The Thomas Hardye School

Contact details for the school

School Name: The Thomas Hardye School
Address: Queen's Avenue
Town/City: Dorchester
County: Dorset
Postcode: DT1 2ET
Telephone Number: 01305 266064
Website: www.ths.wessex.ac

Type of school

Phase: Secondary (ages 13-18)
Type: Academy converter
Religious Denomination: None
Admissions Policy: Non-selective
Established: 2011
Trust: Wessex Multi Academy Trust
Sponsor: Wessex Multi Academy Trust

Staff and pupils

Headteacher: Mr N St J F Rutherford
Capacity: 2138
Gender: Mixed

The following details are from a census on 15 January 2026:
Number of pupils: 2014 (46% boys & 54% girls)
Enrollment: 94% of capacity
Free school meal eligibility: 19.1%

SEN Provisions

SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
VI - Visual Impairment
HI - Hearing Impairment
SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
PD - Physical Disability
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Location and administration

URN: 137163
DfE Number: 838/4615
UKPRN: 10034818
UPRN: 200000758081
Region: South West (E12000009)
District: Dorset (E06000059)
Constituency: West Dorset (E14001575)
Electoral Ward: Dorchester West (E05012698)

Easting & Northing: 368059E, 89960N
Latitude & Longitude: 50° 42' 32.51" N 2° 27' 12.96" W
Plus Code: 9C2VPG5W+JH

External links

DfE Record: View record

Nearby schools

Dorchester Middle School (0.4km)
The Prince of Wales School (0.4km)
Damers First School (1.0km)
Sunninghill Preparatory School (1.5km)
St Osmund's Church of England Middle School (1.6km)
Dorchester Learning Centre (1.7km)
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester (1.7km)
Manor Park Church of England First School (1.8km)
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster (2.7km)
Dorset Studio School (3.6km)

Associated schools

Same trust

Same sponsor

Predecessor school†

The Thomas Hardye School

† Establishments now closed from which this school arose, or with which it has merged.

Governors

Mrs Genna Bunker - Local Governor. Appointed on 20 October 2025 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 19 October 2028.
Mr Ross Cumber - Local Governor. Appointed on 8 March 2023 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 8 July 2026.
Mrs Sophie Duke - Local Governor. Appointed on 15 January 2025 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 14 January 2029.
Mrs Lucy Erskine - Local Governor. Appointed on 9 July 2026 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 8 July 2029.
Mr Mike Faulkner - Local Governor. Appointed on 22 November 2024 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 21 November 2028.
Prof Hugh Griffiths - Local Governor. Appointed on 10 July 2024 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 9 July 2028.
Mrs Christina Hancock - Local Governor. Appointed on 20 December 2024 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 19 December 2028.
Mr Rob Heathcote - Local Governor. Appointed on 20 December 2024 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 19 December 2028.
Ms Zoe Hopkins - Local Governor. Appointed on 8 November 2023 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 7 November 2027.
Mrs Eva Lewis - Local Governor. Appointed on 8 November 2023 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 7 November 2027.
Mr Anthony Moore - Chair of Local Governing Body. Appointed on 10 July 2024 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 26 March 2026.
Ms Hilary Over - Local Governor. Appointed on 10 July 2024 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 12 February 2026.
Mr Nicholas Rutherford - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 April 2021 (Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal).
Dr Saleem Taibjee - Local Governor. Appointed on 9 July 2026 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 8 July 2029.
Dr Rachel Turberville-Smith - Chair of Local Governing Body. Appointed on 22 April 2026 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 22 April 2030.