THE THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL in Dorset, Dorchester

Education Centre Information: The Thomas Hardye School:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Aided School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Closed
Local Authority: Dorset
Reason Establishment Closed: Academy Converter
Establishment Close Date: 31/07/2011
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: None
Total Pupils: 2284
Number of boys: 1122
Number of girls: 1162
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 13-18
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Special Educational Needs:

SEN Priority 1:SLCN - Speech, language and Communication

Background:

Founded in 1549, the school moved in 1995 to its present site on the outskirts of Dorchester. The school is also close to Poundbury, the Prince of Wales's model village development. Surrounded by playing fields, the school has a leisure centre which contains two swimming pools and a flood-lit Astroturf pitch. Pupils have access to a large resource centre, which has a library and multi-media section, and the whole school is linked by an intranet as well as being connected to the internet. Every teacher has a laptop computer and there are more than 500 desktop computers in the school. The school has won an award for its extra-curricular provision and pupils can choose from a range of sporting and musical clubs; also Young Enterprise and Combined Cadet Force. Music is strength; chapel choir takes part in an annual event at St Paul's and has appeared at Notre Dame in Paris and Dublin Cathedral. There is a recording and dance studio with six practice rooms. Specialist science college status, Charter mark (1998); Schools Curriculum Award (1987); Artsmark Gold (2001); Investor in People status (1992); DfES achievement award (2002); Leading Edge status (2003); Training school status (2003). 'An ethos of achievement, reflecting an aspiration that all students must be encouraged to do their best'.