Policy Statement
Prior's Court School is registered for young people from 5 years to 20 years with autism and learning
disabilities. It operates as an independent co-educational residential special school which, as it provides
accommodation for a number of young people receiving up to 52 weeks placements, is therefore registered
as a children's home on the following premises:
Prior's Court School
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU
The School is owned and managed by the Prior's Court Foundation, a non-profit making charity. It is a school
approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 41 Children and Families Act 2014 allowing it
to be named in a young person's Education, Health and Care Plan.
Pupil places may be for day, 38 Week (weekly or termly), 44 Week (weekly or termly) or 52 weeks.
Prior's Court withdrew from the Section 41 approved schools list in December 2020.
The purpose of this admissions policy is to provide clarity with regard to the criteria for admissions for local
authorities, parents/carers/guardians and Prior's Court's Admissions Panel and to ensure that the process and
decisions are fair and consistent.
This policy will outline the criteria for admissions, the admissions process and the system for appeal. It has
been written with reference to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and approved by the trustees
and will be reviewed annually. It is available on the website or from Prior's Court's reception.
Admissions Process
Prior's Court School welcomes parents, carers/guardians and professionals when vacancies are available to
visit by appointment to enable families, carers and local authorities to consider whether the school might be
suitable for the young person. We encourage parents/carers to visit a range of provisions in order to get a
feel for the type of provision which may be suitable and to help in the decision-making process. We are also
able to review papers such as Education Health & Care Plans, Annual Review and other documents at this
early stage to give an early indication of whether Prior's Court might be a suitable option to consider.
An initial screening of papers is undertaken by lead practitioners who then feedback to the
Admissions Panel to establish potential suitability for Prior's Court School.
ADMISSIONS - PRIORS COURT SCHOOL
Version 1 Review Date: 30 Sep 2023