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  1. About us
  2. Our people
  3. Trustees

Trustees

Prior’s Court Foundation is a charitable company registered with the Charity Commission and governed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with charity law.

The Trustees  also serve as the Directors of the Charitable Company. They are appointed by the Board for terms of up to three years and retire by rotation, with the Articles of Association ordinarily allowing them to serve up to three consecutive terms.

The Board, which may comprise up to 15 members, is responsible for the overall administration,  strategic direction and oversight of the Charity. Prior's Court's Chief Executive, Ryan Campbell, is accountable to the Board for the effective operation of the Charity, including the framework for staffing, education and residential care across the school.

The Board and sub-committees meet quarterly.

Appointed Advisers

Prior's Court Trustees are supported by three parent Appointed Advisers and two staff Appointed Advisers.

Appointed Advisers do not have any voting rights but they attend all Full Trustee meetings and other relevant committees. Their role is to act as a link between the Trustees and the groups they represent such as parent and staff advisers.

Trustee correspondence

Written correspondence should be sent to the following:

FAO Dr Stefan Fafinski, Chair of the Board of Trustees, c/o Prior's Court School, Hermitage, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9NU

Or emailed to [email protected]

Dr Stefan Fafinski DL - Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Stefan spent the first part of his career in the IT industry before completing a PhD in technology law and moving into public and prison law, where his work focuses on rehabilitation and support for vulnerable prisoners.

Until December 2025 he served as the Chair of the WCIT Charity, the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. He is Chair of The Inside Out Trust, a national charity supporting people under Probation Service supervision to rebuild their lives, and was a co-founder of the Hammersmith Academy. 

Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire in 2023, Stefan has a long record of civic and charitable service spanning justice, technology, and education.

He is also a qualified pilot, and enjoys music and sport.

Published: 10th March, 2022

Updated: 27th April, 2026

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Dr Charlotte Wilson - Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Charlotte is an Executive Headteacher of a small Multi Academy Trust with three schools in both the primary and secondary phases. All three schools host specialist units for children with special needs.

In her role as Headteacher she represents Secondary Heads on the Local Authority Funding Forum and is part of the SEND Strategic Partnership Board.

Charlotte is also a serving Ofsted Inspector specialising in both primary and secondary inspections.  

Published: 11th March, 2022

Updated: 21st April, 2026

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Debbie Fulton

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Debbie is a Registered Nurse working within the NHS, with 32 years of experience and a broad range of managerial and leadership positions.

She is currently an Executive Director of Nursing in a Mental Health and Community Trust.

Debbie is also a specialist advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Debbie holds a BA from the University of Reading and an MA in Health and Social Care management from University of West London.

Published: 17th March, 2022

Updated: 22nd December, 2022

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Colin Hayfield

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Colin Hayfield is a chartered accountant and a director of the Hypnos Limited bed group.

He is Chair of Governors at Manor Green School in Maidenhead and Chair of Trustees at The Pace Centre in Aylesbury. 

Published: 18th March, 2022

Updated: 28th August, 2025

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Carol Unwin

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A qualified engineer, Carol has spent her career in IT and Business Process Services. She now pursues a portfolio career, combining voluntary, study, consulting and small business activities.

In addition to Prior’s Court she supports students at the University of Bath through its Gold Scholars programme.

Carol is interested in how IT and the data generation can improve life experience.

Published: 21st March, 2022

Updated: 2nd January, 2026

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Neil Porter

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Neil is a Qualified Chartered Surveyor. He trained at Gooch &Wagstaff (now part of Colliers) followed by stints at CBRE and Knight Frank. In 1993, he was managing partner of a surveying practice in London’s West End dealing with all aspects of the professional and agency work. 

In 2003 he set up Levanter Properties, trading commercial assets in UK and Germany, then in 2013 Allois Properties. 

Published: 23rd January, 2023

Updated: 24th January, 2024

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Stacey Marlow

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Stacey Marlow is an HR Director with 25 years of experience in the cruise/ maritime industry, retail, finance and estate agency sectors. She is currently VP Fleet Crewing at HX - Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Stacey has worked at operational and strategic levels to deliver HR employment lifecycle activities for 2,000 to 15,000 employees.

Stacey enjoys travelling to remote destinations and watching sports.

Published: 1st October, 2024

Updated: 28th August, 2025

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Simon Keeping

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Simon Keeping has retired in 2025 from Kärcher UK where he was Managing Director for the past 20 years. During this time, the productive and ongoing relationship Kärcher has with Prior's Court began.

Following his departure from Kärcher UK, Simon plans to combine non-exec and board advisory work with his trustee role at Prior's Court, while continuing to help out on the family farm.

Published: 2nd October, 2024

Updated: 12th June, 2026

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Latest

  • Dexter and Otto's hair cut success

    Dexter and Otto's hair cut success

    Earlier this month, two young people from Prior's Court achieved something major - they went for hair cuts out in the community. For a lot of autistic young people, haircuts can be an overwhelming experience - this is all the more so with the learning disabilities and other diagnoses of the young people we support.

  • Tanium enjoy a turf-filled day of volunteering

    Tanium enjoy a turf-filled day of volunteering

    Five familiar faces (and one new one) returned to Prior’s Court yesterday to take part in a day of volunteering, battling dirt, grass, lost shoes, ants, and changeable weather conditions! Despite all of that though, they maintained their enthusiastic energy and left much grubbier but with a sense of accomplishment.

  • Prior’s Court Foundation response to the Government’s SEND consultation

    Prior’s Court Foundation response to the Government’s SEND consultation

    As a specialist, not-for-profit organisation supporting autistic young people with what are generally seen as the most complex support needs, our response is grounded in our direct experience of this cohort of young people.

  • Henry's first holiday with Prior's Court

    Henry's first holiday with Prior's Court

    Henry from Dove Cottage enjoyed his first supported holiday with Prior's Court, joining Imprahim for four nights at Blackwood Forest near Winchester.

Most read

  • Autism Practitioner

    Autism Practitioner

    We're looking for people with and without experience in care to join our dedicated support teams to help the autistic young people with complex needs we support to thrive.

  • Team Manager - Care

    Team Manager - Care

    Are you an inspiring leader passionate about making a difference in the lives of autistic young people with complex needs? We’re looking for Team Managers to guide our dedicated teams of Autism Practitioners and ensure that best practices are followed, leading to the best possible outcomes for those we support.

  • Our purpose and ambition

    Our purpose and ambition

    Our charity's purpose and ambition to transform the future for autistic young people with complex needs.

  • Admissions

    Admissions

    Find out more about joining Prior's Court School or Young Adult Provision for autistic young people with complex needs, including our admissions policies and process

  • The Long Road: Zac, Jenny and Peter's stories (2025)

    The Long Road: Zac, Jenny and Peter's stories (2025)

    “The Long Road; Stories of love, hope and autistic young people with complex needs” features current Prior’s Court young person Zac, and Prior’s Court ‘alumni’ Peter and Jenny, and their families. The film explores the challenges, perseverance and love that shape the lives of autistic young people with complex needs – and highlights how the right support can create lasting impact well into adulthood.

  • Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Autism Practitioner - Nights

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

  • Term dates

    Term dates

    Prior's Court School term dates and school times

  • Autism Practitioner - Weekends

    Autism Practitioner - Weekends

    We're looking for people with and without experience in care to join our teams working at the weekends to support autistic young people with complex needs.

  • Our story

    Our story

    The story of Prior's Court - an autism education charity inspired over 20 years ago by the experience of one parent and one autistic child.

  • Minibus transport service for staff

    Minibus transport service for staff

    We offer our Autism Practitioners minibus transport service to and from our rural site, meaning you do not need to be able to drive to work at Prior's Court.

Why we exist

Why we exist

All young people at Prior's Court are autistic, have severe learning disabilities and complex needs. We strive to help them to be healthy, happy, more independent and have the opportunity to work. We aspire to transform the lives of even more autistic young people with complex needs and continually push forward with improvements and innovations to provide the best possible care. This is why we exist. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2021

Updated: 2nd April, 2024

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

General donations

General donations

Every donation to Prior's Court, no matter how big or small, will help build a brighter future for autistic children and young people with complex needs. We are incredibly grateful for your support, thank you. For major gifts, please contact us directly. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 4th November, 2025

Updated: 23rd April, 2026

Author:

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Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

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

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