The accommodation and facilities at Prior’s Court have been carefully designed to provide a welcoming environment which reflects the needs of young people with complex autism.

The environment is adapted to be:

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

This page covers our range of educational and therapeutic facilities. Information about our residential accommodation can be found on a separate page.

Leisure, exercise and recreational facilities include:

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

“The swimming pool is a favourite of many. The warm water and colourful lighting provide a wonderful, multi-sensory experience that pupils find both relaxing and exciting.”

Ofsted Education inspection report, May 2022

Vocational facilities include:

• kitchen garden and horticulture area with greenhouse, polytunnels, horticultural classroom, raised beds and vegetable plots, flower beds, and fruit trees
• on-site orchard (currently in the growing phase of its development)
• Industry-standard bakery facilities within our bakery, Bread and Beyond
• Countryside Learning Centre with outdoor classroom, stable yard and paddocks, housing a range of farmyard animals
• Fully equipped classrooms for woodworking, metal work, pottery, and maintenance of bicycles and scooters
• IT suites that reflect an office environment to encourage and support vocational skills.
• A Careers Library with accessible information about the world of work and careers available.

“Older students benefit greatly from the extensive and considered vocational opportunities the school provides.”

Ofsted inspection report, May 2022

Further specialist facilities to support and extend learning:

• A Health & Wellbeing Hub which contains a medical treatment room to replicate external health settings, an in-house pharmacy, and two therapy engagement rooms
• a multi-sensory suite with interactive multisensory and soft play rooms
• food technology and independent living skills classroom
• hall space for assemblies, theatre performances and other performing arts usages
• a 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
• A Virtual Reality suite used for a range of purposes including sensory regulation, desensitisation, travel experiences and more.

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.

Our residential accommodation

Learn more in our virtual tour