THE global outlook of students at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester has helped it gain UN status.

They have taken part in special projects to secure the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Associated Schools Project Network membership.

The Queens Avenue school has become one of just 54 nationwide to boast the UNESCO connection.

Deputy headteacher Richard Wheal said: “The Thomas Hardye School has already been declared a World School by the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva.

“Being invited to become a UNESCO Associated School confirms that we are outward looking.

“It also confirms that we are keen to prepare our students for life in a complex world and a multi-cultural Britain, and that we are committed to a fully-rounded education in which outstanding achievement is but a part.”

UNESCO aims to promote quality education as well as international perspectives in schools and such values as human rights, mutual respect and cultural diversity.

Schools are encouraged to undertake projects and activities related to one or more of four study themes.

They are the UN system and UN priorities, Education for Sustainable Development, Peace and Human Rights and Intercultural Learning.

Thomas Hardye School was chosen for its work in all four areas.

Its projects include a model UN running in the sixth form and its strong links with the Jurassic Coast project.

Newly-crowned UK Young Scientist of the Year Tom Hearing’s project to measure the erosion of an ammonite-rich ledge near Lyme Regis has played a key part.

The school also has a Student Voice group which has set up projects to reduce the carbon footprint of all students in Dorchester by 10 per cent – including links with other schools.

The school sells healthy, local produce, such as ham and bacon from Pampered Pigs, and is a Fairtrade School.

Young scientist Tom is off to San Jose

UK YOUNG Scientist of the Year Thomas Hearing is off to San Jose in California to represent the country at the International Science Fair.

Thomas Hardye student Tom, aged 18, will attend the festival in May and is also due to attend British Geological Survey 75th anniversary celebrations in September.

He won the prestigious UK Young Scientist of the Year title in the National Science and Engineering Competition at the Big Bang science fair in Manchester.

He is the first winner of the title from Dorset and finished above the 200 best young scientists in the country.

Tom won the award after receiving a Nuffield Foundation Science Bursary for a summer project on coastal erosion near Lyme Regis.

Sharmila Metcalf, who is national co-ordinator for the Nuffield Science Bursary scheme, said: “I had an opportunity to chat to Tom and he thoroughly deserves the award.”