Dorset House School A GSG School
- 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)...
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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Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurstpierpoint College | 2017 to 2018 | 13 | 5 | Sports Scholarship (3); Drama Scholarship; Sports Scholarship |
| Brighton College | 2017 to 2018 | 5 | 2 | Millenium Scholarship; Millennium Scholarship |
| Seaford College | 2017 to 2018 | 5 | ||
| Lancing College | 2017 | 4 | 3 | Academic Exhibition; All Rounder Scholarship; Art Scholarship |
| Wellington College | 2018 | 2 | ||
| Bedales School | 2018 | 1 | ||
| Lord Wandsworth College | 2018 | 1 | 1 | Sport Scholarship |
| Marlborough College | 2018 | 1 | ||
| Worth School | 2018 | 1 | 1 | Drama Award |
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