Ryan Campbell - Chief Executive Officer at Prior's Court Expand Ryan Campbell CBE joined Prior's Court as our Chief Executive Officer in July 2023. Ryan has been a leader in the charity sector for over 18 years, most recently before joining Prior's Court as the CEO of Hampshire-based Treloar’s, a provider of education for physically disabled people with complex needs. Ryan has also been the CEO of Demelza Hospice Care for Children, which offers palliative care for children and young people; as well as CEO of an organisation providing clinical, mental health and substance misuse services to young people and adults. In 2018, Ryan was awarded a CBE for services to mental health provisions.
Natalie Boothroyd - Director of Care Expand Natalie has over 20 years knowledge working in the health and social care sector. In this time she has opened two special schools for children with complex needs and six registered children’s homes and supported living accommodations across the UK. All schools and residential services were recognised as 'good' or 'outstanding' by their relevant statutory bodies. Natalie is a registered learning disability nurse, and has completed her diagnostic training in autism. She has worked alongside National Autistic Society (NAS) and completed her Masters module in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Natalie was a Learning Disability nurse in inpatients at the start of her career, and has worked closely within recent years to prevent young people requiring Tier 4 services. Natalie also clinically oversees the nursing department here at Prior's Court.
Lisa Pothecary - Registered Manager Expand Lisa joined Prior’s Court in 2002 as a support worker, having the opportunity to have be the key worker for several young people. She went on to become a team leader and home manager, to then progressing to be part of the Leadership Team. Lisa is the Registered Manager for the Children's Home of Prior's Court School. Lisa studied Public Administration, and whilst at Prior’s Court has achieved the Diploma in Care and Leadership and has obtained the Cambridge Certificate in Autism. Lisa is trained in the 3 and 5 Day TEACCH programme and holds designated safeguarding responsibilities. Lisa has experience in working directly within our Children's Home and Young Adult Provision and has had the supported the opening and development of six new homes. Lisa has also inputted into the development, implementation and review of new systems, including key recording streams. Lisa says: “I value seeing the progression of young people and the development of team members.”
Helen Franks - School Principal Expand Helen joined Prior’s Court in January 2019, having worked in special education supporting pupils, predominantly with ASD, for more than 20 years, 15 of which have been in Senior Leadership roles. She has worked in both residential schools and local authority day schools, with pupils ranging in ages four to 19, and with a range of learning difficulties. She has long worked to improve provision for autistic young people, attending her first 5-day TEACCH course in the late 1990s. As well as supporting students in her schools, Helen has previously supported families, and mainstream schools, with the practical application of strategies to support the learning and development of autistic young people. For many years she was an instructor for EarlyBird - a National Autistic Society course for parents of pre-school children with a recent diagnosis of autism. As a keen reader herself, Helen is passionate about developing a love of reading and improving reading skills, whatever the ability of the young person. Helen is a Team Teach Advanced Tutor and enjoys supporting staff to empower the young people we support to develop their skills to manage their behaviours.
Lorraine Green - Deputy Headteacher Expand With over 30 years of experience in education across both mainstream and specialist settings, Lorraine has spent the past decade working exclusively within specialist provisions. She has developed particular expertise in early years, child development, and teaching and learning, and previously designed a bespoke SEND curriculum tailored to individual learning pathways. She joined Prior's Court as our Deputy Headteacher in January 2026. Lorraine’s extensive experience spans all key stages - primary, secondary, and Post-16 - and she is dedicated to ensuring every young person begins with clearly assessed starting points and progresses in a way that reflects their unique learning style. She is passionate about celebrating each step of progress and fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning. As of March 2026, Lorraine is completing her National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), enabling her to further strengthen her leadership and support staff in delivering high-quality provision for young people. Outside of her professional role, Lorraine enjoys the countryside and nature, so she says she feels particularly fortunate to work in a beautiful, rural setting like Prior's Court that aligns with both her personal interests and her commitment to supporting young people to thrive.
Nuno Guerreiro - Head of Lower School Expand Nuno has nearly 20 years of experience in the education sector. Nuno joined Prior's Court in 2014. Since then, he has as class teacher and subject lead for Computing, before joining the senior management team in 2023 as Young People's Learning Lead for Functional Academics. In September 2024, Nuno was appointed Head of Lower School. Nuno has a passion for innovative approaches to education, particularly with use of computer technology. He has led several projects that use technology to promote independence for young people at Prior's Court, including use of Virtual Reality headsets which made international headlines in 2019. Nuno has completed the 5-day and Beyond the Basics courses in the TEACHH methodology, and a postgraduate degree in autism awarded by AETAPI. He is also a member of the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Programme and has completed the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership.
Emma Barnes - Young People's Learning Lead - Therapy Expand Emma joined Prior's Court in August 2018, joining the Psychology team and being a part of its change to the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), before managing the team in 2022. In May 2023 Emma became Head of Therapy and PBS, leading Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Physiotherapy, Sensory Integration, and PBS. Before joining Prior’s Court Emma had more than six years’ experience in autism and learning disabilities working in an SEN primary school, as well as in play and social groups for children and teenagers. Emma has a degree in psychology as well as a Masters in autism. Emma has completed the 5-day TEACCH course and has been a Team Teach Tutor since 2016, becoming an Advanced Tutor in 2023.