Helen Franks

Helen joined Prior’s Court in January 2019, having worked in special education supporting pupils, predominantly with ASD, for more than twenty 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 young people with autism, 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 young people with autism. For a number of years, she was an instructor for EarlyBird - a National Autistic Society course for parents of preschool children with a recent diagnosis of autism.

As a keen reader, Helen is passionate about developing a love of reading and improving her reading skills, whatever the ability of the young person.