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3. The accommodation offered at Prior's Court School.
Prior's Court has residential accommodation for up to 67 young people from 5 to
19 years of age with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs. It is coeducational
with residential accommodation for young people on a range of
placements: 38 weekly and termly, 44 weekly and termly, and 52 weeks.
There are currently 12 residential homes at Prior's Court School. One of the
homes provides two self-contained living and learning facilities specifically
designed to support young people during a period of additional need or crisis.
All homes are designed to provide a comfortable and homely environment that is
also autistim-specific and suited to the age and needs of the children and young
people with carefully organised, clearly defined areas (e.g. for socialising, play
and relaxation, food preparation, group or individual activities) and visual and
physical structure as appropriate to support and encourage independence.
Young people are assessed and grouped according to age, ability and
compatibility and provided with accommodation which is varied to reflect a range
of the young person's needs. Some of the residential homes are purpose-built
and designed to provide a more spacious environment while other homes are
smaller and better suited to young people who prefer a small group home.
Every young person has their own bedroom which can be personalised to meet
their needs and preferences for soft furnishings, pictures, toys or music,
computer equipment or other items. Epilepsy monitoring systems are provided,
where required.
Each home has a shared kitchen and dining room or dining area for snack and
meal preparation, as part of the young people's living skills development. Meals
are also taken in the spacious, purpose-built main dining room which enables
young people to eat with their class and house as family groups in a social
setting. Kitchens and dining areas within each house and in the main dining room
are carefully structured to encourage and support young people's developing
independence. The young people dine as a family group and staff eat with young
people to model behaviour.
Each home has an enclosed garden, a living room and an area for activities.
Many of the homes have a separate quiet room or sensory room. There are ensuite
or shared (single-sex) bathrooms.
All homes are able to access the wide range of facilities available at Prior's Court
school which include multi-sensory rooms, soft play areas, swimming pool, youth
club, kitchen garden and horticulture area, stableyard for animal husbandry,
indoor gym, outdoor gym equipment, all-weather track, outdoor play equipment,
a music circle, woods, and grounds of around 50 acres.