Opportunities for creative experiences

Involving our young people in the arts is a crucial part of our curriculum. We offer regular opportunities to explore art, music, dance and drama, in a supportive and encouraging environment. Up to 80% of young people at Prior's Court are preverbal and our arts provision offers a powerful means of communicating needs, expressions and feelings. 

All young people have access to experiences in all arts subjects in each year of the school as well as our young adult provision, whatever their background or ability. Creativity is not bound by language or social conventions but can be expressed in many alternative sensory and communicative forms.

Read how through drumming workshops, which were added to our curriculum in 2019, music has changed the lives of two of our young people:

There are regular opportunities throughout the year for young people to enjoy arts related activities, for example: creating lanterns for Chinese New Year, musical performances for St Patrick's Day and theatrical performances by touring theatre company M&M Theatricals.

You can also find out more about how we respect and celebrate culture, with young people engaging with the arts for cultural festivals and events.

Artsmark

We are delighted that Prior's Court has been awarded Artsmark Gold for the second time. Artsmark is an award from the Arts Council of England, "inspiring learning through arts by giving every child the opportunity to create, compose, and perform, gain knowledge and understanding."

Prior's Court Founding Patron, Dame Stephanie Shirley CH believed in the benefit of art to our young people and has enriched the environment with sculptures and paintings that provide multisensory experiences for all.

We also support young people to embrace dance through our work with a Dance and Movement Therapist. The core principles of ‘Dance therapy’ including mirroring, attunement and embodiment are used to support students to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship within a safe environment.

...children and young people have continuous access to a wider range of challenging arts and cultural experiences that are stretching their knowledge, skills and understanding.

Artsmark Gold Award 2019

Read more about Functional Academics