Helen Franks - School Principal

Helen joined Prior’s Court in January 2019, having worked in special education supporting pupils, predominantly with ASD, for more than 20 years, 15 of which have been in Senior Leadership roles. She has worked in both residential schools and local authority day schools, with pupils ranging in ages four to 19, and with a range of learning difficulties. She has long worked to improve provision for autistic young people, attending her first 5-day TEACCH course in the late 1990s.

As well as supporting students in her schools, Helen has previously supported families, and mainstream schools, with the practical application of strategies to support the learning and development of autistic young people. For many years she was an instructor for EarlyBird - a National Autistic Society course for parents of pre-school children with a recent diagnosis of autism.

As a keen reader herself, Helen is passionate about developing a love of reading and improving reading skills, whatever the ability of the young person. 

Helen is a Team Teach Advanced Tutor and enjoys supporting staff to empower the young people we support to develop their skills to manage their behaviours.