Ages 
An absolute first-in-class state comprehensive school, as echoed in multiple comments from parents including this: ‘The Thomas Hardye School has been the most amazing educational experience for our family, giving my children, who are all very different, incredible academic results, phenomenal pastoral support and a wealth of extracurricular experiences. We literally couldn’t have asked for more.’ The icing on the cake, this from one of our sixth form tour guides: ‘I found my friends for life, followed my passions and am leaving with a real sense of accomplishment and purpose.’
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 2,051 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 719 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Nick Rutherford
Since 2021, Nick Rutherford, formerly head of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy in Hackney, London. An effusive, warm and candid head, whose experience working at and subsequently leading one of the flagship academies set up in the deprived borough of
Entrance
Dorset is split between two- and three-tiered schooling systems with Dorchester following the three-tiered approach. The Thomas Hardye School takes pupils from year 9 and runs through to the end of sixth form in year 13. It is the natural progression
Exit
Around one third of the year group leaves post GCSE, mostly those seeking professional rural qualifications at nearby Kingston Maurward agricultural college or a broader offering of BTEC studies at the sixth form colleges in Bournemouth and Poole,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 30 per cent 9-7 at GCSE (47 per cent 9-6) and 72 per cent achieving grade 4-9 in both English and maths. 28 per cent A*/A at A level (68 per cent A*-C).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Lessons were upbeat with teachers prioritising a fast-paced and chatty style that kept large classes quiet and engaged. When we asked if the calm, attentive classrooms that we’d experienced were a special treat for our visit, we were swiftly
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Sixth form
Come sixth form, class sizes are smaller and academic expectations high. With a choice of 35 A levels, including subjects as varied as dance and early modern history, there is plenty on offer. Psychology and maths rate amongst the most popular but a
Learning support & SEN
Parents were unanimous in their praise for the SEN provision at the school: ‘Whatever layer of support you need, it is given here, and it is utterly tailored to your child.’ From dining hall passes to enable them to avoid the noise and crowds of
Arts & extracurricular
Impressive, well-equipped facilities and myriad opportunities to immerse yourself in all manner of clubs make this school a standout option for both the arts and extracurricular options. Duke of Edinburgh and CCF both offered, and the head is looking
Sport
Not one but two fully kitted sports centres form the heart of the sports offering here. With climbing walls, line after line of ping-pong tables, fitness suites and two bright dance studios, it’s obvious that there’s more to sport here than your
Ethos & heritage
A huge site of pristine Victorian and modern red-brick buildings, the overall feeling here is of a well-maintained, clean and spacious campus. Formed originally by local landowner Thomas Hardye (not to be confused with the author of a similar name)
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pupils feel respected and well looked after here. Not only are there clear pathways for pupils to follow when looking for pastoral support, including an anonymous email address, but we were told multiple times that the ‘teachers are really
Pupils & parents
A vast mix of families use this school from across the Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole and Bridport area and it is widely accepted as the best state secondary in the region. Parents are actively encouraged to get involved in the school through the parent
The last word
An absolute first-in-class state comprehensive school, as echoed in multiple comments from parents including this: ‘The Thomas Hardye School has been the most amazing educational experience for our family, giving my children, who are all very
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection:
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
