance success

OC Rupert Talfourd Cook spoke at the BBC service

The Canford Community gathered together for the annual Speech Day celebrations.

This year's Post GCSE Programme centered around Cultural Encounters

22 Fourth Formers visited the exciting festival

The popular club will reopen its doors in September

Children from the City Reach Project joined us for a weekend of camping fun

Give Real Tennis or Squash a go at our junior drop-in morning!

Pupils from local primary schools joined us for a day of sport

Canfordians competed fiercely in the annual House Regatta

Canford joins project highlighting the importance of a musical education

A fine season for Canford Rugby ends with seven Bath Academy selections

40 Canfordians returned to Canford to celebrate 30 years since leaving

Pupils set a school record stand of 287 for the second wicket against Bryanston

To raise money for their forthcoming school partnership trip to India, Lower Sixth Formers curated an art exhibition.

Canford is delighted to welcome Mid Dorset and North Poole election candidates

? We are very proud of all our pupils gaining offers for university courses  

Canfordians visited Swanage Observatory to see the solar system, star clusters, galaxies and meteor showers.

13 Canford pupils took part in the 35 mile challenge

Four day specialist sport or multi sports academies over the summer break

Twenty six pupils confirmed in the annual service

A fantastic evening of music at the famous cathedral

The Easter holidays saw a very successful training camp for the Boat Club in Lago d’Orta, Italy  

All Six Canford Hockey Teams County Champions plus England representation!

Distinctions for all three Upper Sixth pupils who took the challenging ABRSM diploma

The tenth anniversary of our link with our host club Roomburg from Leiden

Thirty Fourth Form pupils headed to Snowdonia for the annual CCF Expedition

A celebration of all things historical for those students studying History in the Sixth Form

Pupils and their families, staff and members of the wider Canford community gather for a wonderful musical evening

Pupils from Bournemouth schools graduated our SHINE programme

Pupils took to the stage for this year's Senior play

Over 80 Old Canfordians and Parents took part in the annual event

Pupils came away with three awards from annual conference

Canfordians walk 18 miles to raise money for charity

Canford’s former Head of Art and current Housemaster Dylan Lloyd is proudly exhibiting a selection of his work at the BADA fair 

Pupils were challenged to create art through the medium of baking!

Canford were joined by five local prep schools for our annual Singing Festival

Canford Sixth Formers studying A Level Politics took part in the 'Congress to Campus' conference at Wellington College   

Pupils took to the stage for a fantastic evening of Jazz

31 pupils experienced an Arctic expedition

Canford is celebrating another national accolade for its academic results.  

Canford artist Jay Jones is displaying her latest work in the Coldstream Gallery.

Canfordians celebrated National Libraries Day on Saturday 4th February 2017 with ‘Speedy Reads’.

Many congratulations to Upper Sixth former Rebecca Alcaraz who has won a place in the regional finals of the prestigious Roche Art ARTiculation competition 2017.

Canfordians develop a wide and varied range of talents, which makes them interesting and engaging young people as individuals and results in a rich and diverse school community.   One such pupil is Shell Digby Shepherd.