Canford Scholarship days- how do they run?

[Dodadodaday]

My son is doing the Canford academic and drama scholarships in February. I’m just planning ahead (as work has me travelling a lot) and trying to work out logistics and whether we need to stay over.

Does anyone know how long the days run from/to? Or any experience of DC’s attending so has any advice?

Probably best to email admissions as likely to vary depending on exact combinations etc. From experience with other schools they tend to be 9:30 to 4ish to enable people to travel on the day and also avoid start of school day. However, I always tend to stay up the night before as just don’t need the stress of accidents, bad traffic etc. The A31 can be v sticky in the mornings if you’re coming from the M3/ A27 direction ( we are nearby).

Thanks- they haven’t yet released the info and it’s a multi- day assessment. Hence seeing if anyone had specific experience of Canford. 😀

Right, but if you email them directly and explain that you need to plan for it around work they can probably give you some idea now. I’ve always found them to be v helpful ( my dc is also going there).

Thanks, yes absolutely. I have already been in contact and they said they said they are preparing the information but can’t yet confirm. I heard from them yesterday, but the deadline was Sunday so I give them some leeway that I am asking very early! Hence seeing if there’s any experience about I can draw from to allow me to sort out the conflicting priorities for February.

As your DC is there, did they do any of the scholarship assessments, for another subject perhaps rather than necessarily academic or drama?

Ah I see. Sorry- my dc only goes Sep 2024 ( is currently in year 8) and probably not sitting for scholarship.

My recollection is we met in reception room for a short talk, drink snack and good bye. There was a large group from Jersey I recall, my child didn’t know anyone. My DC stayed overnight with houseparents in one of the boarding houses which was really positive for choosing a house. DC really enjoyed, helped to determine was best choice school as did scholarship exams at another school but we liked Canford culture so much more than other school. Students also did some group activities where they needed to do teamwork, debate, discuss ethics of decisions. Got similar % awards at both schools. Certain they gave info about what to wear (school uniform), bring PE kit for activities etc and schedule. Just call and ask, staff v friendly.