Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Prior's Court - Autism Education and Care Charity
Careers Family Portal Contact Become a Friend Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About us
  • Our education & residential care
  • Join our team
  • Support us
  • News & events
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • pi-25-years-of-priors-court
  1. Blog

25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

25th anniversary caps proudly worn out and about

25th anniversary caps proudly worn out and about

As Prior’s Court celebrates 25 years of supporting autistic young people with complex needs, young people themselves have been helping to mark the occasion by proudly wearing specially designed anniversary caps while out in the community. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 8th August, 2025

Updated: 11th August, 2025

Dame Stephanie Shirley on 25 years since Prior's Court School officially opened

Dame Stephanie Shirley on 25 years since Prior's Court School officially opened

Prior’s Court School opened quietly on 13 September 1999 when its first two pupils arrived. There was a more formal opening when HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the school on 23 May 2000. It was my dream realised: the school I would have wanted for my own son with complex autism. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 23rd May, 2025

Soaring above a day to remember: Capturing 25 years of Prior’s Court with drone photography

Soaring above a day to remember: Capturing 25 years of Prior’s Court with drone photography

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, this year’s Let Me Shine music festival (doubling up as a celebration event) brought together the Prior’s Court community—past and present—for a truly unforgettable day, captured in a unique way thanks to drone photography. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 6th May, 2025

Updated: 7th May, 2025

A new chapter added to our timeline

A new chapter added to our timeline

In our 25th anniversary year, we’ve updated our timeline display with a brand-new panel, capturing the story of the last five years at Prior’s Court. The timeline was originally made to celebrate our 20th anniversary and told the history of Prior's Court since 1999. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 2nd May, 2025

Updated: 7th May, 2025

Heartwarming reunions: Celebrating 25 years of Prior’s Court

Heartwarming reunions: Celebrating 25 years of Prior’s Court

Former young people and their families, and former staff members, returned to our site on Monday, 5 May to help celebrate our 25th anniversary year. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 1st May, 2025

Updated: 7th May, 2025

Planting roots for the future: A special 25th anniversary tribute

Planting roots for the future: A special 25th anniversary tribute

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, a commemorative tree was planted by a long-serving member of staff and one of the first autistic young people to be supported at Prior’s Court. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 1st May, 2025

Updated: 7th May, 2025

Commemorative caps for all staff members

Commemorative caps for all staff members

As Prior’s Court marks a significant milestone—25 years of supporting autistic young people with complex needs— all our staff members who are with us this year have received a special gift. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 17th April, 2025

Updated: 28th April, 2025

Prior's Court alumni in focus - Robert

Prior's Court alumni in focus - Robert

Throughout our 25th anniversary celebrations, we're catching up with members of Prior's Court's alumni, seeing how they are doing now and their families' memories of Prior's Court. This post is all about Robert - who was at Prior's Court from 2001 to 2011. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 23rd September, 2024

Prior's Court alumni in focus - Jamie

Prior's Court alumni in focus - Jamie

Throughout our 25th anniversary celebrations, we're catching up with members of Prior's Court's alumni, seeing how they are doing now and their families' memories of Prior's Court. This post is all about Jamie - who was at Prior's Court for five years from 2001. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 17th September, 2024

Updated: 1st October, 2024

Fundraising through the years at Prior's Court

Fundraising through the years at Prior's Court

As a charity, fundraising is a vital part of how Prior's Court operates - and over the past 25 years, tens of millions of pounds have been raised to get specialist equipment and facilities for the autistic young people we support. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 2nd September, 2024

Updated: 16th September, 2024

Staff memories of the early days of Prior's Court

Staff memories of the early days of Prior's Court

Many staff members currently at Prior's Court have been with us since the very early days - notching up 20 years or more of service at Prior's Court. Here, staff members recall their memories of those early days. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 30th August, 2024

Updated: 2nd September, 2024

The early days of Prior's Court in photos

The early days of Prior's Court in photos

Take a stroll down memory lane with a selection of photos from the very early days of Prior's Court - from constructing the site to the first young people and staff coming on board. Read more

Posted to: 25 years of Prior's Court

The 2024/25 academic year is the 25th anniversary year of Prior's Court, bookended by two important dates :

  • Friday, 13th September 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the day our doors opened to the first young people we supported.
  • Friday, 23rd May 2025 will be the 25th anniversary of the day Prior's Court School was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Between these two dates, we will be reflecting on 25 years of Prior's Court - key milestones, achievements, changes, where former Prior's Court young people are now, and more.

Published: 30th August, 2024

Updated: 2nd September, 2024

Load more Back to top

Latest

  • Newbury Racecourse 5k, 10k or Half Marathon 2026

    Newbury Racecourse 5k, 10k or Half Marathon 2026

    Take on a 5k, 10k or half marathon at one of Britain's leading horse racing venues!

  • London to Paris cycle challenge 2026

    London to Paris cycle challenge 2026

    Take on this epic cycle through the English and French countryside and support autistic young people with complex needs!

  • Snowdon at Sunrise 2026

    Snowdon at Sunrise 2026

    Looking for a unique challenge - how about climbing Snowdon at night to reach the summit around sunrise?!

  • Battersea Park Bungee Jump 2026

    Battersea Park Bungee Jump 2026

    Take a thrilling 160ft bungee jump over stunning Battersea Park, with breathtaking views of the River Thames and London skyline - all to raise vital funds that help transform the lives of autistic young people with complex needs.

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:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

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

Discover more

  • Contact us
  • Job vacancies
  • Annual Reports
  • Impact Report
  • Term dates
  • Family Information area


Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Useful links

  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility
  • Full sitemap
Fundraising Regulator badge with validation link  

© 2026 Prior’s Court | All rights reserved | Registered charity no. 1070227

Manage Cookie Preferences