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
ADMISSIONS - PRIORS COURT SCHOOL
Version 1 Review Date: 30 Sep 2023