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
Bridge House Independent School
Special School
Bridge House Independent School is a special school based in Boston. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Grantham Road, PE21 7NL
Bridge House School
Special School
Bridge House School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
1 Stuart Road, Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2SR
Bridge School Malvern
Special School
Bridge School Malvern is a special school based in Hanley Swan. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Unit 2, Hanley Workshops, Hanley Road, WR8 0DX
Bridgelea Pupil Referral Unit
Special School
Bridgelea Pupil Referral Unit is a special school based in Manchester. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bridgelea Road, Withington, M20 3FB
Bridgeview Special School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 5-12. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Pickering Road, HU4 7AD
Bridgeway School
Special School
Bridgeway School is a special school based in Lancashire. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Church Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6EP
Bright Fields School
Special School
Bright Fields School is a special school based in Retford. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
South Leverton, DN22 0DJ
Bright Futures School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-16. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Friezland Lane, Greenfield, Oldham, OL3 7EU
Bright Minds Creative Academy
Special School
Bright Minds Creative Academy is a special school based in Croydon. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
106-108 Park Lane, CR0 1JB
Brighter Futures Specialist College Ltd
Special School
Brighter Futures Specialist College Ltd is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Harrow Manorway, SE2 9FL
Brighton and Hove Clinic School
Special School
Brighton and Hove Clinic School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
14-18 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4FH
Brighton Forward Ltd
Special School
Brighton Forward Ltd is a special school based in Worthing. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
28a Teville Road, BN11 1UG
Brimble Hill Special School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Tadpole Lane, Redhouse, SN25 2NB
Brinksway School
Special School
Brinksway School is a special school based in Stockport. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Yew Street, SK4 2HG
Bristol Hospital Education Service
Special School
Bristol Hospital Education Service is a special school based in Bristol. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Falkland Road, Montpelier, BS6 5JL
Broadbeck Learning Centre
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 6-18. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Brearcliffe Drive, Buttershaw, Bradford, BD6 2LE
Broadfield Specialist School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Coal Clough Lane, BB11 5BT
Broadlands Hall
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 9-20. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Little Wratting, CB9 7UA
Broadmeadow Special School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 3-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Lansdowne Road, Whitmore Reans, WV1 4AL
Broadstones School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 13-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Room 413, Broadstone Mill, Broadstone Road, SK4 5HS
Broadwood School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
252 Moorend Road, Pellon, HX2 0RU
Bromley Beacon Academy
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 7-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Avalon Road, BR6 9BD
Brompton Hall School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 8-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
High Street, Brompton-By-Sawdon, YO13 9DB
Brook Academy
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 11-16. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Mill Lane, Brockworth, GL3 4ZN
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.