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catchment.school

Canford School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Canford School is an other independent not applicable school in Wimborne, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole , serving pupils aged 13-18, with 646 pupils, and a capacity of 680 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

13-18

Age range

646

Pupils

680

Capacity

95%

Fill rate

Canford School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Canford School?

The catchment area for Canford School is the geographic zone Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, though entry first depends on passing the selective admissions test. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Entry to Canford School is selective, and applicants must pass the relevant admissions test. Among qualifying applicants, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole may use distance or catchment area as a tiebreaker when the school is oversubscribed. Check the admissions policy for how the selection and distance criteria interact.

Operating near capacity: 95% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Canford School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The full admissions policy, including test registration dates, qualifying scores, and any distance criteria, is published by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole before each admissions cycle. Verify your child's eligibility and your home address directly with the council.

Find Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole catchment area documents →

Canford School: 680 places, 95% filled: nearing capacity

Canford School has a published admission number of 680 places. 646 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 95%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 680, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole school admissions →

Canford School: School Information

Full address
Canford Magna, Wimborne, BH21 3AD
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
School type
Other independent school
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
13-18 years
Religious character
Anglican/Church of England
Admissions policy
Selective
DfE URN
113922

Other Not applicable Schools in Wimborne

If Canford School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Wimborne are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Canford School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Canford School

What is the catchment area for Canford School?

The catchment area for Canford School is the geographic zone Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, though entry first depends on passing the selective admissions test. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Canford School oversubscribed?

Canford School is operating close to its capacity of 680 places (95% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Canford School?

Canford School is a selective school: admission requires passing the relevant admissions test. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole publishes the full policy each year, including test dates, qualifying scores, and any distance tiebreaker.

What age range does Canford School cover?

Canford School is a not applicable school in Wimborne, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, serving pupils aged 13-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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