Special Schools
Special schools offer small classes, specialist staff, and built-in therapy for children whose needs go beyond what mainstream can provide.
Typical cost
Free (state) / £30k–£80k+ (independent)
NHS wait
N/A (EHCP placement)
Session length
Full-time education
2,400 providers found
Blooming Tree Pre Prep School
Special School
Blooming Tree Pre Prep School is a special school based in Acton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
First Floor, Swarn House, 296 High Street, W3 9BJ
Blossom House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Blossom House School, Station Road, Motspur Park, KT3 6JJ
Blossom Rose School
Special School
Blossom Rose School is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
147 Stamford Hill, N16 5LG
Bloxham Grove Academy
Special School
Bloxham Grove Academy is a special school based in Banbury. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bloxham Grove Road, OX15 4UL
Blue Mountain Education
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 8-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Willow Farm, Off Newton Lane, Ilkeston, NG16 2SD
Blue Skies School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-25. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
126 Maidstone Road, ME4 6DQ
Bluebell Park School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, PD - Physical Disability, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Cawthorne Walk, Southdene, Kirkby, L32 3XP
Bluebell School Ltd
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent, ST7 1EH
Bmat Stem Academy
Special School
University technical college. Phase: Secondary. Ages 14-19
Velizy Avenue, CM20 3EZ
Booker Park Community School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-11. SEN: VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Stoke Leys Close, HP21 9ET
Boston Endeavour Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Kitwood Road, PE21 0PX
Bow Street School
Special School
Bow Street School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bow Street, Bilston, West Midlands, WV14 7NB
Bowden House School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 5-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Firle Road, BN25 2JB
Bower Grove School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 4-16. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Fant Lane, ME16 8NL
Bower Lodge School
Special School
Bower Lodge School is a special school based in Southampton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Main Road, SO45 5TD
Bowman Academy
Special School
Bowman Academy is a special school based in Loughborough. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Butthole Lane, LE12 9BN
Bracken Hill School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-18. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Chartwell Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, NG17 7HZ
Brackenfield Special School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-18. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Bracken Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4DA
Bradfields Academy
Special School
Bradfields Academy is a special school based in Chatham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Churchill Avenue, ME5 0LB
Bradford Beacon School
Special School
Bradford Beacon School is a special school based in Bradford. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Yorkshire Drive, Rooley Lane, BD5 8LJ
Bradshaw Farm Independent School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
LONGNOR, SK17 0QY
Braidwood School for the Deaf
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: HI - Hearing Impairment
Bromford Road, B36 8AF
Brambles School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 6-14. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
29 Ashworth Lane, SK14 6NT
Bramfield House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Walpole Road, Bramfield, IP19 9AB
Finding the right special school
Choosing a school for a child with SEND is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. Special schools cater specifically to children whose needs can't be fully met in mainstream settings. They offer smaller classes, specialist staff, adapted environments, and therapeutic support built into the school day.
What they do
Special schools provide education tailored to children with a range of needs — from moderate learning difficulties to complex physical and medical needs. Most have on-site therapists (speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy), specialist teaching approaches, sensory rooms, and outdoor learning spaces. The curriculum is adapted to each child's level and focuses on functional skills alongside academics.
When to seek help
A special school might be right if your child is significantly struggling in mainstream despite support, if their needs require specialist facilities or very small class sizes, if they need therapeutic input throughout the day, or if mainstream schooling is causing them significant distress. Your child will typically need an EHCP that names the school.
What to expect
Visit several schools before deciding. Look at how staff interact with children, how calm and structured the environment feels, and whether the school's specialism matches your child's needs. Most special schools offer taster visits. Class sizes are usually 6 to 12 children with at least 2 adults. Transport is often provided by the Local Authority.
Typical costs
State-funded special schools are free — placement is agreed through the EHCP process. Independent special schools can cost £30,000 to £80,000+ per year and are sometimes funded by Local Authorities where they're named in an EHCP. If you believe your child needs a specific independent school, you may need to make the case at tribunal.