Home | Prior`s Court School

Sign In
Sign UpSchool Admin
Crest Photo PROFILE

Prior's Court School

Hermitage, Thatcham, Berkshire, England RG18 9NU
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 247202

Special School Co-Educational 5 - 19 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)

An independent residential special school for young people aged 5 to 19 years. The young people supported by Prior’s Court are all autistic, have moderate to severe learning difficulties, complex needs and often have several additional diagnosable conditions.

FavouriteContactProspectus
Loading photos
Drone shot of Prior's Court site
Female autism practitioner laughs outside with young person
Drone shot of Seasons gardens.
Young person in ear defenders looks at iPad with staff member in a classroom
Young person does painting at a table with adult staff member
Young person looks through ipad with autism practitioner.
Young person mucks out sheep pen.
Young person sits in a field surrounded by flowers
Young person and female staff member are relaxed on a land train
Young person sits in a classroom with staff member. He is completing an activity.
Play Video
school.pngPrior's Court School51.459948-1.298553true
 

Word From The Head

Helen Franks


Prior’s Court is a registered charity providing education and residential care for autistic young people with complex needs, aged 5-25.

Set within a 50 acre site in Berkshire with a multitude of specialist facilities for autistic young people, Prior’s Court exists to transform the lives of the autistic young people with complex needs in our care; to help them achieve the impossible and give their families the magic moments they never thought they would have.

Now 25 years on from opening in 1999, the experience, vision and passion of our Founding Patron, tech entrepreneur Dame Stephanie Shirley CH and her autistic son Giles, continues to profoundly influence what we do and why we do it.

Prior’s Court School has built a reputation for the quality and outcomes of our approach which has enabled young people, aged 5 to 20, to achieve significant progress towards a happy, healthy and more independent life, in which they can access the world of work. Prior’s Court School is recognised internationally as one of the foremost providers of autistic-specific education and care in the country, holding an Ofsted education “outstanding” ranking since 2017 and Ofsted care “good” or “outstanding” since 2010

What We Offer

  • ASDAN - Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network
  • Agriculture/Horticulture
  • Electronics
  • ICT
  • Painting/Sculpture
  • Photography
  • English
  • English As Foreign/2nd Language
  • Sign language
  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Cycling
  • Fitness Training
  • Football
  • Swimming
  • Band
  • Cooking
  • Cycling
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Horse Riding & Management
  • Horticulture
  • Music
  • Rock Climbing
  • Sailing
  • Scouts
  • Trampolining
  • Yoga
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autistic Spectrum of Disorder (ASD)
  • Dual/Multi-Sensory Impairment (DSI/MSI)
  • Epilepsy
  • Language and Communication Disorders
  • Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
  • Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
  • Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)

  • * This school operates
      52 weeks in the year.
  • After School Club
  • Coeliac/Gluten Intolerance
  • Dairy Intolerance
  • Halal
  • International Students
  • Nut Allergies
  • Special Diets
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Wrap Around Care

Admissions

  • Assessment
  • Referral by Local Authority or Social Services
  • Educational psychologist's report
  • Residential assessment
  • Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
    • All denominations welcome
    • No religious affiliation
    • English
    • Sign language

      Age Range & Fees

      Age Range5 to 19
      Annual Day Fees *£0 to £0
      Annual Weekly Boarding Fees *£0 to £0
      Annual Full Boarding Fees *£0 to £0
      * Currency: GB Pound

      Number Of Pupils

      4Day2
      80Full Boarding6
      0Weekly Boarding0
      84Total8
      Boys Girls

      Number Of Staff

      Full-time: 270
      Part-time: 230

      % Pupils Gaining
      GCSE/IGCSE Passes 5 - 9

      % Pupils Gaining
      A Level Grades A – C

      IB Score
       

      School Reviews

      Ofsted Education Inspection Report


      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


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

      Parent


      We are so thankful to Prior’s Court and count ourselves so lucky that Henry has had 15 happy years with you. The thing that shines out to us is the caring culture across the organisation and that makes such a difference. So many staff have gone the extra mile over the years and we really, really...