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
Castle School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 7-18. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Odell Road, Leamore, WS3 2ED
Castle School, Cambridge
Special School
Castle School, Cambridge is a special school based in Cambridge. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Courtney Way, CB4 2EE
Castle Wood Special School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-11. 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
50 Deedmore Road, CV2 1FN
Castlebar School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 4-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Hathaway Gardens, Ealing, W13 0DH
Castlebridge School
Special School
Free schools special. Ages 7-16. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
62 Plymouth Road, PL19 8BU
Castledon School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 5-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Bromfords Drive, SS12 0PW
Castlefell School
Special School
Castlefell School is a special school based in Bristol. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Silverhill Brake, Rudgeway, BS35 3NS
Castleview School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
9a & 10a Waterloo House, North Street, LE65 1HS
Castlewood School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 4-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Lanchester Way, Castle Bromwich, B36 9LF
Catch22 Include London
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-17. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
191 Freston Road, London, W10 6TH
Catcote Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Catcote Road, TS25 4EZ
Catcote Futures
Special School
Catcote Futures is a special school based in Hartlepool. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Warren Road, Oakesway, TS24 0RG
Cavendish School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Lady Gomm House, 58 Hawkstone Road, SE16 2PA
Cavendish View School
Special School
Cavendish View School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
99, Cavendish Drive, Liverpool, L9 1NB
Cedar Hall School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 4-16. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Hart Road, Thundersley, SS7 3UQ
Cedar House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Low Bentham, LA2 7DD
Cedar Lodge School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
c/o Hexagon Care Services, Unit 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, PR2 2YQ
Cedars - Newcastle, Moorlands and Darwin Bases
Special School
Cedars - Newcastle, Moorlands and Darwin Bases is a special school based in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
High Street, Knutton, ST5 6BX
Central Education Ltd
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Yew Tree Farm, Nash Lane, Scaynes Hill, RH17 7NJ
Central Hub Brighton
Special School
Central Hub Brighton is a special school based in Brighton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Lynchet Close, BN1 7FP
Centre Academy East Anglia
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Church Road, Brettenham, IP7 7QR
Centre Academy London
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
92 St John's Hill, Battersea, SW11 1SH
CEWE School
Special School
CEWE School is a special school based in Greater Manchester. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
St Catherine's Vicarage, Catherine Terrace, Wigan, WN1 3JW
Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College
Special School
Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College is a special school based in Bromsgrove. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Meadow Road, Catshill, B61 0JL
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.