Dorset House School, Pulborough | The Good Schools Guide

Dorset House School
The Manor
Bury
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 1PB
Head: Mr Matt Thomas M.Ed, BA (Ed), FRGS
T 01798 831456
F 01798 831141
E [email protected]
W www.dorsethouseschool.com
An independent school for boys and girls aged from 4 to 13.
Boarding: Yes
Local authority: West Sussex
Pupils: 144
Religion: Church of England/Christian
Fees: Day £8,982- £17,850 pa; Boarding £105 per week (4 nights)
Open days: Termly - please call the school for details
Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
ISI report: View the ISI report

What The Good Schools Guide says..

Science and English were repeatedly mentioned by parents and pupils as exceptionally well taught, the science teacher described by one as ‘barmy - in brilliant exciting way’, and indeed we have seldom met a more enthusiastic teacher, describing humans as ‘scientists from the moment we’re born…’ , keen to describe the delights of blowing up jelly babies in the fume cupboard (to show how cells use energy)...

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What the school says...

I graduated from St Luke’s, Exeter University with a BA (Ed) in PE, Geography and Education Studies in 1995. Since then, I have had experience in a wide variety of roles and types of school which has included teaching GCSE and A level in the maintained sector, being designated as a Lead Teacher for two education authorities and various positions in independent schools. I was Deputy Head (Academic) at Moulsford Prep School before being appointed as Headmaster of Dorset House. I completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2015.
I am married to Julie and a father of two; Charlie and Isabella both of whom go to DH.
Mountains are something of a passion for me and I have visited Nepal three times, trekking in the Himalayan foothills and on the Tibetan Plateau; I have also climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. I run regularly and have competed in half, marathon and ultra- marathon distances. I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and attend the Monday evening lectures at the Society’s Headquarters in Kensington Gore when I can. ...Read more

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What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2017, Matt Thomas, formerly deputy head of Moulsford, and previously taught in two challenging comprehensives ‘where you need a huge box of skills’. Degree in PE, geography and education studies from St Luke's Exeter. Married to Julie, with two children. The head was attracted to the school by the mud - ‘it’s outdoorsy - how schools should be’.

The head’s most important quality for pupils to gain at DH is confidence. He’s by the gate every morning to greet the children - just as important is for them to return his greeting, and make eye contact; pupils are expected to shake hands firmly each Friday before they receive their tuck voucher. The emphasis on manners and respect is matched by a warm friendliness between pupils and head, pupils saying: ‘the...

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Special Education Needs

At Dorset House School, we are committed to providing a learning environment that enables all our pupils to experience success in learning and attain their full academic potential. For some pupils their ability to learn is influenced by the presence of a learning difficulty. Many of these students are bright, enquiring individuals who can learn successfully if a variety of strategies are put in place. This will often mean the use of a differentiated curriculum in the classroom and steps are taken to assess, plan and review, so that appropriate action can be taken to support each child – for example in literacy, numeracy, gross and fine motor skills and other aspects such as study skills. We aim to meet the individual needs of all pupils and, where necessary, provide additional support for them. A small team of well-qualified and experienced learning development teachers are committed to building self-confidence in their pupils, communicating with their parents, and co-ordinating with teaching staff and outside professional agencies as necessary (eg educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists).

Condition	Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia	Y
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty	Y
VI - Visual Impairment

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