Senior Prep

In Senior Prep we aim to inspire children to be high achievers, independent learners aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and the needs of others; self-motivated and with good personal organisation. Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTs) support daily objectives.

With no more than twenty children in each year, we aim to focus on the needs of the individual. We have a strong track record of achieving outstanding academic results. This comes from diligent and inspiring work from the highest calibre of teachers sharing the joy of learning with pupils who have a thirst for learning. Strong parental support at home has a significant role to play.

We are delighted to regularly achieve major scholarships to local independent senior schools. In the Thomas Hardye School, parents also have the option of an excellent state school in Dorchester which attracts many new families to the town.

Our pastoral care is outstanding and we pride ourselves on the togetherness we have as a school and the care and respect our pupils show for each other. As a school we have many rewards and few rules and we are incredibly proud of the wonderful behaviour our children display.

Pupils arrive in school from 8.10am. Registration takes place at 8.20am followed by a tutor period until 8.30am. The school day finishes at 4.30pm, with late stay provision until 6pm if needed.

Delicious healthy hot food is freshly prepared by our chef and her team. We encourage children to eat a healthy and balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables included.

We have whole school assemblies twice a week. These present an important opportunity for our pupils to reflect on key issues and to develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural values. Our assemblies bring together the whole school from Reception to Form Eight. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in class presentations throughout the year which help children increase confidence in public speaking. We welcome parents and grandparents to join us to see their children in action and find out about a topic or theme they have been focusing on in class.

We organise our pupils into a House system and hold regular house meetings of the different houses; Ridgeway, Maumbury, Frome and Purbeck. Each child is allocated a house when they start (siblings are put into same house – emphasising the family feel of the school) and have opportunities to compete against the other houses in school organised team events such as sports days, interhouse matches and swimming galas. In Form Eight, we give all our pupils leadership opportunities which help to further strengthen our school family.

We offer wraparound care at no additional cost for all Senior Prep pupils before (from 7.30am) and after (until 6pm) formal school hours. Breakfast and/or high tea can be ordered for a small extra charge.

We have an extensive clubs programme to encourage all our pupils to get involved. Some have an academic focus, such as scholarship, advanced maths or Mandarin; some are based on hobbies, such as cookery and chess; others are sport based such as skiing, sailing, lacrosse; and some are based on the performing arts such as dance, drama and rock band. Where necessary we use specialist instructors and believe that our clubs offer valuable opportunities to develop new skills and to take part in exciting activities.