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1. Prior's Court School
The kinds of special educational needs that are provided for:
Prior's Court School is an independent special school focussing on meeting the
needs of children and young people from 5 to 19 with autism and moderate-tosevere learning
difficulties. Based in Berkshire, students come from Local
Authorities across the UK.
Prior's Court was set up in 1999 by Dame Stephanie Shirley, an IT entrepreneur
and mother of a severely autistic son who wanted to create the school she
wished had been available when her son was young.
Some young people at Prior's Court may have other medical conditions or
additional needs such as epilepsy or ADHD. Some young people may exhibit
challenging behaviours. Many students are non-verbal, pre-verbal or have
limited functional language. Academically, the majority of students are working
below national curriculum levels. Prior's Court School has a levelling system that
replaces 'P levels' and focuses on 'I can statements'.
The school is largely residential with weekly and termly placements over 38, 44
or 52 weeks of the year; there are also a limited number of day places.
How will I know if my child/young person needs extra help or has special
educational needs?
As Prior's Court is an autism-specific school, all young people will have a
diagnosis of autism (or may be awaiting a diagnosis) and an Education Health
and Care (EHC) Plan.