Canford School 13+ entry guide

Considering Canford School for your child? We’ve collated everything you need to know about 13+ entry. Learn more about the school’s key details, what’s on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare for success.

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 five 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.

Key information for Canford School

• Address: Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD
• Admissions contact: [email protected]
• Type of school: Independent boarding school
• County: Dorset
• Age range and gender: Boys and girls aged 13-18
• Number of pupils: 660+
• National league table rank: Take a look at our blog, The top private schools in the UK
• A level/GCSE results: Find more on results here or visit the school website
• Type of entrance exam: Quest Admissions

Dates for your diary for 13+ admissions

• Open days: Canford holds two Open Mornings each year, in the Spring and Autumn term.
• Registration window: Registration closes at the end of July in Year 6.
• Selection process: Assessment exams are held in January or February for September entry.

For more information, head to the school website.

What's included on Quest 13+ entry exams?

Quest 13+ admissions tests are designed to explore how your child thinks - not just what they know.

Taken online, Quest tests consist of adaptive questions that get more or less challenging depending on how your child is performing and non-adaptive questions. The test is completed under timed conditions and will consist of 2 parts, with each school choosing how to set their test.

• Part 1 tests some or all of the following subjects: English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning
• Part 2 consists of puzzles and problem-solving and creative comprehension.
• Some schools may incorporate other tests or stages in their admissions process, such as written English and maths papers, a creative writing task, and/or an interview. Check your target school’s website for more.

Financial information

Canford School is a fee paying school. Take a look at the school website for a full breakdown of fees per year group and for boarding students.

Financial assistance

When exploring independent schools for your child, scholarships and bursaries are worth considering. They can ease the pressure of school fees and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded for a child’s talent or achievement. While many schools focus on academic excellence, some offer awards in music, sport, drama, art, or other specialist areas.

Scholarships often come with a small fee reduction and acknowledge your child’s talents, motivating them and boosting their confidence. Some schools automatically consider all applicants, while others may request an additional application, assessment or audition.

Visit your target school’s website to see what scholarships are available and how to apply.

For more information, read: Your guide to independent school scholarships.

Bursaries

Bursaries are means-tested awards (based on a family’s financial situation) designed to make independent education more accessible. Depending on your circumstances, a bursary could cover part or all of the school fees and sometimes extras like uniforms, lunches or school trips.

Families provide financial information to qualify, and awards are reassessed each year. For many families, bursaries make an excellent education possible that might otherwise seem out of reach.

Visit your target school’s website to find out what bursaries are available and how to apply.

For more information, read: Bursaries: a parents’ guide

‍

Top tips for applying to independent schools

Preparing for independent school entrance exams doesn’t need to feel daunting. With the right support, your child can feel confident and ready for the exam process.

Here are our top tips to do just that:

1. Get familiar with the 13+ exam format

Many independent school entrance exams test four key areas: English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. These aren’t always taught explicitly in school, so it’s important your child gets used to the types of questions they’ll see in the test.

How Atom helps: Atom’s learning platform mirrors independent school exams, with thousands of interactive questions in all four subjects. Content can be tailored to your child’s ability, so they’re always working at the right level.

2. Strengthen core knowledge

A strong grasp of Key Stage 2 English and maths is essential. Make sure your child is confident with grammar, spelling, punctuation, arithmetic and problem-solving before focusing on exam technique.

How Atom helps: Atom covers the entire Key Stage 2 curriculum in English and maths, plus verbal and non-verbal reasoning (which aren't taught on the national curriculum). As your child learns, they’ll earn rewards and progress through fun, engaging learning journeys — all in one platform.

3. Practise speed and accuracy

Your child will need to answer questions accurately and under timed conditions. Regular practice will help them build speed and avoid common mistakes.

How Atom helps: With Atom, your child can access unlimited practice papers and custom mock tests. You'll get instant results and insights into their strengths and areas to improve.

4. Keep a regular routine

Consistent, manageable study sessions work better than last-minute cramming. Aim for short bursts of focused learning, with regular breaks to avoid fatigue and keep motivation high.

How Atom helps: Atom creates a personalised weekly learning schedule based on your child’s progress. This helps them stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Practise interview technique

Many independent schools hold interviews to provide a better understanding of whether the school is right for your child and vice versa. Practising interview techniques at home will build confidence ahead of the big day.

How Atom helps: Find out more about preparing your child in our ultimate guide to interviews, including question examples and more.

6. Track progress over time

Knowing how your child is progressing can give you peace of mind — and help you target revision more effectively. It’s also a great way to celebrate the effort they’re putting in.

How Atom helps: You’ll get access to a real-time parent dashboard, where you can see how your child is performing across all subjects. No need to guess what’s going well or what needs more attention.

7. Get the right support

You don’t need to rely on expensive tutors to prepare for independent school exams. With the right tools, your child can prepare effectively and independently — while building long-term skills and confidence.

How Atom helps: Atom combines high-quality learning resources with smart technology to deliver a tutor-quality experience at home. And if you ever need help, our Education Support team is here to guide you.