ADMISSION AT 13+ (YEAR 9)
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
We hope this leaflet will guide you through the admissions process for joining the school at 13+, but if there are questions not answered here, please do get in touch at any time.
FIRST STEPS
VISITING CANFORD
Parents are encouraged to visit at an early stage and to register as soon as possible. We hold open mornings twice a year in April and October. Personal visits can also be arranged in term time.
BOOK FOR AN OPEN MORNING
Scan the QR code or click the link below to visit the website page and book a place www.canford.com/open-morning
EXPLORE DAY
BOOK A PRIVATE VISIT
Scan the QR code or click the link below to book a private visit to Canford https://www.canford.com/admissions/visit /private-visit-request
Children who have registered by the end of Year 5 will be invited to our Explore Day which takes place at the beginning of Year 6, prior to assessments. They will have the opportunity to spend a day here taking part in fun activities and meeting others in their year group.
YEAR 7 OFFER HOLDER EVENT
Pupils who have confirmed places will be invited to our Offer Holder Event which takes place on a Sunday in May of Year 7. There is the opportunity to visit houses and meet staff on this day as well as take part as a family in our legendary Colour Run!
REGISTRATION
YEAR 6 OPTION OR
You may register your child as early as you like and can do this online.
REGISTER YOUR CHILD
Scan the QR code or click the link below to visit the website page and complete the application form https://apply.canford.com/user/welcome.php
Once your child is registered, we will prompt you at each further stage.
ASSESSMENT TIMELINES
Registered applicants for places in Year 9 sit our assessment on one day at Canford, either in Year 6 or Year 7.
We recommend taking the earlier Year 6 option unless there are good reasons not to do so.
Please see the information opposite regarding the format of our assessment days, including use of our bespoke online computerised standardised test.
YEARS 6 AND 7
THE ASSESSMENT DAY
Format
This day is a mix of activities, tests and informal interviews. While some apprehension is only to be expected, we try to make the day as enjoyable and positive as we can.
Some of our testing is online. 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 non-verbal reasoning and these are completed in one hour 10 minutes.
To find out more, please visit the dedicated Quest page online https://app.questassessments.com/public/taster/canford-school
Outcome
After the assessment day we will contact you with one of the following outcomes:
• A ‘firm’ place at Canford. We will expect a satisfactory reference in Year 8 as a measure of a pupil’s current level of attainment.
• A ‘waiting list’ place which is regularly reviewed.
LATE ENTRY
If your child has missed our assessment testing options, please get in touch to find out if registration is still open for your child’s year of entry. If last minute places remain available, we will arrange testing for suitable candidates.
Year 8 academic scholarship registrations are open to all, including those who do not already hold a place. All scholarships must be sat in person at Canford.
YEAR 8: TIMELINE
OCTOBER
• Scholarship information available on the school website and from the Admissions team.
DECEMBER
• Scholarship and Bursary application closing date.
SPRING
• Academic Scholarships.
• Art, Drama, Design Technology, Music and Sport Scholarships.
• Scholarship and Bursary outcomes released.
JUNE
• Familiarisation Day for those joining in September.
