The Prince of Wales School
104%
Capacity
156
Pupils
5.3x
Demand
About The Prince of Wales School
The Prince of Wales School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 9. The school has 156 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (104% of 150 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated The Prince of Wales School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gary Spracklen, it falls under Dorset local authority.
The Prince of Wales School is a popular choice with families — it received 159 applications for 30 places, making it 5.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 61 were first-preference applications.
The Prince of Wales School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 92% recommending the school (72 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Prince of Wales School include Library, Outdoor Playground, Dining Hall, Playing Fields, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Gymnastics, Cricket, Dance and 2 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Science Club, Art Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 12.2%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, The Prince of Wales School is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2HH |
| Headteacher | Gary Spracklen |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 156 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.2% |
| School Capacity | 156 / 150 (104% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Jun 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 8 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Ofsted Parent View
72 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
159
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
61 families put this school as their 1st choice (38% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Prince of Wales School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester
Dorset, DT1 2HH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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