Prior's Court

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Prior's Court

Prior’s Court is a not-for-profit charity with a purpose to transform the future for autistic young people with complex needs.

Prior's Court Foundation is a UK registered charity (no. 1070227) which provides education and residential care for autistic young people with complex needs aged 5-25. The Foundation manages a School, Young Adult Provision and a training centre.

16/10/2026

Embracing Arts spent two days in the main theatre at our Piper Arts Centre, running inclusive theatre workshops for young people from every age group at Prior’s Court. The sessions focused on making connections and working together as a group, and on using drama to help young people recognise and express different feelings.

Before the visit, each young person had a social story explaining who would be coming and what would happen in the theatre, so the new faces felt a little less unfamiliar on the day. Inviting outside theatre and performance groups has been part of the plan for the Piper Arts Centre from the start, and it was brilliant to see the space used this way.

Our thanks to the Embracing Arts team for two days of fabulous interaction.

15/10/2026

Last chance to sign up for the Prior’s Court Firewalk!

On Saturday 7th November, walk barefoot across hot embers, led by twice Guinness World Record holder Scott Bell. No experience needed, and a training seminar comes first. Registration is £10, and we ask walkers to raise £150 for our Outdoor Classrooms Appeal, helping autistic young people with complex needs learn outdoors.

Pyromusical Fireworks follow from 6pm.

Book via the link in the comments👇

14/10/2026

Earlier this month, the whole of Holly Class came together for a sensory story. They sat as a group and shared the experience side by side. Settling into a shared space and staying with an activity together is a real step for our young people, and Holly have got there quickly.

Lucy Snellgrove, who shared these photos, said: “It is so lovely to see how well, in a short space of time, they have learnt to sit in a group together and share the experience of class story time.”

A big well done to the young people in Holly Class, and to everyone supporting them.

13/10/2026

Waitrose & Partners Thatcham have kindly chosen Prior’s Court as one of their Green token scheme charities between October and December!

To help us be in with the chance of a donation of £1,500 make sure to choose our token box when shopping in store. Thank you for your help.

12/10/2026

A big well done to brothers Wilfy and Peter, who took on a trip to the dentist together and managed every part of it brilliantly!

A dental visit asks a lot of many autistic young people all at once. There's a busy waiting room, bright lights, steps you can't predict and someone working very close to your face. With staff they know well beside them and visual supports showing what was coming next, the brothers waited calmly, took their turns in the chair and rounded off the trip with a treat at the café.

Wilfy deserves a special mention. Ella, Assistant Care Manager at Spring House, told us places like this are particularly hard for him, and close contact is usually the toughest part. This time he let the dentist clean his teeth with a dental tool. Ella said he was so proud of himself, and he gave the dentist a smile before he left.

Thank you to the Spring House team for planning a day that worked so well for them both.

09/10/2026

Three Prior’s Court families will be walking across hot coals on Saturday 7th November, all for the Outdoor Classrooms Appeal.

Matthew, Yana, Adam and Katy are taking on the fire walk as part of our annual fireworks night. Yana, whose son is supported by Prior’s Court, says every step across the coals is a small way of thanking the people who have walked beside her family for so many years. Adam’s son Jacob joined us in 2022, and Adam wants to give something back to the school that has changed life for the whole family.

Between them, and the other brave souls taking it on, they have already raised more than £2,500. The money will help create outdoor learning spaces that support regulation and make education more accessible for autistic young people with complex needs.

This is the first time we have hosted a fire walk, and there are still spaces if you would like to join them. You can read the full story, find their JustGiving pages and sign up via the link in the comments👇

08/10/2026

Area One of our Outdoor Classrooms is now built, and young people are already learning in it!

Originally our Main School Building was for a private school - so we continue to work to make it the best possible learning environment for our young people. Like creating outdoor classrooms spaces. Each feature has been carefully planned so young people can stay calm, feel settled and take part in learning. Going from home to the classroom should be easier too, so more young people can get to lessons each day.

We couldn't have done this without the kind people who gave to the appeal. Thank you.

Three more areas still need funding. To read about Area One and help us build the rest, visit the link in the comments below👇

06/10/2026

Sebby seems to be having a wheely good time during his Occupational Therapy sessions, he's an absolute master on the Scooter Board and it's great to see him practicing his gross motor skills in a fun and engaging way. Well done Sebby and the Therapies team!

05/10/2026

A group of young people from Todhunter House have been exploring our wide-ranging Creative Arts programme, making some fantastic puppets last week.

William, Fredi, Jamie and one of their peers made their creations and walked them around the Piper Arts Centre. The creative arts aren't just about singing and dancing, there's also a breadth of hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

Well done to the four, and to everyone who supports them!

Address

Prior's Court, Hermitage
Thatcham
RG189NU

Website

http://www.priorscourt.org.uk/

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