Thomas Hardye school Dorset, what's the chances of getting in if you don't go to the feeder schools

8 replies

beretpoodle · 17/11/2021 16:45

Just looking at this school and wondered if there's no hope of getting in if you didn't go to the feeder schools listed on their website.
My dc is currently at a prep school and we are thinking of moving down to dorset, ideally at the point of changeover to secondary at Thomas Hardye but noticed there is priority given to those who have attended certain primaries and wondered what the chance are of getting in if dc does not go to one.

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ZittiEBuoni · 17/11/2021 16:51

My dc both went to TH from non-feeders in year 9 - this was 3 and 4 years ago. At that time it had surplus places due to being a large school serving a small town (and wide rural area). Since then it has become increasingly popular with people living out of catchment (specifically Weymouth as the schools there have all had dreadful ofsteds within the last few years). But as long as you're in TH catchment area you'll be fine - I don't know of anyone in Dorch/villages who didn't get in.

Original poster

beretpoodle · 17/11/2021 16:55

Thanks @ZittiEBuoni that's reassuring, I will hopefully be moving into the catchment area but I wouldn't really want to uproot and move my dc to another primary school and ideally would move straight from their prep into TH.

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ZittiEBuoni · 17/11/2021 16:57

Don't be caught out by the first/middle/upper school system here though - TH starts in year 9 (I'm sure you saw that on the website but it's relatively unusual so I thought it worth pointing out).

Original poster

beretpoodle · 17/11/2021 17:10

Thanks @ZittiEBuoni yes our current school finishes in year 8 which is partly what attracted me to it.

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BendingSpoons · 21/11/2021 12:34

The only problem is you will have to apply in advance. So if you don't move until July, they may have allocated all their spaces.

salsamummy · 21/11/2021 17:43

I know all the children at Sunninghill prep down the road were not able to get places if not in catchment last year.

Original poster

beretpoodle · 21/11/2021 23:29

@salsamummy that's good to know thanks. I think of we moved would be in the catchment area.

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LotusCheesecake · 03/02/2022 21:21

Sorry bit of a delayed reaction..... but under the new head, parents have won every appeal to get kids into the school and so I wouldn't worry too much

Flip