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  1. Support us

Help improve young people's lives

Prior’s Court is a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of autistic young people with complex needs. It can be difficult to know what life is like for the young people at Prior's Court - 85% of the young people we support are non-verbal and therefore are unable to communicate their wants, needs and emotions. On average, young people at Prior's Court have at least four other diagnosable conditions and experience extreme anxiety which psychologically and physically impacts their quality of life. All young people at Prior’s Court have as a minimum one-to-one care.

Places at Prior’s Court are local government funded, this covers the young people’s residential care and learning needs. What this doesn’t cover is specialist equipment such as a sensory swimming pool, fun days out like a trip to Thorpe Park, tailored facilities such as our residential homes designed with autism in mind, an onsite Countryside Learning Centre, a bakery to learn work skills and the opportunity to have extraordinary experiences. Prior’s Court is ambitious and strives to provide the best possible care, equipment, facilities and events, and we rely on incredible supporters to make these ambitions become a reality for young people.

Our appeals

Our appeals

Fundraising appeals to transform the lives of autistic young people with complex needs at Prior's Court. Read more

Published: 4th February, 2021

Updated: 2nd April, 2024

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Donate

Donate

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. Read more

Published: 3rd February, 2021

Updated: 2nd April, 2024

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Corporate and Community support

Corporate and Community support

How your business or community group can support our work as a charity and help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in the country. Read more

Published: 2nd February, 2021

Updated: 22nd January, 2025

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Trusts and Foundations

Trusts and Foundations

Grants and support from Charitable Trusts and Foundations enable our charity to provide vital opportunities for autistic young people with complex needs. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2021

Updated: 12th May, 2026

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Why support us?

Why support us?

Fundraise for us and help change lives and build brighter futures for autistic young people with complex needs. Read more

Published: 1st January, 2021

Updated: 12th May, 2026

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Fundraising events

Fundraising events

Fundraising events you can get involved with to support our charity. Read more

Published: 17th December, 2020

Updated: 20th June, 2023

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Impact Report

Impact Report

Our Impact Report, details achievements in the preceding academic year - both Prior's Court's impact on the young people we support over the year, and the impact our corporate supporters, donors, fundraisers and other backers have had on Prior's Court in the same time period. Read more

Published: 4th December, 2020

Updated: 17th February, 2026

Author: Dan Whiteway

Other ways to get involved

Other ways to get involved

How you can raise funds for or donate to Prior's Court and make a difference to the lives of autistic young people with complex needs supported by our charity. Read more

Published: 31st January, 2020

Updated: 28th May, 2026

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

Back to top

Latest

  • Dexter and Otto's hair cut success

    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

    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

    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'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.

Most read

  • Autism Practitioner

    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

    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 purpose and ambition

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

  • Admissions

    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: 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

    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

    Term dates

    Prior's Court School term dates and school times

  • Autism Practitioner - Weekends

    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

    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

    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

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

Published: 24th February, 2021

Updated: 2nd April, 2024

Author: Rachel Drinkwater

General donations

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 Fundraise

Published: 4th November, 2025

Updated: 23rd April, 2026

Author:

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Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

Tel: +44 (0)1635 247202
Email: [email protected]

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