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
Brook Green Centre for Learning
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Bodmin Road, Whitleigh, PL5 4DZ
Brook View School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 8-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Ward Green Lane, Ribchester, PR3 3YB
Brooke School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Overslade Lane, CV22 6DY
Brookfield School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Fouldrey Avenue, FY6 7HE
Brookfields School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 3-19. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Sage Road, Tilehurst, RG31 6SW
Brookfields School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Moorfield Road, WA8 3JA
Brookhaven School
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 11-16. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Parr Lane, BL9 8LP
Brookland School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
13 Newhey Road, Milnrow, Rochdale, OL16 3NP
Brooklands School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 4-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Burnside Avenue, BD23 2DB
Brooklands School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
27 Wray Park Road, RH2 0DF
Brookthorpe Hall School
Special School
Brookthorpe Hall School is a special school based in Gloucester. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Stroud Road, Gloucester, GL4 0UN
Brookways School
Special School
Brookways School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
660 London Road, North Cheam, Sutton, SM3 9BZ
Broomfield South SILC
Special School
Community special school. Ages 2-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Broom Place, LS10 3JP
Broomhill Bank School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Broomhill Road, Rusthall, TN3 0TB
Browns School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-18. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Hawstead Lane, Chelsfield, Hawstead Lane, BR6 7PH
Brunel School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
170b Torquay Road, TQ3 2AL
Bure Park Specialist Academy
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 5-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
16a Keyes Avenue, NR30 4AE
Burlington House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-21. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Bishops Avenue, Fulham, London, SW6 6EG
Burlington House School Tooting
Special School
Burlington House School Tooting is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
3 Garrads Road, Lambeth, SW16 1JZ
Burnside Secondary PRU
Special School
Burnside Secondary PRU is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Burnside Avenue, 2 Burnside Avenue, Chingford, E4 8YJ
Burstow Park School
Special School
Burstow Park School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Antlands Lane, Burstow, Surrey, RH6 9TF
Burton PRU
Special School
Burton PRU is a special school based in Burton-On-Trent. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Church Hill Street, Winshill, DE15 0HR
Bushbury School
Special School
Bushbury School is a special school based in Wolverhampton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Hellier Road, Bushbury, WV10 8ED
Caelum House School
Special School
Caelum House School is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Kent House, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW7 1BX
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.