Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8HN
10 reasons to choose Hanford School
Top line
Hanford School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Blandford Forum and one of the 3 best primary schools for 5 miles.
School fundamentals
Hanford School is an independent prep day and boarding school for girls between the ages of 7 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 3 for the 70% of pupils who board. 90% are full boarders and 10% are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, and is a member of the Sherborne Schools Group. Hanford School fees range from £6,765 (Rec) to £8,070 per term (2025/26). Full boarding fees range from £8,070 to £10,520 per term. Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Hanford School has one class per year to Year 6, up to three from Year 7, and an average class size of 9 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Hanford School leavers can be any one of 25 independent day and boarding schools. Particularly popular are the girls’ boarding schools; Sherborne Girls’, St Mary’s Calne, and Downe House. Some also move on to mixed boarding schools such as Bryanston School and Marlborough College. 25% of pupils win awards and scholarships. Hanford School and Sherborne School for Girls merged in 2023.
The Hanford School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, art appreciation, current affairs, pottery, general knowledge, critical thinking, handwork (as DT), French, Latin. The school offers each child a handful of extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, especially during curriculum ‘Festivals’ and residential trips from Year 4.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for music, art, languages, computing, drama and sport throughout, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Hanford School
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Horse riding is a particular feature of the daily routine. Representative teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in cross country.
The Arts at Hanford School
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class and nearly all take extra-curricular instrument lessons. Two choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 8.00am to 6.35pm. Day fees include one night of occasional boarding per week.
Find another school near Hanford School
Bryanston Knighton House (3.4 miles); Clayesmore Preparatory School (3.5 miles); Port Regis Preparatory School (10.6 miles).
Horsington Church School (15.5 miles).
Clayesmore School (3.5 miles); Bryanston School (6.6 miles).
Gillingham School (13.6 miles); Allenbourn Middle School (14.2 miles); The Gryphon School (17.2 miles).