A black-tie fundraising evening has marked the beginning of a partnership which will inspire students, provide new opportunities and fundraise for autistic young people with complex needs.

Prior’s Court and AGS House, one of the boarding houses at Downe House School, an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, are working together in 2024-25.

The organisations, both based in Hermitage, believe the young people they each support have a huge amount to gain from working together in the academic year.

Already the partnership has seen Downe House students access volunteering days at our site – with more to come in future.

But the partnership truly kicked off on Saturday, 16 November with the ‘AGS At Home’ fundraising evening held at Downe House with Prior’s Court’s Play Equipment Appeal the beneficiary of the evening, after it was chosen by students in the house.

The ‘AGS At Home’ fundraising event featured a raffle, theatrical performances, a performance flash mob, and more. Alongside donations by families of AGS students, the evening raised more than £10,000.

Over the course of the year, the plan is for Prior’s Court and Downe House to:

• Host “getting to know us” days at Prior’s Court for the AGS House pupils to learn more about our work.
• AGS House students to access volunteering days at our 50 acre site, with Downe House staff also being invited to take part in a volunteer/ team building day.
• Autism experts from Prior’s Court to visit Downe House to deliver talks, and a special presentation about the charity’s inspirational founder, Dame Stephanie Shirley, with a spotlight on EDI and women in business.
• Opportunities for AGS House pupils and staff to take on fundraising challenge events in aid of Prior’s Court

Natalie Norris, Prior’s Court Fundraising Manager, said: “We’ve had students from Downe House School visit us over the past year for activities and school staff have said how impactful those visits have been for them. So we’re really excited to see what this partnership will bring.

“As near neighbours, it is a great opportunity for both organisations where we hope to inspire the students in AGS house, help the autistic young people we support through fundraising and volunteering, and give new opportunities and experiences for both sides.”

Ruth Kingston, Housemistress (AGS) and Teacher of Geography, said: “AGS is thrilled to have this opportunity of creating a close relationship with Prior’s Court.

“The girls have started to volunteer and have found helping the community extremely rewarding. They are also creating a Christmas song which has been so much fun.”

The AGS at home event came three days after a volunteering visit by Downe House students to Prior’s Court where they supported the efforts of the autism charity’s Grounds team to clear leaves from across Prior’s Court’s 50 acre site.

One of the Downe House students who visited said: “Volunteering at Prior's Court was a very fun experience for me and my friends. Upon arrival, we were given a short introduction to Prior's Court and what they do for autistic children and young adults. We then got started on our leaf clearing; there were many pieces of equipment to choose from. I got a wheelbarrow! We spent an hour leaf clearing and afterwards we got some cookies and brownies!

"Thank you, Prior’s Court, for letting us help out, it helped us learn the impact such a small job can make on young people's lives.” 

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