DORCHESTER'S Thomas Hardye School has become the only school in Dorset to gain a second prestigious Charter Mark award.

Government inspectors were so impressed by the school's GCSE results, facilities, atmosphere and surrounding scenery they have again awarded it a Charter Mark for excellence.

Just 112 schools in the UK were awarded the mark last year - only 11 of them in the South West and none in Dorset.

Thomas Hardye's Charter Mark runs on consecutively with the three-year award they won in 1998.

The inspectors were particularly impressed with the way the school actively encourages students and parents to air their views on the way things are run and remarked on the changes that have been implemented on the strength of those suggestions.

The assessors also noted the clean and tidy buildings, with disabled access throughout the school and the use of the resources available.

Assistant headteacher Richard Wheal said: "The Charter Mark is given to all sorts of organisations, including hospitals, businesses and schools.

"The inspectors come in and examine the school rigorously, looking at all our paperwork, looking all round the school and interviewing people.

"They were really impressed by the way the examination results are going up and up each year and the environment in which that all takes place.

"What we try to do is give everybody a comprehensive education with the very highest expectations - for instance, we want them to play football, but we want that team to play in the World Cup."

The inspectors' glowing report on the school also picks out the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff for mention.

It said: "Our assessor was impressed by the lively, friendly and purposeful atmosphere of your school, and the way in which students and staff behaved towards one another.

"You set and achieve very high standards in all areas of school life."

The report also praised work with the Young Enterprise scheme - which last year saw a team of youngsters selling their products in Tesco - and also the range of travel opportunities on offer to students.

To learn more about the Charter Mark, visit www.chartermark.gov.uk