May 2026 edition

Contents:

Topic in focus - Landbased

Overview 

The Landbased-curriculum is an inclusive part of our school's learning programme, offering students meaningful experiences in horticulture and animal care. 

Aims 

Our aim is to deliver a broad and balanced learning programme that prepares students for greater independence and access to the World of Work, particularly in horticulture and animal care. 

Putting into practice  

Lower School:

  • Students explore nature through encounters with the environment.
  • Transferring science skills in plants, animals, materials and sounds from the classroom to outdoor environments. 
  • Activities include investigating insects, material identification learning basic horticultural techniques, and understanding plant growth and maintenance.
  • Progress is tracked through personalised “I can” statements. 

 Post-16:

  • Students engage in more advanced horticultural activities in plant nursery and grounds gardening.
  • Focus is placed on skill development toward accreditation (ASDAN).
  • The curriculum remains individualised, with students following structured schedules that meet their learning styles  

 YAP (Young Adult Provision)

  • Students refine their horticulture skills with increasing independence.
  • The focus shifts to preparing for internal/external work experience or employment in landbased. 

Goal:

Our Landbased programme is designed to deliver meaningful and purposeful learning that supports students' aspirations and long-term success and support their EHCP outcomes. 

ShapeSummary:

The Landbased curriculum offers a diverse and inclusive experience that supports every young person to grow, thrive, and transition into adulthood with confidence and skill. 

Starters, transitions and leavers - young people

Starters:

  • None

Leavers:

  • None

Starters, promotions and leavers - staff

Starters:

  • None

Leavers:

  • Lucy Robison - Occupational Therapist (opted not to return after a period of maternity leave. The vacancy has already been filled)
  • Andy Allen - Learning, Development and Recruitment Business Partner

Moves:

Natasha Rampton, our Head of Safeguarding, is now on maternity leave. Clare Gilmour is filling the role in the interim.

This in turn means Becky Aitken is stepping up from Assistant Care Manager to Care Manager for Millington and Henley Houses, Bridget Tahourdin moves over to cover the ACM role for these homes, and Ella Blay takes up Bridget's roles in Autumn and Spring.

Parent Forum recording

The recordings of Parent Forum meetings are now shared on the Prior Insight parent portal, via the Guidance Notes page.

The recording of the meeting held on 7 May 2026 is now available for you to access.

Confirmed dates for next TEACCH courses

Prior's Court will be hosting two 5-day hands-on TEACCH® classroom training courses in 2026/27, open to our staff members, families and external professionals. These courses will be in November and February.

There is nowhere else in the UK that hosts courses of this kind. These courses are critical to what we do at Prior’s Court – they are about empowering staff members with autism expertise so they can support your children to achieve their utmost in their time with us.

We are also hosting three 3-Day Structured Teaching courses over the coming 12 months:

Parents are invited to attend either course, if they are of interest, though a 3-Day course should be completed before the 5-Day. Parents can attend a 3-Day course at a reduced parent rate of £295 (compared to the usual £525).

Contact our Training team if of interest

Festival

A reminder the feedback form for the music festival held on Monday, 4 May remains open.

Give your feedback

Your feedback helps us see what worked well and how we can make future events even better!

Additionally. all photographs taken on the day by our freelance photographer Louise have now been added to the Prior Insight Parent Portal. These will appear under Thursday, 7 May or Friday, 8 May (the way uploading images to the platform means they do not get assigned to the date of the event).

Nut-free site reminder

This is a reminder that we are a NUT-FREE SITE. We support a number of young people with nut allergies, some of which are severe and can be life-threatening.

Parents/ carers may bring in food from home; however, this must NOT contain nuts or include products that may contain nuts.

  • Do not buy any products containing nuts or with “may contain” warnings

For some of our young people, exposure to nuts can lead to life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis). Preventing exposure is therefore a critical safeguarding responsibility, and all staff and parents play a key role in keeping the environment safe.

While we aim to minimise risk as much as possible, we cannot remove all sources completely. For example, there are hazelnut trees on site, and full removal is not feasible. This is a natural environmental factor that is out of our control; however, we can significantly reduce risk through staff awareness, vigilance, and consistent practice.

Safeguarding briefings introduced for staff

Our Safeguarding and On-call teams are putting together a series of short video explainers for staff members to reinforce our safeguarding culture and keep our standards as high as they can be.

The first explainer went out in April and was on the topic of low-level concerns -  what types of behaviour this might look like, what to do if staff have a concern and why low-level concerns matter. 

Death of Chris Barrett DL

Everyone associated with Prior’s Court was deeply saddened to learn last month of the passing of Chris Barrett DL, former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Prior's Court.

Chris served as Chair from September 2018 to December 2025, leading the organisation through a period of both significant challenge and important progress in education and care.

Dr Stefan Fafinski DL, current Chair, said: “Chris’s contribution leaves a lasting legacy, and he will be warmly remembered by all at Prior’s Court. He played an important role in shaping the organisation we are today. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Reopening of Parent Survey

The Parent Survey 2025/26 has now been reopened. Please take ten minutes to fill out the survey

Take the survey

Please note, if you completed the survey back in December, you do not need to do it again.

The survey informs our continuous improvement plans for the forthcoming year. Therefore, having it closer to the end of the academic year makes sense. This is why we have reopened the 2025/26 survey again now (after an initial run in December), rather than waiting months to conduct a 2026/27 survey in April/ May 2027 as this would be far too long of a gap.

The survey is open until Sunday, 17 May and outcomes will be communicated to you in June.

Free tickets to Autism & ADHD Show London

Prior's Court will have a stall at the Autism & ADHD Show London on Friday, 19 June and Saturday, 20 June. The event will be held at the Business Design Centre, Islington.

We have 20 complimentary visitor tickets which families are welcome to use. One ticket allows entry on either open day but not both. Please email [email protected] if you would like a complimentary ticket.

Half term activties for May and June

Our half-term activities for May and June are now booked in and confirmed. Like in previous half-terms, there will be drop-in sessions for arts and crafts, and biscuit decorating. Elsewhere, the bouncy castle will be out, there will be an end of term disco, a colour run and more.

These activities are organised by Kayleigh Rockell, our Events and Community Engagement Officer, and delivered with the support of the Care and Marketing teams.

These activities run alongside the range of interactive sessions offered by the Therapies team over the two weeks.

Weekend dance sessions in Piper Arts Centre

We now have Saturday morning dance sessions taking place in Piper Arts Centre, courtesy of Synergy Dance.

These sessions are about supporting fitness, flexibility, gross motor skills, and more through dance. Synergy Dance is an inclusive dance group which provides workouts and fitness programmes for people of all ages and abilities. 

Synergy is currently working with two homes - there will be a block of seven sessions and then we will rotate onto the next two homes.

We have been able to fund these sessions thanks to the generous donations we have received through our fundraising initiatives.

Reception refurbishment update

The refurbishment of our Reception in Court House is progressing nicely. This is a complete refresh of the flooring, decor and facilities to create a modern-feeling reception that creates the best possible impression for staff, families and visitors. 

While the temporary arrangement of a reception in a corridor in Court House is not ideal, it was the best option available and the end product for what the reception will look like will be worth it.

London Marathon places for Prior's Court

For any aspiring or experienced marathon runners out there (either yourselves as family members or in your circles), a reminder we've got available two exclusive places at the TCS London Marathon 2027 to represent Prior's Court. 

Due to the limited number of places available, we’re asking those interested to complete a short application form. Each successful applicant will need to pay a registration fee of £75 and will be asked to raise a minimum of £2,000 (excluding Gift Aid).

See more on our website

End and start of term information

End of term - Friday, 22nd May

On the last day of term, young people will be ready to go home from 14:15. 

Bags will be ready for collection in Reception, please notify Team Managers/ Assistant Care Managers of any items you would specifically like. 

Young people will be able to have a cooked lunch that day in Bradbury Hall Dining Room.

Extended provision (44-week term):

  • Extended provision week - return on Monday, 1 June

Returning to school for the start of term - Monday, 8 June

Times of arrival:

  • 10am -11am: Giles, Shirley, Millington. Summerhill, Henley house students
  • 11am - noon: Todhunter, Fleming, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring house students
  • Day pupil times as normal 

Please can all parents, carers or taxis returning children ensure that even if the main gates are open, you let Reception know of your arrival by communicating via the intercom at the gates before entering the site. This will enable us to make sure staff are aware and ready to meet you and your child.  Once on site, proceed to park in the Bradbury Hall or Seasons car parks. A staff member from the house will collect your child (and belongings) from your car.

Local hotel discount reminder

A reminder we have secured with the Orida Hotel Newbury – which is a two-minute drive from us on the M4/ A34 junction – 15% off room bookings for Prior's Court families.

Just use the discount code ‘PRIORS’ when booking online via its website or quote ‘PRIORS’ over the phone. Please note the code does not work through sites such as booking.com and will only work when booking directly with the hotel.

There will also be 10% off food at the hotel when you use this code.

This, and other information, can always be found in the Parent Information section of the website.

News on our website you may have missed

Singin' in the Rain project with Patricia Ward Kelly in Piper Arts Centre The Long Road wins a Charity Film Award Prior's Court Friends fundraising initiative launched

Events, term dates and more key information

Term dates Events this year Uniform information
Clothing labels Prior Insight Parent Portal Parent Handbook

Please remember to sign in and out at Reception on every visit to site.

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