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  1. About Us
  2. Who We Are
  3. Senior Management

Senior Management Profiles

The Leadership team provides the operational management of the school and young adult provision to support staff and students on a day to day basis. The residential and educational teams work very closely together to ensure a consistency of approach in their ethos, aims, planning and practice.

The Leadership team is supported by the Executive team who provide the strategic direction and overall management for Prior’s Court Foundation.

  • Chief Executive Officer - Mike Robinson
  • Director of Finance – Neil Atherton
  • Director of Support Services – Nicola Beckley
  • Director of Care Services – Sarah Butcher
  • Director of Education – Sue Piper
  • Head of Fundraising - Karen White
  • Head of Commercial Enterprises - Lynne Doherty
  • Prior Insight – Operational Project Lead (Project Manager) - Elaine Hudgell

Mike Robinson - Chief Executive

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CEO Mike RobinsonFor 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.

Published: 18th August, 2016

Updated: 10th December, 2019

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  • Senior Management Profiles
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Neil Atherton - Director of Finance

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Neil AthertonNeil 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.

Published: 19th August, 2016

Updated: 24th May, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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  • Senior Management Profiles
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Nicola Beckley - Director of Support Services

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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.

Published: 20th August, 2016

Updated: 2nd December, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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  • Senior Management Profiles
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Sarah Butcher - Director of Residential Care Services

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Sarah Butcher - Director of Care ServicesSarah 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.

Published: 21st August, 2016

Updated: 24th May, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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  • Senior Management Profiles
  • Young Adult Leadership Team
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Sue Piper - Director of Education and Lifelong Learning

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Sue Piper - Director of Education & Lifelong LearningSue 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.

Published: 22nd August, 2016

Updated: 11th July, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Lynsey Preston - Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing Manager.

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Lynsey Preston - Head of Young PeopleLynsey 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.

Published: 18th September, 2016

Updated: 7th November, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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George Fox - Education Lead 16 to 19 year olds

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George Fox - Deputy HeadteacherGeorge 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.

Published: 20th September, 2016

Updated: 7th November, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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  • Senior Management Profiles
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Karen White - Head of Fundraising

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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.

Published: 15th July, 2019

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

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Elaine Hudgell - Prior Insight – Operational Project Lead (Project Manager)

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Elaine Hudgell - Quality & Compliance ManagerElaine 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.

Published: 1st November, 2019

Updated: 7th November, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Showing 10 of 9

Latest

  • Taking cooking skills learnt on-site back home

    Taking cooking skills learnt on-site back home

    One of our young adults has utilised a range of skills he learnt with us over the past nine months to make delicious bread buns for his family, to the delight of his parents.

  • Learning and Development Compliance Lead

    Learning and Development Compliance Lead

    We are currently recruiting for a Learning and Development Compliance Lead to manage training compliance for the organisation.

  • Autism Practitioner

    Autism Practitioner

    We aim for our support staff to be highly trained experts in autism, that's why we call them Autism Practitioners rather than Support Workers. We are looking for individuals with and without experience in care to provide a positive learning environment for young people.

  • Learning and Development Co-ordinator

    Learning and Development Co-ordinator

    We are currently recruiting for a Learning and Development Co-Ordinator to join our dedicated team, to provide administrative support to the Learning & Development Compliance Lead.

Most read

  • Press statement; Devastating news from Prior's Court

    Press statement; Devastating news from Prior's Court

    On Thursday 11 October, Prior’s Court received a call from Thames Valley Police informing us that one of our minibuses had been involved in a serious road traffic collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the M4.

  • Contact us

    Set up in 1999, Prior's Court Foundation provides the governance and administration for Prior's Court School, Prior's Court Young Adult Provision and Prior's Court Training & Development Centre. Find out how to contact us here.

  • Autism Practitioner

    Autism Practitioner

    We aim for our support staff to be highly trained experts in autism, that's why we call them Autism Practitioners rather than Support Workers. We are looking for individuals with and without experience in care to provide a positive learning environment for young people.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Prior’s Court is dedicated to bringing the highest level of expertise to support and improve life chances for people with severe autism.

  • What we do 5-20

    What we do 5-20

    Prior's Court School is an independent special school for young people with autism aged 5 to 20 years. All students are on the autism spectrum and have moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs.

  • Family Fund

    Family Fund

    We are absolutely devastated that a road traffic collision on Thursday 11 October caused three members of staff to lose their lives while two have suffered life changing injuries. We would like to thank all those who donated or sent messages of support to those affected.

  • Let Me Shine

    Let Me Shine

    To mark World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April, Prior’s Court released a new single, ‘Let Me Shine’, to challenge perceptions of autism. Please listen to the song, watch the video and help share the message.

  • What we do 19-25

    What we do 19-25

    Prior’s Court Young Adult Provision was set up in 2011 to meet the continuing needs of young adults between the ages of 19 and 25 with autism, learning difficulties and complex needs.

  • Senior Autism Practitioner

    Senior Autism Practitioner

    Join our teams working in conjunction with the Home Management Team supporting young people with severe autism in their homes.

  • Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Our night teams play a key role in improving the sleep patterns of young people with autism and in building their independence and life-skills.

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Our Impact

Our Impact

Due to the high level and complexity of need, our priority is to ensure that young people are safe and healthy. From there we work to enable progress in all areas of their lives. Read more

Published: 17th October, 2016

Updated: 14th January, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

Related topics:
  • Our Specialist Approach

Latest tweet

  • Prior's Court plays Catch Phrase. Here's a little more! https://t.co/aoeilmG04g

    5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt
  • Let's play Catch Phrase. Exciting news coming soon https://t.co/5IvLKQxRqr

    5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt
  • It's #NationalCareersWeek so we wanted to share with you why a career at Prior's Court is a job like no other. You'… https://t.co/fQw5n0PAIZ

    2ndMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt

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Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

Tel: +44 (0)1635 247202
Email: [email protected]

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