Thomas Hardye school Dorchester

[RosieLeaLovesTea]

Hi all
We are planning to move to Dorchester area. Thomas Hardye school would be our catchment secondary school. Does anyone have local knowledge on the school? From previous posts it appears to have a good reputation. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Gets fantastic reviews . I know a headteacher (different area) whose kids are there.

It's long been known as one of the best state schools in the country, with good reason. Definitely consider it.

It’s fantastic- a great 6th form

Name changed for this - my dc are at the school and I'm very happy with it. Feel free to ask me anything in DMs if you want any specific info.

Mine were also there and I was so disappointed with it, especially the sciences. If you have a very bright, motivated child you might be fine. If not I’d look elsewhere.

Took my eldest daughter out at Y11 for a private 6th form as just not good enough communication or support from school and she’s now Y1 at Cambridge.

The previous Head who left was good, hence the ofsted rating, but it’s a huge school and can go down very quickly if not well managed. I’ll be interested to see after the next inspection.

Interesting post Member. I am also a THS parent and agree that science lets the school down. Overall it’s a really good school with some excellent teaching but science is a poor department.
I will also be interested to see what happens after the next Ofsted. The new headteacher doesn’t appear to be a patch on the last one. He has already got rid of a popular “college” system for no apparent reason whatsoever and i am hearing more and more rumblings about his anonymity (and love of his mobile phone)

Yes, the doing away with the college system is very annoying! Glad now that my dc are in 6th form and it won't affect them - it was such a good system and meant that they had a continuity of pastoral care that won't now be the case.

(With apologies for hijacking your thread Rosie) - there is currently a parental survey out for THS and I have made sure to include my comments around the loss of the college system on there. Probably all too late but not sure what else I can do! Please do consider responding too @ThomasHardyeParent - you never know

@Member786495 @AnotheTHSParent
Would you mind expanding on why you found the sciences at the school so poor please?
I am panicking as my daughter has applied to their sixth form to do all three sciences at a level.

We are in Weymouth and have no experience of the school and am now concerned this may not be in her best interest

Interesting to hear how it's gone downhill :/
Great name btw @RossisIceCreamFan

Hi @RossisIceCreamFan , also in Weymouth. It’s a while ago now but I worked with the governing body and even one of them suggested ‘in confidence’ that it was an area of concern, due predominantly to weak teaching.
thats not to say they haven’t addressed the issue by now, but if the HoD hasn’t changed then probably not.

The problem in this part of the world is recruitment in maths/science, so to a large degree all the A Level teaching in south Dorset will have similar issues. That’s not to say there aren’t excellent individuals, just that we didn’t find them…

If you’re child is academic, it really is well worth a go at one of the local independent schools that offer scholarships. Worked well for us.

@RossisIceCreamFan my experience is that quite honestly the teaching in that department isn't as consistent or as strong as in other areas. This has been coupled with some fairly average heads of department and the fact the SLT member leading science is very very weak.
BUT - since September, there has been a new head of department for science who seems much much better. I suspect it is a bit like trying to turn a juggernaut but early indications appear good.
Overall it's still a good school but it'll be interesting to see what Ofsted eventually say. The current headteacher is poor.

Hi I am struggling to get my child into 6th form at Thomas H school, he attends now, anyone else had or having problems? Seems to
be they cherry pick the best? I was under the impression all children had to stay in education now till they are 18.
How is it fair if not all children will pass at high level GCSE this is what they are saying is required….some children may be good at maths but terrible at English and lots of SEN children, how is this a fair system?

Our 2 eldest did THS for 6th form as we were out of catchment for middle school. They went to our local secondary for that.
Oldest did English, French and History...THS got her into Cambridge to read Chinese.
Our middle one did Physics, Chemistry and French and we were really impressed with the Sciences. He got to Bristol to read Physics. The 6th form had a very robust and motivated attitude to Russel Group unis, if that is what you and your children are after.
They both had memorable and inspirational teachers. We were v happy with THS but this was 8 and 6 years ago, so before new head.

All schools are selective at sixth form

the minimum grades are there to make sure the child is able access the course and will have higher chance of getting a grade at the end of it. It sits better with me when I compare it to the real world, not everyone is suited to the demands of certain jobs so it’s no different when it comes to specific a levels. Life isn’t fair I guess.

Im fairly sure the initial sign up stuff is just so they get a head start on admin/ can determine how many classes of each subject they’ll need. The actual sign up is done in September once they’ve all got their grades, they go in and see whatever subject and they get officially ‘signed on’ the course then.