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Careers Planning and Outcomes

Canford has a reputation for academic excellence and our external results at A Level and GCSE consistently lead the way in the South West region.  Canford is proud to have been ranked No.1 in the area in the Sunday Times Parent Power report in recent years among independent co-educational senior schools for A Level results.  On average in the past three years, over 30% of all A Level grades have been at A* and over 65% at A*/A, while at GCSE nearly 30% of all examinations in the past three years have been graded 9 (A*+) and three quarters of all grades 9-7 (A*/A).

Such results have enabled our Upper Sixth leavers to move on to top universities on a wide variety of courses, with over 80% taking up places at Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 institutions each year.  45 places at Oxbridge and 38 places to Medical Schools plus scholarships to US universities, degree apprenticeships with major corporates and places at Music Conservatoires and Art Institutes are among leavers' choices in the past five years.  Our tailored careers support offers every individual pupil the chance to explore future pathways according to their own skills, interests and talents.

Canford Futures journey graphic
Model UN
Model UN

Model United Nations, part of Canford's Global Connections programme, has been popular at Canford for many years.

Read More about Model UN
Peer mentor
Peer Mentoring

Often young people prefer to talk to someone their own age about their concerns, offered through peer mentoring

Read More about Peer Mentoring
Unifrog
Unifrog

Unifrog offers pupils the chance to compare future education options and apply successfully.

Read More about Unifrog
Canford careers destinations graphic

Top 10 skills of 2025 - World Economic Forum

 

Analytical thinking and innovation

Active learning and learning strategies

Complex problem-solving

Critical thinking and analysis

Creativity, originality and analysis

Leadership and social influence

Technology use, monitoring and control

Technology design and programming

Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation

“Having the ability to conduct yourself in a confident, informed way is a very valuable skill. A positive interview can indeed shape your whole future”

Michael Doherty - Head of Careers

CareersConvention

44

Oxbridge offers in the past 5 years

80%+

Offers each year to Russell Group/Sunday Times Top 12 universities

54%

A Level A*/A Grades in 2024

10

Pupils to U.S. universities in past 2 years