Ofsted: Outstanding emoji_events #2 in Dorset public Top 14% UK

The Thomas Hardye School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr N St J F Rutherford

corporate_fareWESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

location_onDorchester, DT1 2ET

language Visit Website phone 1305266064

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Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

2,093

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Attainment 8

49.8

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GCSE Rank

#2 in Dorset

#957 of 3,216 nationally

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The Thomas Hardye School is a Academy converter secondary school in Dorchester, serving ages 13-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

The Thomas Hardye School is an academy converter in Dorchester, Dorset, admitting pupils aged 13-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 2,051 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.8, placing the school #2 in Dorset and #957 of 3,216 nationally. 49.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 36 A-level subjects. 52.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 25.9% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.05 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

49.8

Grade 5+ E&M

49.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.5%

Entering EBacc58.10%

EBacc APS4.48

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53.80%

EBacc APS4.41

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57%

EBacc APS4.32

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.6

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS4.66

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.57

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS4.83

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

326

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*8.5%

Achieving A*–A25.9%

Achieving A*–B52.5%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate95.7%

A-level subjects offered36

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.11

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

320

Retention rate94.40%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

306

Retention rate96.10%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

327

Retention rate96.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

04 February 2025

Inspection Report

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19 March 2015

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2025-02-04

S5 Inspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2015-03-19

Exempt School Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2007-10-16

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

5.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.2%(87 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 2,051 pupils. During this period, there were 105 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	2,051	105	5.1%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	2,060	93	4.5%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	2,070	86	4.2%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	2,080	101	4.9%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	2,087	74	3.5%	8.2%	4
2022/23 (Summer term)	2,093	30	1.4%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	2,093	90	4.3%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	2,094	64	3.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	2,085	33	1.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	2,103	41	1.9%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	2,119	51	2.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	2,157	47	2.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	2,166	5	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	2,171	20	0.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	2,140	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	2,140	16	0.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	2,150	22	1.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	2,084	20	1.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	2,084	26	1.2%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	2,089	14	0.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	2,101	15	0.7%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	2,118	25	1.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	2,128	39	1.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	2,113	16	0.8%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	2,110	8	0.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	2,116	12	0.6%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 104 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 96 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 81 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 39 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 33 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 12 pupils

Hearing Impairment 11 pupils

Physical Disability 11 pupils

Visual Impairment 5 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

56.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

76.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

4.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree20%

agree56%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

don't know8%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree4%

agree44%

disagree40%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree28%

agree16%

disagree8%

strongly disagree24%

don't know4%

not applicable20%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes44%

no56%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree18%

agree27%

disagree9%

strongly disagree45%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree44%

agree24%

disagree16%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree12%

agree48%

disagree24%

strongly disagree12%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree16%

agree44%

disagree28%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree52%

disagree8%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree32%

disagree16%

don't know8%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree28%

disagree24%

strongly disagree16%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes60%

no40%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Dorset

The Woodroffe School

Beaminster School

The Blandford School

Sturminster Newton High School

The Gryphon School

Lytchett Minster School