Hanford was founded by the Reverend and Mrs Clifford Canning in 1947. Their daughter Sarah Canning took over the school from them in 1959, and owned it until 2004 when she passed it over to the charitable trust which now runs it. This rare sense of family and continuity has shaped Hanford and made it the special place it is today.

Set in 45 acres of unspoiled Dorset countryside Hanford has at its heart a beautiful listed Jacobean house, built for the Seymer family in 1622.  The Cannings, after leaving Canford School, decided that it was the ideal place for them to realise their dream of starting opening their own school. They rented the house, started the school, and in 1951, bought the property from Vivien Seymer, a descendant of the original owner. From then on, other buildings were added. Over the years, other buildings have been added. Fan’s House, given by Ingram Spencer in memory of his daughter Fan, provided the extra dormitory space that was needed as the school grew.

A beautiful Jacobean house, surrounded by lawns and formal gardens, lies at the heart of Hanford. Flowers, fruit and vegetables for the school are grown in a large walled garden, and add to the feeling of living in a family house.

Sarah Canning remains very involved with Hanford, teaching Latin, English and riding, but since September 2003 the Headmaster has been Nigel Mackay.  He lives at Hanford with his wife Sarah, four children and a very friendly dog. His two daughters have both been educated at Hanford.  Brought up and educated in Zimbabwe, he taught there for 25 years. He was Headmaster of Ruzawi School, a leading preparatory school, for 5 years before leaving Zimbabwe and coming to Hanford.  Nigel is married to Sarah, formerly Director of Music at Sunningdale School in Berkshire, before becoming Director of Music at Ruzawi where she met Nigel. She continues to teach the piano and produces a musical annually for Hanford.