The 250th young person to be supported by Prior’s Court’s School and Young Adult Provision has started their journey with us this week.

The 250th new starter began their time at Prior’s Court on Monday – just 11 days before the 25th anniversary of the day we opened our doors to the very first young people we supported.

Sue Piper, Director of Learning who has been at Prior’s Court since 2001, said: “250 young people being supported at Prior’s Court is just the tip of the iceberg. This 250 young people leads to thousands, or even tens of thousands, of connected people being touched by Prior’s Court.

“Whether that be young people’s families or our staff and other autism professionals who have received training which has then influenced their work elsewhere with other autistic people, or donors who have contributed to our projects through seeing first-hand how young people have been supported..”

Prior’s Court opened on September 13th, 1999 with two students and 28 staff. This has now grown to 80 young people and around 500 staff members.

Sue added: “Prior’s Court was inspired by the experience of one parent and one autistic child – our Founding Patron Dame Stephanie Shirley and her son Giles.

“Each young person who has joined Prior’s Court  – from our very first day in 1999 to now – is at the heart of everything we do. The experience we have delivered from day one has always been entirely individual and celebrates each young person for their own personal achievements.

“Since 1999, we’ve built new residential homes, new buildings and areas for learning, developed our autism approach, held countless autism training sessions and so much more. But the stated aims at the time we opened – including respect for the individuality of each pupil and the development of individual strengths – have never changed.

“We’re very proud to be celebrating both the 25 years since we opened our doors and welcoming our 250th young person, but there is still so much more we want to do for autistic young people with complex needs.”

Read more about our 25th year