Canford School

The Canford prospectus is superb, of course nothing beats a visit, but the details available here and online are very good. Of particular note is the guide for new pupils, written by pupils. Canford is a relatively new school, founded only in 1923, and yet it has had an interesting history. Most fortunate was the discovery of an Assyrian relief on the wall of the tuck shop in 1992. It had been thought to be a copy but when recognised as an original it was sold at Christies for over 7 million pounds. The proceeds have enriched the school with scholarships, a theatre and a fantastic sports centre. Set in over 300 acres of land Canford was once a country house known as Canford Manor. The boarding houses are located in easy reach of the main school buildings and services are held weekly in the Norman church within the grounds. Services are compulsory and the school has a strong Christian foundation although all faiths are welcome at Canford. Of the 600 pupils 70% board in seven houses, each with around 65 children across the age ranges of 13-18. Each housemistress or master is resident, along with a matron. There is also at least one resident tutor. The school makes a good effort to ensure that the houses are as much of a home from home as possible.

The academic results at Canford are very good and the pupil/ teacher ratio is small, ensuring that your child has the very best attention and teaching. On the sporting front, rugby, rowing, hockey, netball, golf and sailing are all on offer. Team games are particularly encouraged. Extracurricular clubs offer everything from bell-ringing to girls' rugby and pottery, as well as the more conventional CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. There are quite a few very good schools to choose from in the South West, Canford is up with the very best.

Extract taken from Cradles of success: Britain's traditional Public Schools by Mario Di Monaco