Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Prior's Court - Autism Education and Care Charity
Careers Family Information Contact us Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Join our team
  • Our education & residential care
  • About us
  • Help improve young people's lives
  • Knowledge hub
  • News & events
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About us
  2. Our people
  3. Senior Management

Senior Management

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.

Ryan Campbell - Chief Executive Officer at Prior's Court

Expand

Ryan Campbell CBE joined Prior's Court as our Chief Executive Officer in July 2023.

Ryan has been a leader in the charity sector for over 18 years, most recently before joining Prior's Court as the CEO of Hampshire-based Treloar’s, a provider of education for physically disabled people with complex needs.

Ryan has also been the CEO of Demelza Hospice Care for Children, which offers palliative care for children and young people; as well as CEO of an organisation providing clinical, mental health and substance misuse services to young people and adults.

In 2018, Ryan was awarded a CBE for services to mental health provisions.

Published: 22nd December, 2020

Updated: 19th October, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Sue Piper - Director of Young People's 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 Learning she oversees the learning for all young people across the provision.

Sue continues to train others in her capacity as an Advanced Consultant TEACCH Trainer and has spoken at international conferences in the USA and China.

Published: 24th December, 2020

Updated: 26th January, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Nicola Beckley - Director of Services

Expand

Nicola joined Prior’s Court in March 2016 and is responsible for leading all of Prior's Court's support services including HR, Recruitment, Estates, Fundraising, Marketing, and Workforce Planning.

Nicola brings over 20 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: 25th December, 2020

Updated: 23rd December, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Natalie Boothroyd - Interim Director of Wellbeing

Expand

Natalie has over 20 years knowledge working in the health and social care sector. In this time she has opened two special schools for children with complex needs and six registered children’s homes and supported living accommodations across the UK. All schools and residential services were recognised as 'good' or 'outstanding' by their relevant statutory bodies.

Natalie is a registered learning disability nurse, and has completed her diagnostic training in autism. She has worked alongside National Autistic Society (NAS) and completed her Masters module in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Natalie was a Learning Disability nurse in inpatients at the start of her career, and has worked closely within recent years to prevent young people requiring Tier 4 services.

Natalie also clinically oversees the nursing department here at Prior's Court.

Published: 14th January, 2021

Updated: 9th October, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Helen Franks - Head of Young People's Learning

Expand

Helen joined Prior’s Court in January 2019, having worked in special education supporting pupils, predominantly with ASD, for more than twenty 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 young people with autism, 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 young people with autism. For a number of years she was an instructor for EarlyBird - an National Autistic Society course for parents of pre-school children with a recent diagnosis of autism.

As a keen reader, Helen is passionate in 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 our young people to develop their own skills to manage their behaviours.

Published: 15th January, 2021

Updated: 22nd December, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Kate Lefever - Head of HR and Training

Expand

Kate joined Priors Court in May 2019 after gaining over 20 years + experience across a variety of commercial companies including Real Estate, Retail, Healthcare and Management Consultancy.

She has a strong HR generalist background working at a strategic and operational level. Her responsibility is to manage and oversee the HR and Learning and Development teams in order to deliver the strategic HR and L&D objectives for Prior's Court.

Published: 25th January, 2022

Updated: 22nd December, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Niamh Chippendale - Director of Finance

Expand

Niamh joined Prior's Court in July 2019 and now manages the finance team to ensure financial reporting requirements are met, as well as driving operational efficiencies and support the forecasting and strategic planning.

She has over 25 years’ experience of working within the finance function in a number of industries providing financial knowledge and support to businesses.

Published: 25th January, 2022

Updated: 22nd December, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Mark Bailey - Head of Service Management

Expand

Mark joined Prior’s Court in May 2019 after a broad and successful career in Estates, Capital Projects and Project management. Mark brings a wealth of positive change management experience, working in independent education, commercial and charity sectors.

He is responsible for leading Prior’s Courts Estates, IT, Resources and Capital Projects services, supporting the organisation to achieve its key development targets, and significantly improve the lives of Young People with complex autism.

Published: 25th January, 2022

Updated: 22nd December, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Lynsey Preston - interim Director of Safeguarding and Health and Safety

Expand

Lynsey has over 20 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 the safeguarding of our young people across the whole provision.

Published: 25th January, 2022

Updated: 9th October, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Latest

  • Jamie rehearses 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'

    Jamie rehearses 'We wish you a Merry Christmas'

    Prior's Court young person Jamie, who has complex autism, delivered a fantastic performance of 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' complete with signs during his music lesson.

  • Panto visit answers the burning question, 'Can Bears ski?'

    Panto visit answers the burning question, 'Can Bears ski?'

    Our Lower School strapped on their metaphorical ski boots for a trip to Arlington Arts Centre for a fantastic rendition of the panto, 'Can Bears Ski?'

  • Lighting up an evening with a trip to Windsor Great Park Illuminated

    Lighting up an evening with a trip to Windsor Great Park Illuminated

    A group of Prior's Court's young adults ramped up the Christmas spirit with a trip to the amazing Windsor Great Park Illuminated.

  • First mince pies of the season baked in our bakery

    First mince pies of the season baked in our bakery

    It is beginning to smell a lot like Christmas at Prior's Court with the first mince pies of the season being made in the Prior's Court bakery.

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 our young people to thrive.

  • Team Manager - Care

    Team Manager - Care

    Using your experience of autism and care, you will be responsible for being a practice lead and for the day-to-day organisation of a team of autism professionals.

  • Our purpose and ambition

    Our purpose and ambition

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

  • Learning Autism Practitioner

    Learning Autism Practitioner

    Term-time only opportunities, supporting young people with complex autism in a range of ages.

  • Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Autism Practitioner - Nights

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

  • 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.

  • 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 our young people.

  • Term dates

    Term dates

    Prior's Court School term dates and school times

  • Admissions

    Admissions

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

  • Drivers

    Drivers

    Minibus drivers needed across shifts throughout day and night to drive Prior's Court vehicles for staff collection and drop-offs, ensuring a punctual, reliable and safe service.

Why we exist

Why we exist

The young people at Prior’s Court are all affected by their autism to a complex degree. 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 young people with complex autism 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: 19th October, 2023

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 children and young people with complex autism. We are incredibly grateful for your support, thank you. For major gifts, please contact us directly. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 6th April, 2022

Updated: 3rd August, 2023

Author:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

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

Discover more

  • Contact us
  • Job vacancies
  • Term dates


Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Useful links

  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility
  • Full sitemap

© 2022 Prior’s Court | All rights reserved | Registered charity no. 1070227

Manage Cookie Preferences