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These are sage words but can be hard to live up to. It is all too easy to play safe and go with the flow. We have to reflect carefully, and often, on whether we are using our intellectual, physical, and creative powers to the full to make a real difference to our lives as individuals, and to the communities in which we live. We want our pupils to encounter formative experiences through their education in the academic, co-curricular, and pastoral aspects of their time here. These in turn will lead them to question, to make decisions, and to act vigorously, both as individuals and through their engagement with others. Such characteristics are crucial if our pupils are going to make the most of their future, and contribute all they can to the world in which they live. If they don’t aim high, they will fall short. Life is full of challenges, and we want to equip Canfordians with the confidence and resilience to embrace and overcome them. Alongside ambition and strength of character, we seek to instill a deep understanding of the wider moral and social responsibilities that arise from living and working with others. This is embodied in the vision, aims, and ethos of the school and articulated further in the Essence of Canford publications. These principles, values, and qualities underpin everything we do and help to forge the strong bonds between staff, pupils, and parents which are a fundamental feature of Canford life. Education is and has to be a partnership-driven by mutual respect, trust, and a willingness to work together for a better future. Life here is multi-dimensional and no website or prospectus can fully capture the spirit of Canford. The only way to get a genuine feel for what we believe in and what we do is to visit and meet the people who are the beating heart of the school. Canford School offers a range of facilities open to the general public. The Sports Centre has over 500 members and offers a wide range of fitness classes as well as a fully-equipped fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and dance studios. Tennis courts are close by. There is a 9 hole golf course within the grounds and Canford boasts one of only two Real Tennis courts currently in schools in the UK. The Layard Theatre, opened in 1998, is a fully equipped, modern theatre providing a venue for a wide range of professional entertainment including top-quality Drama, Music, and Dance. The Layard Theatre was opened by Sir Richard Eyre in May 1999, having been funded in part from the sale of the Assyrian Frieze, which had originally been brought to Canford by Sir Henry Layard in the mid-nineteenth century. Attractively sited on the campus of Canford School, in 250 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Stour, the theatre offers the pleasure of the performing arts in a beautiful and historic setting. It is a flexible and atmospheric building, which has won wide acclaim and, with a seating capacity of just 294 (including 2 designated wheelchair spaces), the theatre is intimate, accessible, and welcoming for both seasoned theatre-goers and first-timers. In addition to housing Canford's drama department and student productions, this fully-equipped, modern theatre provides a venue for a wide range of professional entertainment, including top-quality theatre and music. These productions are open to the public and are publicized in our seasonal program. Parking for the theatre is free. View full school