Mike Robinson - Chief Executive Expand For the past eleven years Mike has specialised in the Education sector, managing large, complex organisations which include education, care and special needs. He was Managing Director of Cambian Education which has seven residential special schools for children with autism. During his time with Cambian he increased the capacity of their schools with two new facilities and three campus extensions. He was also Managing Director of Acorn Care Schools and Care Division where he introduced a new quality assurance and improvement system, increased Ofsted ratings from one to five outstanding schools and opened an award winning new school and two new children’s homes. He has also worked as a consultant on projects which include special needs services in the Middle East.
Neil Atherton - Director of Finance Expand Neil joined Prior’s Court in January 2017 and is responsible for Finance, Admissions, IT, Resources and the Prior Insight data project. As a qualified chartered management accountant he brings a breadth of experience from over twenty years working within and leading finance teams over a range of sectors. He started his career with J Sainsbury plc in a range of roles within the group, before moving into the not for profit sector working in housing, international development and educational work-based training.
Nicola Beckley - Director of HR Expand Nicola joined Prior’s Court in March 2016 and is responsible for HR, Marketing and Estates. Nicola brings over 18 years of experience working in commercial roles across various sectors including healthcare, pharmaceutical, engineering and within the education sector. With a background in HR and General Management, Nicola supports the organisation in achieving its ambitious plans for the future.
Sarah Butcher - Director of Residential Care Services Expand Sarah has more than twenty seven years’ experience in residential social work working with children and adults with autism, severe learning difficulties and complex needs. She joined Prior’s Court when it opened in 1999 as Head of Night Care, moving on to set up the Training & Development department. She is an Advanced Consultant TEACCH Trainer and was instrumental in developing the specialist approach which underpins the autism best practice at Prior’s Court. She is Prior's Court School's Registered Manager and the Child Protection Officer and devised and delivers the Safeguarding training.
Sue Piper - Director of Education and Lifelong Learning Expand Sue has a background in psychology, mainstream and special needs teaching and residential care experience with 25 years spent in the field of autism. Since she joined Prior’s Court nearly 20 years ago, she has worked as a class teacher and training consultant, before becoming a member of the senior management team. Sue completed her headship in 2011 and as the Director of Education has overseen the learning for 5-25 year olds at the school. Sue continues to train others in her capacity as an Advanced Consultant TEACCH Trainer and has spoken at international conferences in both America and China.
George Fox - Education Lead Post 16 Expand George joined Prior’s Court 18 years ago and has worked in both education and residential departments before becoming a teacher and Deputy Head. He has a lifetime experience of autism as he has a sister with autism and severe learning disabilities. He has a postgraduate qualification in Leadership in Special Schools, is an Advanced Team Teach tutor as well as qualifications specific to autism including both the five and three day TEACCH course and is a Certified TEACCH Certified Practitioner.
Lesley Copland - Education Lead Post 19 Expand Lesley has more than thirty five years’ experience in education with eighteen spent working with young people with autism as a teacher, head of department, deputy head and now Education Lead, Post 19. She was part of the team developing the Post 16 department and the 16-19 curriculum, she was part of the small team who developed the specialist approach to working with young people with autism and has developed the model for teaching and learning within the Learning Centre in the Young Adult Provision. She is one of the four Advanced Consultant TEACCH Trainers at Prior’s Court, a qualification achieved after many years working with Division TEACCH and was instrumental in developing the specialist approach which underpins the autism best practice at Prior’s Court. She also holds the Cambridge Certificate in Autism and has a postgraduate qualification in Leadership in Special Schools.
Lynsey Preston - Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing Manager. Expand Lynsey has fifteen years’ experience of working with young people with autism and complex needs having joined Prior’s Court when it opened in 1999. During this time she has worked in the School as support worker, Head of two residential homes and set up two new residential homes for post 16 students before joining the leadership team as Deputy Head of Care. Her role now encompasses students and young adults across the whole site.
Elaine Hudgell - Prior Insight – Operational Project Lead (Project Manager) Expand Elaine has been working at Prior’s Court since March 2010 and is currently employed as Operational Project Lead and Project Manager for the Prior Insight Project. Previously Elaine was employed as our Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager. Prior to working at Prior’s Court, Elaine spent over 20 years working in residential special schools for young people experiencing emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. She began her career as a support worker and worked up to the position of Registered Manager and Head of Care. She is a registered qualified Social Worker and holds an Advanced Award in Social Work. She completed a Masters’ Degree in higher education and Therapeutic Child Care and holds the Level 4 Health and Social Care Leadership and Management qualification. Elaine has completed the 5 day TEACCH programme.
Karen White - Head of Fundraising Expand Karen joined Prior’s Court in September 2018 and leads the team responsible for securing charitable income from individuals, corporates, trusts and other funders. She had previously worked for a large, national disability charity for more than 10 years, specialising in philanthropy and high value partnerships. Before entering the not for profit sector, she worked for a private family estate in Berkshire and also at the BBC.
Lynne Doherty - Head of Commercial Enterprises Expand Lynne joined Prior’s Court in September 2018 as Head of Commercial Enterprises, responsible for commercial enterprises that enable young people with autism to gain work experience. Lynne brings over 25 years of experience working in commercial, not-for-profit and public sector roles. With a background in Sales and Marketing, Lynne supports the organisation in achieving its ambitious plans for vocational opportunities for people with autism.