Academic Life at Canford

AC A D E M I C L I F E AT

CANFORD

AC ADEMIC LIFE AT C ANFORD

“It is a real privilege for us, as teachers, to be a catalyst for our pupils’ learning, to assist them in working collaboratively in the pursuit of academic excellence, motivated by intellectual curiosity and a passion for knowledge.”

DEPUTY HEAD AC ADEMIC

Our aim is to provide pupils with a true love of learning. We offer a dynamic, forward thinking academic curriculum which includes a unique enrichment programme for all pupils which challenges them to think well beyond the normal requirements of subject study.

True academic development demands detail as well as the big idea. In their journey towards intellectual maturity, the excitement of forging one’s own path through previously unexplored territory may be one of the most compelling times of a young person’s academic life.

That academic journey starts when pupils enter the school, arriving from many different backgrounds into an unfamiliar environment. It is through engaging with the familiar world of the classroom that many pupils first find their feet – and will often have their first experience of falling in love with learning, whether in the context of a specific subject, or through one of the many cross-curricular projects which are central to our Shell academic programme.

Our standards are high and we encourage every pupil towards achieving their very best. We have an excellent record of high achievement in external examination results at both GCSE and A Level and fully recognise the importance of these tickets to the next stage of education and the world of work. Yet our ultimate ambition remains for academic learning to be much more than simply a transactional, exam focused process. We aim to develop the attitudes, habits and behaviours towards a love of learning which in turn leads to engagement, enthusiasm and a passion for academic endeavour to last a lifetime.

PUPIL OUTCOMES

AC ADEMIC AIMS • Develop passion, engagement and enthusiasm for academic study in all pupils • Develop pupil leadership and excellent attitudes, habits and behaviours towards learning • Develop pupil understanding of the process of learning • Develop academic learning as much more than simply a transactional, exam focused exercise

WHY C ANFORD? • A deserved reputation for high academic achievement - among the top co-educational boarding schools in the country • Strength and depth across both arts and sciences, leading to successful university and college application outcomes • Unique academic enrichment programmes developed by our staff for all pupils with enquiring minds • Annual appraisals for scholars, three weekly assessments and weekly 1-1 progress meetings with tutors keep pupils on track • The opportunity to be a leader in your field, inspire others and take your specialism to the highest levels

EXAM RESULTS

AFTER C ANFORD

A LEVEL/PRE-U HIGHLIGHTS

Over 95% of Canfordians move on to university

• 20% A*, 53% A*/A, 80% A*/B average in past 5 years

to study a wide range of subjects. At least 80% of applicants receive at least one offer from Russell Group/Top 12/US Ivy League universities each year.

IN 2018 ...

Canford is a SAT testing centre for US university

• 43 pupils gained straight A*/As; 21 pupils at

entrance, with recent offers, some with scholarships,

least 2 A*s • Over 60% of all Pre-U grades at Distinction

to California, Colorado, Columbia, Michigan, Princeton, Stanford and Texas.

level; D1s in Spanish and Art • 100% of all Further Mathematics and Music entries A*/A • 3 in 5 of all Economics, Computing, Mathematics and Chemistry entries A*/A

OXBRIDGE 90 pupils have been offered places at Oxbridge in the past decade.

IGCSE/GCSE HIGHLIGHTS

MEDIC AL SCHOOLS

20% A*39% A*, 72% A*/A, 92% A*/B average in past 5 years

at medical schools. In the past 10 years, 120 pupils have

IN 2018 ...

• 1 in 5 of all reformed subjects at grade 9 • 34 pupils with a clean sweep of ten A*/A/9-7 grades; 70 pupils gained at least eight • Over half of all Chemistry papers graded A* • Over 70% of Music, Religious Studies and Latin papers graded 9-8 • 41 papers graded 9 in Mathematics

Canford has an excellent record gaining offers of places applied and over 80% have received offers.

THE CURRICULUM

SHELLS In the first year the curriculum is very broad. All pupils follow the same basic programme, which comprises all the subjects offered at GCSE as well as our own course in ICT and computing which includes elements of Microsoft Office and basic coding. There is a choice in the curriculum between German and Spanish, made by pupils after a short taster course in the two languages.

FOURTH & FIFTH FORM All pupils study for GCSEs or IGCSEs. Most take ten subjects in total and can choose seven options in addition to the core subjects English, Maths and PES (Philosophy, Ethics and Spirituality). We encourage a degree of breadth, requiring at least two single sciences and one foreign language. English is examined in both language and literature, so that most pupils gain 10 GCSE or IGCSE grades.

SIXTH FORM

PUPIL PROFILE

At Canford, the excitement of A level teaching remains undimmed and we believe that there are huge challenges in mastering the content of any of the A levels we offer.

It would not help many of our pupils, we feel, to study the six subjects (including English, Maths and a foreign language) required by the International Baccalaureate. We believe that there is ample scope at GCSE level for pupils to test their ability in a wide range of subjects. That said, there are elements of the IB programme which we like and have adapted these into our Sixth Form curriculum. The IB’s extended essay has led to the introduction of Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) for interested Lower Sixth. The Theory of Knowledge component has been threaded throughout Canford’s unique General Studies programme, called Connections, giving pupils the chance to place into a wider context the knowledge they gain through subject lessons.

By using the Cambridge Pre-U where appropriate (currently in Art and Modern Languages) alongside A levels we believe we have a modern curriculum with the most flexible combination.

IMOGEN GALLEGO HISTORIAN, WRITER, LINGUIST I have enjoyed the discursive nature of my A Level subjects - History, English, and Spanish - as they suit my personality and keep lessons lively and interesting. Taking part in the Baynham Essay and the New College of Humanities London history essay competitions plus the Sixth Form weekly connections lectures have also enhanced my overall academic learning by exposing me to a wide variety of different and innovative ideas which will be helpful for my Cambridge university application to read History. Canford has helped me to plan for my future by giving me key skills as well as a solid set of grades.

A CROSS-CURRICULAR APPROACH

CRITICAL THINKING

The subjects you study do not exist in isolation. All

INDEPENDENT LEARNING

are connected, both to a wider world and to each other and part of our mission is to promote this

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

CROSS-CURRICULAR

SELF-REFLECTION

COMPETENCIES

cross-curricular learning as much as possible.

Learning across subjects helps to develop a wide range of skills. The Shell projects have been designed to foster and develop the eight Canford Cross-curricular Competencies: • Literacy •

Communication skills

•

Organisation, research and planning

•

Team work

•

Critical thinking

•

Independent Learning

•

Self-Reflection

•

Global Awareness

LITERACY

GLOBAL AWARENESS

ORGANISATION, RESEARCH AND PLANNING

TEAM WORK

LITERACY

We are committed to searching for new and effective

The Shell curriculum has Literacy as one of its core

ways to keep our pupils’ minds open to the magic of

strands, using the Accelerated Reader programme, and

the written word, whether produced by themselves or

as pupils move through the school there are varied

others.

opportunities to develop their written and presentation skills. Lower Sixth pupils participate in the Baynham

It’s hard not to feel that we are battling against the

Essay and CP Snow competitions, researching and

tide of social and technological change, but as Kofi

writing on a topic of their own choice and in the Upper

Annan says: ‘Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope,

Sixth, members of The Heretics Society write excellent

something that is tragically unavailable to millions but

papers to present as a stimulus to discussion. In a new

wholly accessible to them, and something which they

online academic blog there are writings from pupils and

ignore at their peril.’

staff - from essay competitions to presentation papers.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

AT C ANFORD We see exam results as vital tickets to the next stage of education. At the same time, we view education as about fostering a real love of learning, with results achieved within a culturally enriching intellectual environment. We achieve this via initiatives such as: • A unique programme of cross-curricular festivals, events and visiting lecturers to develop enquiring minds, encourage debate and to provoke creative thought • Post GCSE programmes to challenge and excite after the rigours of exams • Departmental and cross-curricular societies for all year groups • Extended Project Qualifications in Lower Sixth • Annual cultural theme weeks - Festival of Ideas

FURTHER AFIELD

PUPIL PROFILE

At Canford, every pupil is entitled to an enriching experience of education, linking into their personal passions and interests. Intellectual enrichment begins in the classroom but extends well beyond it. The benefits are not just subject specific, but develop a much wider range of skills of collaboration, team work, organisation and leadership.

A school trip can be a very memorable part of a pupil’s school days - recent trips include the Physics trip to the Belgium Space Centre, Geography trip to Bay of Naples, Battlefields trip and a cross-curricular exchange to Provence.

TOBY BISHOP DESIGNER, SCIENTIST, ARMY CADET It is so hard to fully encompass how much Canford has developed me as a person.

The Festival of Ideas includes a wide range of fascinating talks and while I plan to read sciences at university, my study of History has also stretched my writing and research skills in a very positive way. Away from the classroom, the physical challenge of the CCF with mountain walks, camouflage and blank rifle shooting is a vastly different and exciting aspect to life here which has shaped who I am and has certainly given me more confidence in my overall abilities.

Biology Book Club

L A N D ROV E R 4 X 4

{ Trips } I C H T H YA N S

S M AC

Heretics

POLITICOS Global Forum

CONFERENCES D E B AT I N G C L U B

{ Mindfulness} M E TAC O G N I T I O N

AC ADEMIC ENRICHMENT There is a misconception that Academic Enrichment in general is about elitism or that it is simply an extension activity for the exceptionally able. This is not the case at Canford. We want our pupils to explore, to engage, to discover, to analyse, to criticise and to interpret. We want them to think creatively and to innovate within their own specialist spheres. We want them to have every opportunity to pursue their academic ambitions (at any level) and to do this not for the mercenary reward of an exam result – though these are of fundamental importance – but because they enjoy and are passionate about their education.

At Canford, we believe every pupil is entitled to an enriching experience of education that begins in the classroom but extends well beyond it. Linking into the personal passions and interests of each of our pupils, the Enrichment Programme is a tailored and varied pathway to independent learning that aims to inculcate a love of learning for its own sake which remains a critical aspect of a Canfordian’s identity long after they have left in the Upper Sixth. Academic Enrichment can be split into three core areas: •

Curriculum based

•

Extension opportunities

•

Academic Activities and Societies

PUPIL PROFILE The classroom atmosphere is always positive.

The teachers are very helpful and are always looking to teach in an interactive and engaging way. You don’t just learn pure academics; you learn much more.

At the moment I am thinking of pursuing a career in medicine. This would mean studying maths and sciences at A level. However, since joining Canford I have tried so many interesting, new subjects that I think it will be very hard to choose. For now, I am just trying to

CELIA LEAVESLEY MODERN LINGUIST, MEDIC, SINGER

keep my options open and have been involved in some fascinating STEM projects and essay competitions.

Outside of academics, I really like singing in the choir and I have also loved being involved in some of the drama productions. Last term I even got to try out stage management, which I thoroughly enjoyed (especially wearing the headset!). Sport here is second to none. This term I have started rowing and at Easter I am heading to Holland on a hockey tour. Canford provides endless opportunities and support for me to learn and grow.

CURRICULUM-B ASED ENRICHMENT For most Canfordians curriculum-based enrichment forms the bulk of the Academic Enrichment they will experience during their time at the school and it is therefore critical that it forms a coherent and purposeful journey from Shells through to the end of Sixth Form.

• Shell projects explore links between subjects as the learn core skills • Fourth Form carousel developing subject knowledge with different teachers every two weeks • Fifth Form research projects on six subject areas of interest • Sixth Form Connections programme - a varied and engaging lecture series of visiting speakers

AC ADEMIC EXTENSION Within our academic enrichment activities are

Academic groups and societies run throughout the

offered to all pupils but are not compulsory. This is

year. Some are invitation only, while others are open

a vital strand as it is very often the area of learning

to all those keen to develop their learning:

that most puts a pupil outside of their comfort zone.

As they develop academic interests and passions outside of the curriculum they build confidence and skills that help accelerate their learning in all areas.

Opportunities include: • • • •

Internal departmental competitions External essay competitions CP Snow and Baynham Essay Prizes Extended Project Qualification research project

• • • • • • • • •

Heretics - Junior and Senior discussion groups Model United Nations Global Forum John O’Gaunt’s debating society SMAC (Science, Maths and Computing Physics Book Club Engineering Society Layard Society (History) Politicos

OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME

Making an application to Oxford and Cambridge is a significant undertaking. Our dedicated team of staff have many years’ experience in the application and interview process, and a good number studied at one of the two universities.

An outline of the programme we offer is as follows: • Expression of interest and 1-1 discussion wtih Oxbridge co-ordinator and Sixth Form tutor • Initial preparation in dedicated ‘Pi’ weekly timetabled sessions • Research projects including writing academic material on your chosen subject • Presentations to peers on academic areas of interest • The Oxbridge Reading Party - a visit to Oxford and Cambridge during the summer of Lower Sixth with the chance to meet college tutors and Old Canfordians currently studying at the university • Interview guidance and 1-1 mock sessions with careers department staff • Advice on selection of college based on subject, college knowledge and in-depth research by Canford’s Oxbridge co-ordinators • Follow up feedback post application Canford has a strong tradition of success in gaining offers, with over 100 in the past decade across the full spectrum of arts and sciences.

PUPIL PROFILE I’ve been given the chance to really develop my interest in Biology during my time here, which has ultimately led to a successful application to Oxford.

The lessons have really sparked my interest in the wider subject - escpecially the Pi sessions which discussed the new biological discoveries that week. The Peterhouse essay competition was an opportunity to pit my brainpower against top students from across the country, and listening to visiting speakers such as the Head of the Cambridge Biological Gardens, Professor Beverley Glover, taking part in the Biology Olympiads and conducting the Riverfly

GEORGE ROBSON

survey at school are all enrichment opportunities which have

SCHOLAR, BIOLOGIST,

helped develop my knowledge. The 1-1 weekly tutor sessions have made sure I’m staying on track academically and that I have also had the time to play goalkeeper for the 1st XI hockey side. We’ve had a pretty successful season, reaching the national quarter finals of the schools’ cup. Canford has offered me the platform for a rewarding career in Biology and for an exciting future.

1ST XI HOCKEY PLAYER

SCHOLARS’ PROGRAMME

The programme offered for scholars at Canford offers continued and distinct progression throughout their time at the school: • Tower Society discussion group • Fourth Form Lecture series • Fifth Form educational trips • The Wilkinson Society for Sixth Form Alongside each of these runs the scholar appraisal system. After each assessment progress is reviewed with follow up co-ordination through tutors.

We ensure that each scholar realises his/her full academic potential through the opportunities our dynamic scholars’ programme.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUTSTANDING AC ADEMIC ABILITY Each year scholarships are awarded to pupils who demonstrate a high level of academic ability at 13+ entry. Such awards have a monetary value of anywhere between 5% and 50% of fees, and can be supplemented by a bursary in cases of need.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR We are looking for enquiring minds, for pupils who enjoy academic study and are keen to stretch themselves and explore new academic challenges. One’s current knowledge base is less important than potential, and we look for pupils with the personality and strength of character to lead and enthuse their peers. We would expect Academic scholars to aim high, in internal and external examinations and in university entrance.

FORMAT Academic scholarships are held at Canford over three days, normally early in March. For those unable to travel, daily accommodation at the school is available.

For further information, please contact admissions@canford.com

Canford School, Wimbor ne , Dor set, BH21 3AD 01202 847207 admissions@canford.com

www.canford.com/Academic