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Prior's Court - Autism Education Charity
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  • Specialist Facilities
  1. Our Approach

Specialist Facilities

The residential accommodation and educational facilities have been carefully designed to provide a welcoming environment which reflects the special needs of pupils with autism.

The environment is adapted to be:

  • highly structured
  • calm, tranquil and low arousal
  • safe
  • provide opportunities to learn, exercise, socialise and relax onsite
  • support transitions
  • support the strong focus within our approach on physical exercise and the development of leisure and vocational skills.

Residential accommodation:

Young adult in residential settingA range of residential accommodation, including both purpose-built and carefully converted houses, has been designed to provide an adapted environment that is autistic-specific, homely and suited to the age and needs of the child. The homes are carefully organised with clearly defined areas (ie for play, snack, relaxing, group and activities) with visual and physical structure as appropriate to support and encourage independence.

Each house has comfortable living accommodation including a kitchen and dining area, sitting room and a room which can be used as a quiet or sensory room or for activities depending on the needs of the students within the house.

Each student has their own bedroom which they may personalise with soft furnishings, pictures, toys or music and computer equipment. Houses either have en-suite or shared, single-sex bathroom facilities. Each has it's own enclosed garden where students can practice their horticultural skills.

  • the residential environment is homely and structured to support the focus on building independence and learning throughout the waking day.
  • students are grouped according to age, ability and compatibility.
  • accommodation is varied to reflect a range of student needs.
  • there are between 4 and 7 students in each residential house.

Leisure, exercise and recreational facilities include:Student swimming through octopus cave during sensory story

  • 50 acres of safe parkland including 10 acre wood with sculpture trail and quiet garden
  • indoor, heated sensory swimming pool
  • all-weather activity track for walking, running, cycling, scooting, rollerskating
  • swings, trampolines, trim trail and outdoor gym equipment
  • art room and library
  • contemporary art and sculpture throughout the site gifted by Founding Patron, Dame Stephanie Shirley.

    Vocational facilities include:

    • kitchen garden and horticulture area with greenhouse, polytunnel, horticultural classroom, raised beds and vegetable plots, flower beds, fruit trees and orchard
    • Countryside Learning Centre with outdoor classroom, stableyard and paddocks housing a range of animals including pigs, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, chickens and rabbits as well as Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs as part of an Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) programme
    • IT suites that reflect an office environment to encourage and support vocational skills

      Further specialist facilities to support and extend learning:

      Student in the multi-sensory suite at Prior

        • occupational therapy room
        • multi-sensory suite with interactive multisensory and soft play rooms
        • food technology and independent living skills classroom
        • spacious, purpose built dining room that enables students and staff to eat as family groups in a social setting. Movable screens can subdivide the space and windows are high to minimise distraction.

        Staff make sure that pupils receive maximum benefit from using the school’s exceptional facilities, such as the countryside learning and horticultural areas and those very well-equipped areas that support pupils’ artistic and physical development.

        Ofsted Inspection Report, November 2017

        Wheelchair access:

        The main teaching areas are wheelchair accessible but some residential areas are not. Please contact us for further information about your specific requirements.

        Published: 13th October, 2016

        Updated: 20th June, 2019

        Author: Wendy Garstin

        Related topics:
        • Our Specialist Approach
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        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.

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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.

        • Autism Expertise

          Autism Expertise

          Part of what makes our approach so successful is the high level of expertise staff maintain. A strong focus on training ensures staff have a variety of strategies to suit the individual's needs.

        • The Waking Day

          The Waking Day

          The most crucial factor for achieving success is the consistency of approach which enables learning to take place throughout the waking day and in all settings.

        • Towards Independence

          Towards Independence

          A major focus of the curriculum is on developing independent living skills taught in a way that is meaningful and functional and provides real life experiences for students.

        • Structured Teaching

          Structured Teaching

          Using the world renowned TEACCH system we are able to support young people throughout every element of their waking day, including the layout of classrooms, work and living spaces.

        • Multi-disciplinary

          Multi-disciplinary

          Students have access to a team of onsite therapists across multiple disciplines enabling a co-ordinated and consistent programme of education and care to suit the individual's needs.

        • A Healthy, Active Life

          A Healthy, Active Life

          We believe vigorous exercise improves sleep and attention patterns, releases excess energy, provides opportunities for social interaction and is part of the repertoire for calming when agitated.

        • Behaviour Management

          Behaviour Management

          All behaviour is seen as a form of communication and is managed in a positive way, helping to substitute challenging behaviour with more appropriate behaviour and communication.

        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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        parent portal event
        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

        • A big announcement is coming on Monday... watch this space. It's teaser time. https://t.co/pkb9NjSiMZ

          5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt
        • 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

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        Prior’s Court
        Hermitage
        Thatcham
        Berkshire
        RG18 9NU

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

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