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The Thomas Hardye School

Dorset, DT1 2ETSecondaryAges 13–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Feb 2025
Progress 8
+0.30
Above average
−20+2
Competition
N/A
No data
Ranking
#837
of 3,141 nationally

About The Thomas Hardye School

The Thomas Hardye School is a large state secondary in Dorset, taking pupils from age 13 to 18, and it is clearly a popular choice. With 2,051 pupils on roll against a capacity of 2,138, it is running very close to full, which suggests strong local demand. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 18. 8%, which is worth noting in the context of a school that draws from a mixed catchment. While the school does not publish its admissions criteria in this data, the sheer size and near-capacity numbers imply that securing a place is competitive, particularly for entry at Year 9. The school is non-denominational and co-educational, and it has its own sixth form, meaning students can stay on through to 18 without needing to move elsewhere. The headteacher is N St J F Rutherford, and the school sits within the Dorset local authority.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range13 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressQueen's Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2ET
HeadteacherN St J F Rutherford
Local AuthorityDorset
Number of Pupils2,051
Free School Meals (FSM)18.8%
School Capacity2,051 / 2,138 (96% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 448 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

4 Feb 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 12 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

SEN Unit
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySEN UnitOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thomas Hardye School

The Thomas Hardye School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.