Celebrating Excellence: Thomas Hardye Music Department Reaches National Finals
- whatson1
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Brilliant news for Poundbury families whose children attend Thomas Hardye School - the music department has been shortlisted for 'Outstanding School Music Department' at the national Music and Drama Education Awards 2026, making it into the final nine schools across the entire UK.
A Musical Powerhouse on Our Doorstep
What does this mean in practice? More than 200 students are learning instruments or voice, over 250 participating in weekly ensembles ranging from orchestras and jazz bands to choirs and rock groups. Seventy students studying GCSE Music, 25 taking A Levels, with several heading to university music courses or conservatoires.
For Poundbury families, this means our children benefit from genuinely outstanding music education as part of their everyday school experience.
Impact Beyond the School Gates
Thomas Hardye isn't just focused inward. As a lead school for the Octagon Music Hub, they're supporting musical opportunities across Dorset and Somerset. This term alone, they've hosted the Dorchester Young Musician Festival for over 100 young performers and brought in professional musicians from the renowned Gabrieli Consort for collaborative projects.
Coming up this month: 90 students will perform at Poole Lighthouse with musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra - the kind of opportunity that builds confidence, skill, and lifelong passion for the arts.
Why It Matters
Music education develops so much more than musical ability - it builds confidence, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. Knowing Poundbury's young people have access to this level of excellence, just down the road, is genuinely worth celebrating.
Congratulations to Ben Trevorrow, Hanna Trevorrow, and the entire music team at Thomas Hardye School. You're making our community proud!
Read the full story in the Dorset Echo. Those interested in supporting the music programme can find more information at music.wessex.ac
More information about schools and education in the Dorchester area is here.