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.
Sue Piper - Director of 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.
Natalie Boothroyd - Director of Care 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.
Helen Franks - School Principal Expand Helen joined Prior’s Court in January 2019, having worked in special education supporting pupils, predominantly with ASD, for more than 20 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 autistic young people, 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 autistic young people. For many years she was an instructor for EarlyBird - a National Autistic Society course for parents of pre-school children with a recent diagnosis of autism. As a keen reader herself, Helen is passionate about 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 the young people we support to develop their skills to manage their behaviours.
Emma Mackay - Registered Manager Expand Emma Mackay has a degree in sociology and women’s studies, along with 20 years of experience in the social care. This began with working with adults with learning difficulties in the community. Emma joined Prior’s Court in January 2007 as Home Manager for Charlotte House and was later promoted to Care Manager/ Registered manager of the Young Adult Provision. Emma has completed the Level 4 Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care qualification, the 5-day TEACCH programme and, more recently, The Skills for Care Well-led leadership programme.
Nickie Dunphy - Head of Young Adult Provision (Education) Expand Nickie joined Prior’s Court in 2017 as Purchasing Manager before assuming the role of Careers Lead/Job Coach Supervisor in November 2021, and then Young Person's Leading Lead in March 2023. She oversees our Vocational Skills Area of Learning. In September 2024, Nickie was appointed as Head of Young Adult Provision's Education offering. With a background in working in a variety of commercial sectors, she has experience of developing work programmes for young people with a range of learning abilities, guiding them through skills training and workplace skills. Nickie has a level 6 Careers Leader qualification.
Lynsey Preston - Director of Safeguarding and Health and Safety Expand Lynsey has over 20 years’ experience of working with autistic young people with 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 the young people we support across the whole provision and health & safety.
Emma Barnes - Young People's Learning Lead - Therapy Expand Emma joined Prior's Court in August 2018, joining the Psychology team and being a part of its change to the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), before managing the team in 2022. In May 2023 Emma became Head of Therapy and PBS, leading Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Physiotherapy, Sensory Integration, and PBS. Before joining Prior’s Court Emma had more than six years’ experience in autism and learning disabilities working in an SEN primary school, as well as in play and social groups for children and teenagers. Emma has a degree in psychology as well as a Masters in autism. Emma has completed the 5-day TEACCH course and has been a Team Teach Tutor since 2016, becoming an Advanced Tutor in 2023.