Hanford is a thriving independent girls boarding prep school (ages 7-13) set in the heart of the Dorset.
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
For over 50 years, the RDA has worked with Hanford in offering various riding opportunities for disabled children and adults. Every Wednesday morning, the group makes use of Hanford’s riding facilities, providing essential experiences to promote therapy, fitness and skills development. Every summer, the RDA is welcomed to Hanford Prep to host a summer camp here for two days for those young people with whom they work through the year.
For over 50 years, the RDA has worked with Hanford in offering various riding opportunities for disabled children and adults. Every Wednesday morning, the group makes use of Hanford’s riding facilities, providing essential experiences to promote therapy, fitness and skills development. Every summer, the RDA is welcomed to Hanford Prep to host a summer camp here for two days for those young people with whom they work through the year.
Community performances
Creativity and performing arts are central to life at Hanford, so every summer the local community is welcomed free of charge to a community performance of the whole school end of year production. In 2025 this was Matilda, and in 2026 will be Mary Poppins. This is an exciting event in the School and community calendar.
Creativity and performing arts are central to life at Hanford, so every summer the local community is welcomed free of charge to a community performance of the whole school end of year production. In 2025 this was Matilda, and in 2026 will be Mary Poppins. This is an exciting event in the School and community calendar.
Carol services and Christmas celebration
To mark the Christmas story, pupils from Hanford Prep participate in carol services in local villages and churches, welcomed by local groups to support this important moment in the Christian calendar. In addition to this, Hanford Prep’s support for a local church Christmas tree festival is much appreciated and anticipated.
To mark the Christmas story, pupils from Hanford Prep participate in carol services in local villages and churches, welcomed by local groups to support this important moment in the Christian calendar. In addition to this, Hanford Prep’s support for a local church Christmas tree festival is much appreciated and anticipated.
Nursing home visits
Pupils from Hanford Prep visit the local nursing home … twice a year.
Pupils from Hanford Prep visit the local nursing home … twice a year.
Retiring chapel collection
Every Sunday’s service in the school chapel has a retiring collection for a charity chosen by the pupils. At the moment, the charity being supported by the collections is Down Syndrome UK, and as such, money is raised every week by the pupils to support this important charity.
Every Sunday’s service in the school chapel has a retiring collection for a charity chosen by the pupils. At the moment, the charity being supported by the collections is Down Syndrome UK, and as such, money is raised every week by the pupils to support this important charity.
The charity is chosen by pupils who vote as part of a Year 7 public speaking competition, at which Year 7 pupils present a speech to persuade the school’s pupils to choose a charity of their choice.
Local school engagement
Through the year, pupils from local primary schools are invited to take part in workshops, watch school performances and take part in sporting events, such as a recent cross-country event for pupils in Years 3 to 8. Working with local schools is an important part of life at Hanford, and we always welcome opportunities to do so.
Through the year, pupils from local primary schools are invited to take part in workshops, watch school performances and take part in sporting events, such as a recent cross-country event for pupils in Years 3 to 8. Working with local schools is an important part of life at Hanford, and we always welcome opportunities to do so.
Open Garden Schemes
Our idyllic countryside setting at Hanford make us lucky enough to celebrate our beautiful gardens at both the National Garden Scheme event and the St Margaret’s Hospice Garden Scheme each summer. Girls and parents – as well as staff – work throughout the year to maintain these special gardens, and money is raised for charity through their opening to the public.
Our idyllic countryside setting at Hanford make us lucky enough to celebrate our beautiful gardens at both the National Garden Scheme event and the St Margaret’s Hospice Garden Scheme each summer. Girls and parents – as well as staff – work throughout the year to maintain these special gardens, and money is raised for charity through their opening to the public.
Dorset Hedgehog Rescue
Being a school at which animals hold a special importance, pupils support the Dorset Hedgehog Rescue charity by preparing bedding for the hedgehogs who are rescued by this local charity.
Being a school at which animals hold a special importance, pupils support the Dorset Hedgehog Rescue charity by preparing bedding for the hedgehogs who are rescued by this local charity.
McMillan Coffee Morning
Coffee mornings are held at the school on the event of school performances in order to support the work of such a special charity raising funds to support those with cancer and their families.
Coffee mornings are held at the school on the event of school performances in order to support the work of such a special charity raising funds to support those with cancer and their families.
