CANFORD
FULL BOARDING AND DAY • CO-EDUCATIONAL • 13-18
SCHOLARSHIPS
ENTRY AT 13+ IN 2026
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 13+ ENTRY
• A candidate may enter for more than one scholarship.
• All candidates must be in Year 8 at the time they take a scholarship.
• All candidates must reach the academic entrance requirements. If your child does NOT already have a place at Canford they must either take the academic scholarship exams or Year 8 Canford Entrance Tests.
• Parents are responsible for registering their child for each scholarship. The registration form will open in October 2025 when an email will be sent with the link to the registration form.
• Entries close on the 1st December 2025
SCHOLARSHIP DATES AWARD CONDITIONS
MUSIC
4TH OR 5TH FEBRUARY 2026
SPORT
30TH JANUARY 2026 - BOYS
2ND FEBRUARY 2026 - GIRLS
DRAMA
5TH FEBRUARY 2026
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
3RD FEBRUARY 2026
ACADEMIC
9TH AND 10TH FEBRUARY 2026
ART
3RD FEBRUARY 2026
Scholarships vary in value but are usually in the region of 5 – 15% of the fees. Smaller scholarships may be supplemented by means-tested financial assistance.
The number and size of scholarship awards in any category will depend on the overall quality and number of candidates each year, as well as the availability of funds.
Typically, no individual scholarship—or combination of scholarships—will cover more than 20% of school fees. However, in exceptional circumstances, families may be eligible for additional means-tested financial assistance that could increase the award to cover up to 100% of fees.
All Canford scholarships are awarded as a percentage of the fees. This ensures that their value remains consistent throughout a pupil’s time at the school.
Final decisions regarding the number and value of awards rest with the School’s Governors. Scholarships begin in the September following the award and are renewable each year, subject to periodic review and the Headmaster’s recommendation.
Please note that a confidential reference from the applicant’s current Headteacher is required as part of the application process. Parents should inform their child’s Headteacher of their intention to apply for a scholarship.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION DEADLINE (including those for the Armed Forces discount): 1st December 2025
(For further information on Financial Assistance please visit: https://issuu.com/canfordschool/docs/canford_ school_finance_information or click on the QR code)
ENTRANCE TESTS: 18th November 2025
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP SYLLABUS
At Canford, we offer academic scholarships to pupils who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and promise.
ENGLISH
The English paper gives candidates the opportunity to engage thoughtfully with a passage (or passages) of fairly challenging prose and/or verse. There will also be an essay question, which may invite either an analytical or imaginative response.
We are looking for insightful ideas, clarity and accuracy in writing and a sense of style, flair, or originality. Candidates are encouraged to ensure attention to detail by showing strong spelling, correct grammar, neat handwriting and sentence structure.
MATHS
The initial section will test core mathematical fluency, particularly in arithmetic and algebra. The later section will allow candidates to demonstrate their problem solving and analytical skills. Whilst later questions will require pupils to think beyond what they might normally face, the underlying mathematics is all within the Common Entrance syllabus. Particular credit is given for how candidates approach a problem so it is important that they communicate their thinking clearly.
SCIENCE
Candidates will be randomly assigned to carry out a 30minute experiment in one of the three sciences. They will be expected to use ordinary laboratory apparatus such as metre rules, measuring cylinders, clocks, balances, microscopes etc. There will be one sixty minute paper combining all three sciences. This paper will focus on assessing the candidates scientific skills, drawing graphs, interpreting results, making inferences etc. Candidates will not be tested on any factual information which would not have been covered in the National Curriculum up to Year 8.
HISTORY
The first section will be a source-based question (on a topic for which no previous knowledge is required), which will test candidates’ abilities to handle historical evidence. In the second section there will be a choice of open-ended essay titles to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their skills of historical analysis, using evidence from any period or periods of history, which they have studied.
GEOGRAPHY
The paper is based loosely on the topics contained in the Common Entrance syllabus. However the nature of the questions is broad and tests the ability of pupils to apply their existing understanding to new source material. There will also be some general questions which test their ability to ‘think like a geographer’ rather than their knowledge. The paper involves a range of short and medium-length questions which are a mix of data response, knowledge and skills. While a fieldwork project is not expected, we hope that all scholarship pupils will have the chance to do some practical geography before sitting the paper.
FRENCH or SPANISH
The paper will consist of three sections: Reading, Writing (a letter or composition based on a stimulus), and Speaking (general conversation).
QUEST ASSESSMENTS
(completed online during the Academic Scholarship day)
Our standardised testing is bespoke to Canford and created by Quest Assessments (previously Atom Testing). Children will be assessed in Maths, English, verbal reasoning and nonverbal reasoning. These online tests are completed in 70 minutes. To find out more, please visit the dedicated Quest page online https://app.questassessments.com/public/taster/ canford-school
Non-Compulsory Subject – LATIN
Latin is not a compulsory subject as part of the scholarship process at Canford. It is offered as an optional extra for those who have studied the subject and wish to demonstrate their ability. The Latin paper will assess Comprehension and translation of an unseen Latin prose passage and a grammar and derivation question. This paper is set at Common Entrance (CE) Scholarship standard. Any vocabulary outside the CE Scholarship prescribed list will be glossed.
Please note that completion of the paper will not increase a candidate’s scholarship award. Please let us know in advance if you would like your child to take the Latin paper.
Past papers are provided to prep schools. If your child is not at a prep school please contact Admissions.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
ART
Candidates will be required to execute specific tasks before the scholarship day, details of which will be sent in January 2026. On the day they will then be required to work in the Art School, bringing with them the set work, a portfolio and any other work that is appropriate. Holders of Art awards at Canford are expected to take Art at GCSE and A Level. For further information please contact the Head of Art, Nicola Will (nzw@canford.com)
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Candidates will be required to execute specific tasks before the scholarship day, details of which will be sent in January 2026. On the day they will work in the Design Technology Department, bringing with them the set work, a portfolio and any other work that is appropriate. Holders of Design Technology awards are expected to take Design Technology at GCSE and A Level. For further information please contact the Head of Design, Jonathan Martin (jvm@canford.com)
DRAMA
Candidates should prepare two contrasting monologues (not poems) of between one and two minutes long. They should understand the context of the speech from the play it comes from and know the play well as it will be discussed in the interview. If candidates are more interested in backstage, i.e. lighting design, set design etc, they should prepare a 5-minute presentation demonstrating how their preferred design skill could be applied to a play text of their choice. On the scholarship day, candidates will work in the Layard Theatre on devised group work and solo tasks, along with group discussions and individual interviews. Holders of Drama awards at Canford are expected to take Drama at GCSE and to take a full part in major school productions. For further information please contact the Head of Drama, Daniel McQue (dmm@canford.com)
MUSIC
Candidates will usually offer two instruments. Grade 5 (distinction) should be regarded as the minimum standard for the main instrument, although it is not expected that candidates will necessarily have taken that examination. This standard is given as a guide, and discussion with the Director of Music for consideration of individual circumstances is advised. For the scholarship audition, candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces on their main instrument and one piece on each additional instrument and/or voice. Where an applicant has been preparing scales recently, we will be glad to hear these as part of the audition, and it will be to their advantage to demonstrate a command of this important aspect of musical skill. Sight-reading of approximately grade 6 standard will be given on the main orchestral instrument, and there will be aural tests following the pattern of ABRSM grade 6. The Director of Music welcomes early contact from potential scholars for a ‘Pre-audition’, and is happy to answer any further questions, in the Autumn term preceding the Scholarships. This enables the candidate, parents and Music staff to meet informally and decide mutually on whether to proceed to the scholarship audition. Music scholarships offer free tuition on two instruments. Holders of Music awards at Canford are expected to take music at GCSE and A Level, and to play a full part as required by the Director of Music in the instrumental, vocal and concert life of the school, including singing in the school’s choir. For further information please contact our Music Department (slh@canford.com).
SPORT
On the day, candidates will be asked to choose two sports in addition to completing a physical test and an interview (exceptional talent in only one sport may attract an award, but all candidates will be required to participate in two sports on the day). These sports should ideally be in our focus team sports (Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Netball) but it is possible to choose from other sports such as Rowing, Athletics (Cross Country), Tennis, Golf and Swimming. Potential in Athletics and Cross Country will be assessed on the day in the Athletic Development Tests (completed by all candidates) and via ranked performances on the Power of 10 website. Therefore, those choosing Athletics or Cross Country as one of their two nominated sports should also identify a third sport that they will participate in on the day. Whilst time will not permit more than two sports to be assessed, the interview and the school reference should ensure that other strengths are also noted. For further information, please contact the Director of Sport and Wellbeing, Tony Diprose (tony.diprose@canford.com)