IT WILL be party time at a Dorchester school as it celebrates 20 years of inspiring children in the town.

Prince of Wales School will celebrate the end of its 20th year with a birthday bash, to which former pupils, parents and staff are all invited.

The school first opened its doors in September 2014 and was opened by its namesake Prince Charles in March the following year.

Headteacher Peter Farrington has been at the helm for all 20 years and is urging people to come and join in the celebrations on Saturday, July 5.

He said: “We are celebrating the end of 20 successful years.

“Parents and families that are here can camp overnight and we are inviting past students, past parents, past governors and past staff.

“We know we have got a lot of ex members of staff that are coming back and we are inviting them to bring their memories and photos and to see how the school has changed and join in the fun.”

The entertainment all starts at 3pm and will include a children’s tea party and barbecue as well as live music and a host of entertainment including tug of war, skittles and a coconut shy.

There will also be a country fair style competition with baking, plants and photography.

Mr Farrington said: “It’s very much a party and we are hoping that ex students, parents and staff will come along to share their memories.”

Looking back two decades to when he first took on the role, Mr Farrington said he never expected to still be headteacher at the Maiden Castle Road school.

He said: “When I first came here I had no intention of staying as long as this.

“What has kept me staying for so long has been our inclusion of the physically disabled and the success that that has been and the support that we have had in that from the schools that they go onto at Dorchester Middle School and Thomas Hardye School.”

Mr Farrington said the value of their work with pupils with disabilities is put into context by the fact that a youngster who had cerebral palsy and attended the school when it first opened came back recently and is now studying for a master’s degree.

For more information about the school’s 20th anniversary event visit princeofwales.dorset.sch.uk