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
Bramley Grange Academy
Special School
Bramley Grange Academy is a special school based in Guildford. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Grafham, Bramley, GU5 0LH
Bramley Hill School
Special School
Bramley Hill School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Chequers Lane, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7ST
Bramley Oak Academy
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 5-11. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Horsham Road, Bramley, GU5 0BJ
Brandles School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 11-16. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Weston Way, SG7 6EY
Branthwaite Academy
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 4-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Branthwaite Road, CA14 4SS
Brantridge School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 6-11. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Staplefield Place, Staplefield, RH17 6EQ
Brantwood Garden School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
1 Kenwood Bank, Nether Edge, S7 1NU
Brays School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-11. SEN: VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Brays Road, Sheldon, Brays School, B26 1NS
Breakspeare School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 2-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Gallows Hill Lane, WD5 0BU
Breakthrough College
Special School
Breakthrough College is a special school based in South Brent. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Breakthrough Transformation Trust, Cannamore Farm, Avonwick, TQ10 9HA
Brearley Hall School
Special School
Brearley Hall School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
1 Burnley Road, Luddendenfoot, Halifax, HX2 6HP
Breckenbrough School
Special School
Non-maintained special school. Ages 9-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Sandhutton, YO7 4EN
Breightmet School
Special School
Breightmet School is a special school based in Bolton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Milnthorpe Road, Breightmet, BL2 6PD
Brenkley School
Special School
Brenkley School is a special school based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
3-5 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, NE13 6DS
Brent Knoll School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 4-17. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Perry Rise, SE23 2QU
Brent River College
Special School
Brent River College is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
364b Stag Lane, Kingsbury, NW9 9AE
Brentwood Community College
Special School
Brentwood Community College is a special school based in Sale. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Cherry Lane, M33 4GY
Brentwood School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Cherry Lane, M33 4GY
Brewood Secondary School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
86 London Road, CT14 9TR
Briarwood School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, 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
Briar Way, Fishponds, BS16 4EA
Brick Lane School
Special School
Brick Lane School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bacon Street, Tower Hamlets, E2 6DY
Bricklehurst Manor School
Special School
Bricklehurst Manor School is a special school based in Wadhurst. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bardown Road, Stonegate, TN5 7EL
Brickyard Barn Outdoor Learning Centre
Special School
Brickyard Barn Outdoor Learning Centre is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Brickyard Barn, Mallory Road, Bishops Tachbrook, CV33 9QD
Bridge College
Special School
Special post 16 institution. Ages 16-25. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Openshaw Campus, Whitworth Street, Bridge College Whitworth Street, M11 2GR
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.