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
Cambian Tyldesley School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Shuttle Street, Tyldesley, Wigan, M29 8BS
Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Renhold Road, Wilden, MK44 2PT
Cambian Whinfell School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
110 Windermere Road, LA9 5EZ
Cambian Wing College
Special School
Cambian Wing College is a special school based in Bournemouth. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
126 Richmond Park Road, BH8 8TH
Cambian Wisbech School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-17. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Old Sessions House, 32 Somers Road, PE13 1JF
Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology
Special School
University technical college. Phase: Secondary. Ages 13-19
Robinson Way, CB2 0SZ
Cambridge Park Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Cambridge Road, DN34 5EB
Cambridge School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
61, Bryony Rd, White City, W12 0SP
Camden Primary Pupil Referral Unit
Special School
Pupil referral unit. Ages 5-11. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Robson House, Netley Campus, 74 Stanhope Street, NW1 3EX
CAMHS Phoenix School
Special School
CAMHS Phoenix School is a special school based in Wokingham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
CAMHS Phoenix Unit, Wokingham Hospital, Barkham Road, RG41 2RE
Camphill Wakefield (Pennine Camphill Community Ltd)
Special School
Special post 16 institution. Ages 16-25. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Wood Lane, Chapelthorpe, WF4 3JL
Cann Bridge School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
23 Eden Valley Gardens, Estover, PL6 8EE
Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus
Special School
Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus is a special school based in Morden. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Canterbury Road, SM4 6PT
Capella House School
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 4-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Egerton Road, TW2 7SL
Car Dyke School
Special School
Car Dyke School is a special school based in Dowsby. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
60 Main Road, PE10 0TL
Cardrew Court School
Special School
Cardrew Court School is a special school based in Redruth. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Cardrew Industrial Estate, Cardrew Way, TR15 1SS
Carew Academy
Special School
Carew Academy is a special school based in Wallington. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
33 Headley Avenue, SM6 8NQ
Carlton Digby School
Special School
Community special school. 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, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
61 Digby Avenue, Mapperley, NG3 6DS
Carwarden House Community School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
118 Upper Chobham Road, GU15 1EJ
Castle EAST School
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 9-16. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Hillside Road East, NR35 1JS
Castle Garden School
Special School
Castle Garden School is a special school based in Guildford. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Pewely Hill, GU1 3SQ
Castle Hill High School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-18. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
The Fairway, Offerton, SK2 5DS
Castle Hill School
Special School
Castle Hill School is a special school based in Newcastle Under Lyme. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
2 Castle Hill, Nantwich Road, Audley, ST7 8DH
Castle Hill School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Newsome Road South, Newsome, HD4 6JL
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.