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Considering Canford School for your child? We’ve collated everything you need to know about 13+ entry. Learn how to apply, what’s on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare for success.
Key information for Canford School
Address: Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD
Age range and gender: boys and girls aged 13–18
Type of school: independent boarding
Number of students: 650+
Admissions contact: [email protected]
13+ open days: spring and autumn in Year 5 and Year 6, private visits year-round during term-time
13+ selection criteria: ISEB Common Pre-Test, Canford pre-assessment
Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
13+ scholarships: academic, music, sport, art, drama, design technology
About Canford School
Canford School is a co-educational independent school in Wimborne, Dorset. It was founded in 1923 and is set on a 250-acre landscaped campus near the coast. The school's vision is for pupils to be 'inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel.'
Canford School ranks among the top co-educational schools in the South West. Many students go on to attend top universities, with 44 Oxbridge offers in 5 years. Canford School was named Public School of the Year by Tatler in 2019 and Boarding School of the Year by the Independent School Parent in 2018.
The school boasts impressive facilities, including modern science labs, a theatre, and extensive sports fields. Canford is particularly strong in sports, with students taking part in over 1,000 sports matches each year. The arts are also a key focus, with excellent programmes in music, drama, and visual arts. There are 20 music groups and over 50 co-curricular activities and societies.
Canford School is proud of its supportive and inclusive community. The school supports over 70 community schemes, with both pupils and staff giving their time to projects.
Dates for your diary
Explore day (non-assessed): September in Year 6
Registration closes: end of July in Year 6
ISEB Common Pre-Test: November in Year 6 or Year 7
Canford pre-assessment: spring term in Year 6 or Year 7
Offers of places: spring in Year 7
Canford School 13+ entrance exam
### Stage 1: ISEB Common Pre-Test
All children applying for 13+ entry to Canford School sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test. This is an exam created by the Independent Schools Examination Board which is usually taken in the autumn term of Year 6.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is taken online and consists of multiple choice questions. It is entirely adaptive, which means the questions become more difficult depending on how your child is performing. The questions span four subjects:
Maths: questions are based on the Year 5 national curriculum – although children in Year 6 may find this section challenging. The questions range from arithmetic to multi-step problem solving.
English: questions are split into two sections: reading comprehension, and spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Verbal reasoning: your child will be tested on their ability to reason and solve problems with written information, such as letters, words, symbols and numbers.
Non-verbal reasoning: these questions assess your child’s logic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills using figures and diagrams. They will need to show that they can analyse and manipulate 2D and 3D figures.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test takes around 2 and a half hours to complete. Your child can sit the four subjects together or at separate times. If they are taking all four subjects on the same day, they will be allowed a short break between each section.
Stage 2: Year 6 pre-assessments
Children who perform well in the ISEB are invited to Canford School for a pre-assessment day (known as the 'Headmaster's List Day' in the spring term in Year 6. This consists of activities, further tests and informal interviews.
Complete guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Test
Find out everything you need to know about the format and subjects tested on the ISEB Common Pre-Test. See example questions, answers to FAQs, and learn how to prepare.
Atom’s top tips for applying to Canford School
Canford School is a selective school, and competition for places can be high. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the selection process.
Bitesize learning
It’s important to build a good knowledge base before school entrance exams. Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught at school before testing their knowledge with practice tests.
Using a ‘little and often’ approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.
With Atom Home, you don’t need to worry about creating a study schedule. When you enter your target schools, you’ll get a bespoke learning plan tailored to your schools’ entrance exams. Know exactly what your child needs to do each week to confidently pass.
Read widely
Entrance exams test children’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.
Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.
Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.
Hone curiosity
Selective schools are often looking for children who are interested in learning. You can help by supporting your child’s broader learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their passion for developing an understanding of the world.
Talk to your child about the world we live in and inspire an interest in current affairs with age-appropriate journalism. It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re benefitting from a rich variety of experiences, such as visiting libraries, museums and galleries.
Refine exam technique
When your child feels confident with their knowledge of the exam topics, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.
Mock tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and refine exam technique. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning, while highlighting any knowledge gaps they might want to tackle before exam day.
When you set Canford School as a target school on Atom Home, your child will get ISEB mock tests as part of their learning plan. Atom’s mock tests mirror the real ISEB – the curriculum, the timings, the controls and even the colours. Know what to expect on exam day.
Celebrate progress
Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.
Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.
Tailored exam prep for Canford School
Get your child’s roadmap to success with Atom Home. Atom has everything you need to get prepared, in one package.
Know what to revise with clear weekly plans tailored to your target schools
Enjoy learning with 90,000+ questions and 500+ hours of videos
Refine exam technique with ISEB and second stage mock tests
See your child’s performance compared to other candidates
School offers – easy with Atom.
In 2024, 91% of Atom kids got offered a place at their top-choice school. Your child could be one of them. Get started with Atom for free today.
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