Priors Court School catchment area and reviews

Priors Court School Key Information

How Does The School Perform?

Outstanding

NATIONAL AVG. 2.09

Ofsted report

(11/02/2025)

Special schools provide a unique and distinctive educational environment to meet the needs of the pupils in their community. Undertaking standard tests may not be appropriate and we do not show performance data for special schools.

View exam results via the link below and contact the school to ask about measuring pupil progress.

Performance Data

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Prior's Court Road

Hermitage

Thatcham

RG18 9NU

Website

01635247202

West Berkshire

School Description

Pupils flourish at this remarkable school. Pupils have highly complex special educational needs and/or disabilities, and nearly all are non-verbal. From the time they begin to the moment they leave, their needs are extremely well known and met. Pupils benefit from the high ambition that the school has for what they can achieve. The expert teaching and support they receive means that they achieve these ambitions well. Every part of the school is calm and positive. The precise and effective teaching of communication means 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 anxious or upset, they receive skilful and patient care from well-trained staff. Pupils start the school mostly unable to be in the same company as others. The highly adept therapeutic input and pastoral care that pupils receive here have a profoundly positive impact. This is clear to see during social times and in classrooms where pupils engage with each other and adults with relative ease. Pupils and adults have nurturing relationships. Pupils are happy. They trust that the adults they work with will take care of them.

News, Photos and Open Days from Priors Court School

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Last update: 14 March 2023

OFSTED RATING

“Children with very complex needs are supported by unendingly patient and caring staff.”

This is one of the findings of the latest report from Ofsted care inspectors who have graded Prior’s Court as “good” – the 12th year in a row our care provision has been rated as “good” or “outstanding”.

Inspectors paid a three-day visit to our site in May to observe and document the standards of our residential homes* for young people up to the age of 19.

Following this, a report has been published rating the quality of social care provision as ‘good’, retaining the rating last earned following an inspection in 2021.

Priors Court School Parent Reviews

1. My child is happy at this school.

2. My child feels safe at this school.

3. The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

4. My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

5. The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

6. When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

7. My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

8. The school has high expectations for my child.

9. My child does well at this school.

10. The school lets me know how my child is doing.

11. There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

12. My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

13. The school supports my child’s wider personal development.

14. I would recommend this school to another parent.

15. My child enjoys boarding/the welfare experience.

16. My child is warm enough and comfortable in the residential accommodation.

17. The experience of boarding/welfare helps my child’s progress and development.

18. I can easily contact the staff who care for my child.

19. Boarding/welfare is well organised and managed effectively.

Responses taken from Ofsted Parent View

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Priors Court School Catchment Area Map

This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.