Priors Court caters for children with a wide range of challenging conditions
Priors Court Foundation is a registered non profit making organsiation that provides education and
accomodation to children and young adults with severe and complex autism. The Charity is a
recognised world leader in the care and education of persons living with the condition and has
pioneered many strategies and tecniques that have been adopted worldwide.
Based near Thatcham in Berkshire, the School is made up of a diverse mix of buildings old and new
set in 50 acres including several care and accomodation blocks either being built or undergoing
significant redevelopment.
The Challenge
The Henley Project is the conversion of a 1970’s bungalow to provide accomodation and specialist
education facilities for severely autistic children with especially challenging behaviour.Keith Cox,
Capital Projects Manager explains further
“At Priors Court, we have to cater for children with a very
wide range of challenging conditions, and still provide them with a safe and and comfortable
learning environment.
When we were redeveloping the Henley Site, I didn’t want LST radiators and covers as we
have had a large number of them damaged over and over again. Underfloor wasn’t an option as its an existing
building with wooden floors, so I googled 'Radiator Alternative'."
ThermaSkirt is unaffected by the final choice of floor covering and is simple to install, adapt and maintain
The Solution
Keith came across DiscreteHeat and their recently introduced EasyClean radiant skirting heating
solution. The EasyClean provides a warm water radiant panel in an easy to clean alluminium skirting
trim that can be connected onto a conventional central heating system or even a renewable energy
source such as a ground or air source heat pump.
The EasyClean system has been developed in cooperation with the NHS and several major care
home and assisted living providers as a more hygienic, safe and secure alternative to radiators and
a more responsive and controllable alternative to underfloor heating.
By being ‘above ground’ the systems performance is unaffected by the final choice of floor covering,
and is simple to install, adapt and maintain. More importantly EasyClean responds quickly to the
sudden and unpredictable heating demands found in the UK due to it’s varied climate. This is
especially important for persons either living with dementia or in need of constant care, as
overheating, which is a major problem in smaller rooms heated by UFH, is a recognised trigger of
violent or challenging beahviour.
Keith explains further;
“The needs of our children are particularly acute, and DiscreteHeat were
quick to adapt and update the product to meet our specific requirements. This included high
security fixings and cover plates, designed to withstand the harshest abuse”.