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

Special Schools in LondonSpecial Schools in BromleySpecial Schools in ManchesterSpecial Schools in BirminghamSpecial Schools in LiverpoolSpecial Schools in LeedsSpecial Schools in BristolSpecial Schools in SheffieldSpecial Schools in SomersetSpecial Schools in NottinghamSpecial Schools in StockportSpecial Schools in DoncasterSpecial Schools in NorthamptonSpecial Schools in Stoke-On-TrentSpecial Schools in LeicesterSpecial Schools in SouthamptonSpecial Schools in CornwallSpecial Schools in Brighton and HoveSpecial Schools in OxfordSpecial Schools in Derby

2,400 providers found

Ofsted Listed

Cairn Education CIC

Special School

Cairn Education CIC is a special school based in Cumbria. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Kendal

The Tavern, 63 Main Street, Staveley, LA8 9LN

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Caldecott Foundation School

Special School

Non-maintained special school. Ages 5-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Ashford

Station Road, Smeeth, TN25 6PW

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Calder Lodge School

Special School

Calder Lodge School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Wyre

Oakenclough, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1UL

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Calman Colaiste (Kisimul Group)

Special School

Calman Colaiste (Kisimul Group) is a special school based in Peterborough. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Peterborough

Wisbech Road, Thorney, PE6 0TD

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Calthorpe Academy

Special School

Academy special converter. Ages 2-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty

Birmingham

Darwin Street, Highgate, B12 0TP

Learning Disability
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Camberwell Park Specialist Support School

Special School

Camberwell Park Specialist Support School is a special school based in Manchester. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Manchester

Brookside Road, Moston, M40 9GJ

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Beverley School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 9-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Beverley

Units 19-20 Priory Road Industrial Estate, HU17 0EW

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Bletchley Park School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Milton Keynes

Whaddon Way, Bletchley, MK3 7EB

Autism / ASDSpeech & Language Delay
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Chesham House School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 10-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Bury

Chesham House, Thrush Drive, Bury, BL9 6JD

Learning DisabilitySocial, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Devon School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 7-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Torquay

Intek House, 52 Borough Road, TQ4 7DQ

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Dilston College

Special School

Special post 16 institution. Ages 16-25. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty

Morpeth

Dilston Hall, NE45 5RJ

Learning Disability
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Dunbroch School

Special School

Cambian Dunbroch School is a special school based in Newmarket. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Bury St Edmunds

Fordham Road, CB8 7LF

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Great Dunmow School

Special School

Cambian Great Dunmow School is a special school based in Essex. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Saffron Walden

Unit 13, Flitch Industrial Estate, Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow, CM6 1XJ

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Hartlepool School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 10-18. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Hartlepool

Unit E, Sovereign Way, Sovereign Park, TS25 1NN

Learning Disability
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Hereford School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Hereford

Coningsby Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8LL

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Home Tree School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 12-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Wisbech

172 March Road, Friday Bridge, PE14 0LP

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Lufton College

Special School

Special post 16 institution. Ages 16-25. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Somerset

Lufton, BA22 8ST

Learning Disability
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian New Elizabethan School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Evesham

Quarry Bank, Hartlebury, DY11 7TE

Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Northampton School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 11-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Northampton

67a Queens Park Parade, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 6LR

Learning DisabilitySocial, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Potterspury Lodge School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 8-18. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Northampton

Potterspury Lodge, NN12 7LL

Autism / ASDSocial, Emotional & Mental Health
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Red Rose School

Special School

Cambian Red Rose School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.

Chorley

Meadow Lane, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 8LN

Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Scarborough School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 8-18. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Northallerton

Unit 11, Plaxton Park, Cayton Low Road, YO11 3BQ

Learning DisabilitySocial, Emotional & Mental HealthSpeech & Language Delay
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Somerset School

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 10-18. SEN: HI - Hearing Impairment, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Somerset

Creech Court, Mill Lane, Creech St Michael, TA3 5PX

Autism / ASDSocial, Emotional & Mental HealthSensory Processing
Ages 0–25View details
Ofsted Listed

Cambian Spring Hill

Special School

Other independent special school. Ages 8-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Northallerton

Palace Road, HG4 3HN

Autism / ASDLearning DisabilitySpeech & Language Delay
Ages 0–25View details

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.