About the school
Canford School is an independent boarding and day school in Wimborne, Dorset, with 13+ entry into Year 9 and a sixth form. The school says pupils join at 13+ from around 50 different schools, including schools across the UK and international locations.
| School type | Independent (fee-paying) · Co-educational |
|---|---|
| Age range | 13-18 |
| Pupils on roll | approx. 650 |
| Founded | 1923 |
| Headteacher | Chris Wheeler |
| Sixth form | Yes |
📅 Open days: For 13+ entry, the page says an Open Morning is the first step if your child is in Year 4 or below, and that families can attend one of the open mornings in either Spring or Autumn in Year 5.
Entrance exam
| Exam board / format | Bespoke test |
|---|---|
| Delivery | To be confirmed |
📄 Free Canford School practice papers (PDF)
Admissions & catchment
| Catchment | Open to all — no catchment requirement |
|---|---|
| Detail | The page says pupils join from around 50 different schools and arrive from schools across the UK and from international locations. |
Key dates
| Registration opens | To be confirmed |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | 31 Oct 2027 |
| Typical exam date | To be confirmed |
For 2028 entry, registration by the end of July in Year 5 allows inclusion in the Year 6 assessment process in January/February of Year 6, with outcomes at Easter. Registration by the end of July in Year 6 allows inclusion in the Year 7 assessment process in January/February of Year 7, with outcomes at Easter. If those rounds are missed, candidates can still register by 31 October in Year 8 for Year 8 entrance tests, or by 1 December in Year 8 for academic scholarships; scholarship applications
More schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Bournemouth Collegiate School — Format to confirm
- Bournemouth School — Bespoke test
- Bournemouth School for Girls — Format to confirm
- Kings Bournemouth — Format to confirm
- Parkstone Grammar School — GL Assessment
- Poole Grammar School — Format to confirm