The Thomas Hardye School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 13 to 18
Ofsted judgements: Good

Queen's Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ETOpen in maps

The Thomas Hardye School is a secondary school in Dorchester for ages 13 to 18. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. It ranks 2nd of 18 secondary schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 February 2025, report published 12 March 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

439 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score49.8

49.8, 3.7 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths49.9%

49.9%, 4.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71.1%

71.1%, 6.3 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc58.1%

58.1%, 17.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.48

4.48, 0.39 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

336 students

Average point score per A level entry34.81

34.81, 0.19 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

2,014 pupils on roll, with places for 2,138

Eligible for free school meals13.2%

13.2%, 13.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.8%

6.8%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.3%

17.3%, 2.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.2%

4.2%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Thomas Hardye School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Dorset Studio School2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 34.1
Wey Valley Academy5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.0
Budmouth Academy Weymouth7 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 42.0
All Saints' Church of England Academy8 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 35.6
Milton Abbey School11 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 21.9

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
13 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr N St J F Rutherford
Phone
01305266064
Website
ths.wessex.ac
Address
Queen's Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ET
Local authority
Dorset
URN
137163

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.