Canford is among the top co-educational independent boarding schools in the country. Set in over 250 acres of grounds in Wimborne, Dorset, it offers all pupils the opportunity to explore, to express and to excel in order to make a difference, to both their own lives and to the lives of others.

Sport and Physical Wellbeing is a central feature of the co-curricular life of the school, with every pupil taking part, whatever their level. For the elite, Canford runs a dedicated scholar programme and has a fine reputation for high achievement with numerous pupils reaching county, regional and national level success each year.

“A positive approach to Sport and Physical Wellbeing is ingrained into a Canford education. It’s part of the school’s DNA. We want every pupil to view sport and physical fitness as a vital ingredient in their daily lives. Our aim is to inspire a generation to achieve their potential in sport and to promote physical wellbeing both at school and beyond. As part of this we must ensure we do everything possible to reduce the impact and incidence of sports related injuries. As a founding school partner we are fully committed to supporting Podium Analytics in this important research.”

Sport at Canford is about providing opportunities for our pupils to be physically active, to be challenged and to develop core life skills which they can take with them beyond school.

Our programme looks to give all our pupils the chance to explore the benefits that sport offers, allow them to express themselves through their physical wellbeing activities and facilitate those who wish to excel in their chosen path.

There is plenty of choice for sport within the school's 250 acres of grounds. Impressive facilities include squash courts, two Astroturf pitches and an historic Real Tennis court - Canford is one of only two schools in the country to possess an original one. The Sports Centre boasts a double court sports hall, 25 station fitness suite, dance / spinning studio, 25m 6 lane indoor heated swimming pool and recently updated strength & conditioning room with bespoke lifting platforms and racks. Few schools can boast their own golf course in the grounds and the sport is widely enjoyed. The proximity of the river is exploited by our rowers and the ample, flat playing fields encourage high standards.

The Canford coaching team works closely with the school's Head of Wellbeing to ensure that every pupil feels confident, supported and appropriately challenged to gain the most they can from sporting activity.

“I am delighted to be working with the team at Podium Analytics to develop this programme. Sport is to be enjoyed by and is valuable to all and as an international rugby player-turned youth sport coach I have personally experienced the ways in which sport can beneficially impact young people. Self-confidence, teamwork and a sense of achievement are qualities readily transferable to other areas of their lives and while our top sportsmen and women compete at county, regional and national levels, all pupils are involved in sport throughout their time at school. I have also witnessed first hand the negative effects sports injuries can have, with lengthy recovery times impacting significantly on both mental and physical wellbeing. This pioneering research will help us to learn more about how to prevent them, to ensure that youth sport continues to provide wide-ranging benefits for every young person.”