CANFORD TO 2023 AND BEYOND FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
TO 2 0 2 3 A ND B E YOND
FRO M T H E H E A D M A ST E R BEN VESSEY When the Reverend Percy Warrington founded Canford School in 1923, his aim was ‘to fit boys to take their place in the battle of life and develop their character in every way’. This foundation was based on Christian values focused on building a tolerant,
As Canford’s centenary approaches the world is very different to 1923, and the winds of change are gathering pace in so many aspects of life.
caring and compassionate society for all. Almost a century later those values endure and Canford is a school community welcoming and open to all, which is committed to educating young men and women to make a real and positive difference in a challenging, diverse and often inequitable world. Our Founder’s vision was to place Canford amongst leading public schools; a worthy aim which remained little more than an acorn for many years. I think the Reverend Warrington would be justifiably proud to see how the Canford acorn has emerged to become a strong and sturdy oak, well rooted and full of potential. Canford opened with just 148 boys and 9 masters; today’s school roll of 660 is more balanced and reflective of society with our intake drawn from over 60 different schools in the UK
At Canford we are acutely aware of
and overseas. We are now 55% boys and 45% girls with a split of 65% boarders from a broad geographical spread and 35% day pupils from the local area. Our outstanding team includes a dedicated Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team, over
the need to ensure that, whatever
100 highly qualified and wholly committed teaching and coaching staff and around 350 excellent support staff. The Reverend
pressures may exist or emerge, our
established public school names in the country, most recently the Tatler Public School of the Year 2019. We are delighted with
educational offering is dynamic and
outcomes on so many levels and across a range of contexts.
relevant so Canfordians can, as the first prospectus stated, ‘take their place in the battle of life and develop their character in every way’ and thus survive and thrive in the 21st century.
Warrington would have been very pleased, surely, to see the national recognition afforded to Canford against some of the most the many wonderful achievements of our pupils who aim high and fulfil their potential, with impressive individual and collective
As Canford’s centenary approaches, the following pages outline in overview how we will build on our Founder’s legacy, to develop and grow further to meet the challenges of our world today and those of the future. We must review, research, refresh and revise our educational offering so that it is dynamic, relevant and different in meaningful ways. Our plans are ambitious, based on a clear mission and underpinned by a set of core values. As our vision states, we are ‘A school community where all are inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel’. We have given careful thought to our plans to establish and resource new educational programmes, structures and facilities to achieve our aims, combined with a clear business strategy to guarantee Canford’s sustainability. The world is ever changing and, as we implement our plan for the School ‘To 2023 and Beyond’, we will look at opportunities to position Canford as a sector-leading, global institution and as a school community where its members are committed to making a real difference to their own lives, and to the lives of others.
OU R VISION
A school community where all are inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel.
OUR MISSION To build a community of open-minded people who are motivated to embrace learning in all its forms, and committed to making a difference to their own lives, and to the lives of others. Our exceptional education grants freedom to grow and creates opportunities for all to explore, to express and to excel.
HUMBLE AMBITION
OUR VALUES
Pursuing goals without arrogance or complacency brings meaningful success.
COURAGEOUS ATTITUDE We challenge members of our community to be energetic and resilient in pursuit of
Being principled and strong, yet reflective and
their goals but honest and grateful for
tolerant, takes courage.
fulfilment of them. We support members of our community to be bold in expressing thoughts, words and deeds
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EX
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PURPOSEFUL ENGAGEMENT
GRACIOUS LEADERSHIP
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society.
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EX
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yet respectful of the diversity in our world and
S RE
RE
Building a confident mindset
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M OM
U
Fulfilling a duty to guide, support and include others makes a difference.
develops positive life-long learning.
We urge members of our community to lead graciously and serve willingly for the
We inspire members of our community to be curious and determined in pursuit of knowledge and opportunity.
greater good.
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shaped.
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hundred years will be
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that Canford’s next
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flexible approach
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a forward looking,
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wisdom alongside
transformational as they advance from school to life beyond.
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on such enduring
structures for pupils to lead their own learning and development in ways which are
IN
It is through building
We are also reviewing our Sixth Form offering to ensure it provides opportunities and
A transformational learning journey preparing young people to lead and shape our world.
LBE
throughout our lives.
Sixth Form where pupils learn to explore and engage with a range of experiences.
WEL
we think, say and do
standards. We will continue to build strong educational foundations from Shells to
and accommodation are fit for purpose and that our pastoral care meets the highest
HIP
continually through all
As a full boarding school, with a strong day element, we must ensure that our facilities
A CANFORD EDUCATION
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something which flows
with the infrastructure and support in place to achieve them.
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where education is
will offer dynamic, relevant and life enhancing educational programmes fit for the future,
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PER DEVE SON LO PM AL EN T
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‘learning society’
strands of our educational experience – the academic, co-curricular and pastoral life – we
B OA AY R D D & I N G H O TS USE D EVELOPMEN
Plato refers to a
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remaining true to our mission and to our core values. Through the three fundamental
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We must continue to challenge and develop our pupils to ‘explore, express and excel’,
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NEW L IBR AR Y CE & L NT EA RE R
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However, in order to continue to fulfil our vision, it is important not to rest on our laurels.
R OO TRE D T EN OU N C O E W AT I C U C
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Canford already offers a top quality education, with superb facilities and outstanding staff.
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DELIVERING A TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
AC A D E M I C
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PROPOSED NEW LIBRARY LINK BUILDING
PROPOSED NEW SIXTH FORM HUB
SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE FUTURE The current social, political and economic environment has perhaps never been more uncertain with significant challenges for the independent school sector to meet. Although Canford starts from a position of strength, we simply must remain competitive, relevant and sustainable in the face of these uncertainties and challenges. Creating an agile organisation able to anticipate and exploit opportunities and changing patterns of demand as and when they present will be critical. Work to do this has already begun with a significant review of our educational offering, the opportunities we provide and the facilities we have available to support the delivery of our vision. It is clear that Canford will require additional capacity and an adaptable approach supported by a flexible, modern and efficient infrastructure, but it is equally
Canford must continue
clear that we cannot deliver our vision without deploying sufficient financial resources
to evolve and develop
and we must be prepared to invest appropriately to secure our future. PROPOSED NEW BOYS’ BOARDING HOUSES
PROPOSED NEW LIBRARY
to meet future needs
This investment will be carefully profiled to balance risk and opportunity so that
and engage proactively
all pupils see the benefit from incremental improvements. It will be funded via a
with market forces
blended approach involving some use of existing reserves built up during recent years; additional fee income as a result of a modest increase in pupil numbers, carefully considered in the context of Canford’s site and community feel; prudent borrowing and appropriate commercial activity; and disposal of investment land. Our aim is to ensure that Canford is in the strongest position possible to provide an outstanding education for current and future pupils and to ensure that the School is able to survive and thrive well into its second century. We will also strive to ensure that appropriate opportunities to improve the environmental sustainability of Canford are incorporated into our plans whenever possible.
and expectations.
ACADEMIC FACILITIES
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660
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O OL R
685
L
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625
H
OL
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575
H
OL
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515
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Theatre opened
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490
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2020 Opening of new Outdoor Education Centre and modernised Assembly Hall
Ben Vessey appointed and John Lever building opens
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O OL R
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1920
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315
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148
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2013 Current Headmaster
1998 Layard
(later Salisbury) opened – first day house
Club founded as first community project
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SC
1929 Poole Boys’
2007 Sixth Form Centre opened
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1941 Hankinson’s
CO-EDUCATION
becomes fully co-educational
Form girls join the School
Opening of new School and Monteacute Boarding Houses Opening of enhanced Day House and educational facilities Opening of enhanced Sixth Form and Future Life facilities Improvements and modernisation to existing Boarding Houses Subject to funding and statutory approvals
BOARDING/DAY FACILITIES
1995 Canford
1969 First Sixth
The Reverend Percy Warrington
2021-23
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
opened – first purpose built girls’ boarding house
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1923 TO 2023 AND B E YOND 1923 Canford founded by
CO-CURRICULAR FACILITIES
1992 Marriotts
TA R G E T
. . . . . . . . . 1930 . . . . . 1940 . . . . 1960 . . 1970 . . 1980 . . . 1990 . . . . . . . . . 2 000 . . . . . . . . . . . 2007 . . . . 2010 . . . . 2013 . . . . 2016 . . . 2019 . . . . 2020 . . . . 2021 . . . . 2022 . . . . 2023
1926 Rifle Range and Armoury opened
1939-45 139 Old Canfordians made the ultimate sacrifice in WW2 1930 Foundation stone laid for Gisborough Hall and Monteacute opened – first purpose built boys’ boarding house
1974 Music
1994 Assyrian Frieze
School opened
sold - proceeds used to develop facilities, fund scholarships and bursaries and establish an overseas community partnership programme
1996 Sports
2010 The Bourne
Centre opened and first Partnership trip to Tamil Nadu, India
Academy opens with Canford as lead sponsor
2019 Canford awarded Tatler Public School of the Year
2016 Martin Marriott Foundation set up to support bursaries to Canford
2021 Opening of new Library
2020 New Cambodia Partnership commences
2023 Canford celebrates its Centenary
Canford School, Wimbor ne , Dor set, BH21 3AD 01202 841254 office@canford.com
www.canford.com