In the sixth form, the students’ curriculum offer expands into vocational studies. This is an ambitious offer which exposes students to valuable and high-quality work experience. Students have gained bespoke accreditations in a range of vocational areas. These include ground maintenance, barista training, commercial laundry, customer service and baking in the on-site bakery.

Ofsted Education inspection report, February 2025

Vocational Learning focuses on preparing post-16 students for the world of work. Young people focus on learning vocational skills in different areas of Horticulture and Hospitality, depending on their individual skills and interests. The focus here is on learning the skills and then being able to apply them into work experiences and placements both on and off-site. 

Our Vocational Skills Area of Learning contains two key programmes of skill acquisition, each focused on employment sectors, in which young people develop skills and experiences based on their strengths and interests. Young people can access different sub-programmes of each of the two programmes. A team of specialist staff ensure all young people access a range of experiences, on-site and off-site, to practice and develop their skills.

These programmes of learning are:

Land-based 

• Orchard
• Ground maintenance
• Grounds gardening
• Plant nursery

Hospitality

• Customer service including reception and retail
• Housekeeping including commercial laundry
• Conference services including room set up and porterage
• Food and beverage incorporating our bakery, as well as café and barista training

Under each programme of learning there are skills to be learnt. These are selected based on the individual’s level of understanding and what is achievable for them. To support the learning, skill steps are used by the staff team to offer a consistent approach.

All young people regardless of which vocational pathway they follow will also be taught Readiness to Work skills to prepare them for entering the world of work. These are skills such as manual handling, wearing PPE, focus and productivity among other topics.

For more details about vocational skills, see pages 10-11 of our prospectus

For example:

Area of learning: Vocational Learning

Programme of learning: Hospitality - Food & Beverage

Learning focus: Weigh ingredients

I can statement: I can cooperate to follow recipes and add premeasured ingredients to the dough mix

Why vocational skills learning is important

Only 32% of autistic adults in the UK are in any kind of paid employment, despite over 80% stating a clear wish to work. Just 16% are in full-time employment, and for autistic young people with complex needs, the current expectation is that they will never enter the world of work.

This significantly reduces their independence, increasing the risk of social exclusion and mental and physical ill-health. We want to change the employment outlook for autistic young people.

Click here to see the value of work placements

Find out more about our curriculum

To find out more about what young people learn at Prior's Court, please contact Annette Robinson, Education and Care PA.

Email Annette See all areas of learning See our policies and key documents