Ofsted

Prior's Court is currently rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted for both our Care provision in the Children's Home and for Education provision in Prior's Court School.

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted inspects and regulate services which provide education and skills for learners of all ages, as well as services that care for children and young people to ensure high standards.

Ofsted reports directly to Parliament and is independent and impartial. Find out more about Ofsted, its responsibilities and how it carries out inspections.

You can find Prior's Court School on the gov.uk compare school performance service.

Download our latest Ofsted reports:
Ofsted Education Report, February 2025	Ofsted Care Report, November 2025

Ofsted Registration Certificate - Prior's Court School

You can find our previous reports on the Ofsted website.

Ofsted education inspection

In February 2025 we were delighted to receive an outstanding rating for education in the school for the third inspection in a row, having achieved outstanding across the board in all five key assessment areas. These include leadership and management, quality of teaching, personal development and behaviour, pupil’s outcomes and sixth form provision.

Pupils flourish at this remarkable school... From the time they begin, to the moment they leave, their needs are extremely well known and met.

Ofsted Education inspection report, February 2025

Every part of the school is calm and positive. The precise and effective teaching of communication means that pupils are independent communicators. They can share their views, including their likes and dislikes. This helps pupils to stay regulated and calm. On the rare occasion that a pupil is dysregulated, they receive skilful and patient care from well-trained staff.

Ofsted Education inspection report, February 2025

Ofsted for care - Children's home inspection

In December 2025, after an inspection in November 2025, we were delighted to receive an overall outstanding rating for care - this is the first time since 2016 Prior’s Court Children’s Home received an outstanding rating (with ‘good’ ratings given each year in between).

Children with complex needs consistently make exceptional progress at this home because staff are highly skilled, child focused and dedicated to enabling every child to achieve their potential. Care for each child is highly individualised, with a strong emphasis on developing communication and independence skills. Progress is meticulously captured and monitored through detailed reports that clearly evidence the positive impact of the care provided.

Ofsted Care inspection report, November 2025

Children’s health needs are met exceptionally well by an on-site team of nurses, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists, who work closely with external professionals.

Ofsted Care inspection report, November 2025

Latest

Dexter and Otto's hair cut success

Earlier this month, two young people from Prior's Court achieved something major - they went for hair cuts out in the community. For a lot of autistic young people, haircuts can be an overwhelming experience - this is all the more so with the learning disabilities and other diagnoses of the young people we support.
Tanium enjoy a turf-filled day of volunteering

Five familiar faces (and one new one) returned to Prior’s Court yesterday to take part in a day of volunteering, battling dirt, grass, lost shoes, ants, and changeable weather conditions! Despite all of that though, they maintained their enthusiastic energy and left much grubbier but with a sense of accomplishment.
Prior’s Court Foundation response to the Government’s SEND consultation

As a specialist, not-for-profit organisation supporting autistic young people with what are generally seen as the most complex support needs, our response is grounded in our direct experience of this cohort of young people.
Henry's first holiday with Prior's Court

Henry from Dove Cottage enjoyed his first supported holiday with Prior's Court, joining Imprahim for four nights at Blackwood Forest near Winchester.

Dexter and Otto's hair cut success

Earlier this month, two young people from Prior's Court achieved something major - they went for hair cuts out in the community. For a lot of autistic young people, haircuts can be an overwhelming experience - this is all the more so with the learning disabilities and other diagnoses of the young people we support.
Tanium enjoy a turf-filled day of volunteering

Five familiar faces (and one new one) returned to Prior’s Court yesterday to take part in a day of volunteering, battling dirt, grass, lost shoes, ants, and changeable weather conditions! Despite all of that though, they maintained their enthusiastic energy and left much grubbier but with a sense of accomplishment.
It's Volunteers Week 2026!

In order to celebrate Volunteers Week 2026, Prior's Court are taking a moment to thank every group who has volunteered with us in the last 12 months.
BNP Paribas come for an afternoon of volunteering

BNP Paribas sent a group of 11 incredible volunteers to Prior's Court for an afternoon of volunteering, where they got to work weeding, hedge trimming, tidying, and continuing the path dug out in the Countryside Learning Centre started by the previous groups.
Vodafone come and work hard in our CLC

A group of six hard working volunteers from Vodafone came to Prior's Court to continue an ongoing project started by CarneySweeney last month in our Countryside Learning Centre.
Downe House School help prepare for Let Me Shine Festival

Volunteers from Downe House once again came to Prior's Court on Wednesday to lend a hand with weeding and event prep for our Let Me Shine Festival on Monday, 4th May.
Newbury Building Society host a quiz to raise money for autistic young people

The Hungerford branch of Newbury Building Society hosted a fantastic quiz at the Terrace View cafe in Hungerford in support of Prior's Court's Outdoor Classrooms Appeal. They also ran a raffle in the evening made up of generously donated prizes from businesses around Hungerford.
Newbury College students come for a day volunteering in our Young Adult Provision

Students from Newbury College visited Prior’s Court for a volunteering day within the Young Adult Provision, giving them the chance to learn more about working in a specialist care setting.
Downe House and CarneySweeney kick off volunteering in 2026

This week, we welcomed two volunteering groups from Downe House and CarneySweeney to Prior’s Court to tackle some hard work in our Countryside Learning Centre, an area of site which teaches the young people we support about animal husbandry and getting used to being around animals.
Christmas 2025 at Prior's Court

Christmas at Prior’s Court is always carefully considered, as we know this time of year can be challenging for autistic young people with complex needs. Changes to routine, increased sensory input and heightened expectations can feel overwhelming. That is why Prior’s Court strives to create bespoke Christmas experiences that each young person can enjoy on their own terms.

Autism Practitioner

We're looking for people with and without experience in care to join our dedicated support teams to help the autistic young people with complex needs we support to thrive.
Team Manager - Care

Are you an inspiring leader passionate about making a difference in the lives of autistic young people with complex needs? We’re looking for Team Managers to guide our dedicated teams of Autism Practitioners and ensure that best practices are followed, leading to the best possible outcomes for those we support.
Our purpose and ambition

Our charity's purpose and ambition to transform the future for autistic young people with complex needs.
Admissions

Find out more about joining Prior's Court School or Young Adult Provision for autistic young people with complex needs, including our admissions policies and process
The Long Road: Zac, Jenny and Peter's stories (2025)

“The Long Road; Stories of love, hope and autistic young people with complex needs” features current Prior’s Court young person Zac, and Prior’s Court ‘alumni’ Peter and Jenny, and their families. The film explores the challenges, perseverance and love that shape the lives of autistic young people with complex needs – and highlights how the right support can create lasting impact well into adulthood.
Autism Practitioner - Nights

Our night teams play a key role in improving the sleep patterns of autsitic young people with complex needs and building their independence and life-skills.
Term dates

Prior's Court School term dates and school times
Autism Practitioner - Weekends

We're looking for people with and without experience in care to join our teams working at the weekends to support autistic young people with complex needs.
Our story

The story of Prior's Court - an autism education charity inspired over 20 years ago by the experience of one parent and one autistic child.
Minibus transport service for staff

We offer our Autism Practitioners minibus transport service to and from our rural site, meaning you do not need to be able to drive to work at Prior's Court.

Why we exist

All young people at Prior's Court are autistic, have severe learning disabilities and complex needs. We strive to help them to be healthy, happy, more independent and have the opportunity to work. We aspire to transform the lives of even more autistic young people with complex needs and continually push forward with improvements and innovations to provide the best possible care. This is why we exist. Read more

General donations

Every donation to Prior's Court, no matter how big or small, will help build a brighter future for autistic children and young people with complex needs. We are incredibly grateful for your support, thank you. For major gifts, please contact us directly. Read more

Donate