Priory Fields School, Dover

In its own words: "Welcome to Priory Fields School, part of The Whinless Down Academy Trust. Our school is set in the historic town of Dover, Kent, overlooking the beautiful Whinless Down, from which our academy, the Whinless Down Academy Trust, takes its name. We are housed in a new school building, with extensive outside space, making our school a wonderful place to learn."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include multi-sports, Lego and sewing.

In 2025, 63% of Year 6 pupils at Priory Fields School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 52% in reading and 41% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Priory Fields School as their first choice and 60 named it as one of their preferences, for 32 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Priory Fields School are Vale View Community School (0.3 miles, Good, 64% reading, 64% maths); St Martin's School (0.5 miles, Good, 73% reading, 77% maths); White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School (0.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths); and Barton Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 79% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Priory Fields School.

Priory Fields School is one of 3 schools run by Whinless Down Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 60% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

64.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 27.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (61%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 108 pupils (33.9%) received SEN support and 7 (2.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Priory Fields School had 23 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Dover Priory Rail Station, about 550 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Goschen Road (opposite), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Priory Fields School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 418 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Priory Fields School issued 51 suspensions, 15.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Priory Fields School are Dover Grammar School for Boys (0.3 miles), Astor Secondary School (0.4 miles), Dover Grammar School for Girls (0.6 miles) and St Edmund's Catholic School (0.7 miles).