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
Arc Oakbridge School
Special School
Arc Oakbridge School is a special school based in Birmingham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Church Lane, B20 2HL
Arc School Ansley
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-17. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Ansley Lane, Ansley, CV10 9ND
Arc School Napton
Special School
Arc School Napton is a special school based in Warwickshire. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Vicarage Road, Napton-On-The-Hill, Nr Southam, CV47 8NA
Arc School Old Arley
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 7-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Ansley Lane, Old Arley, CV7 8NU
Archdale School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-11. SEN: VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Archdale Road, S2 1PL
Archers Brook SEMH Residential School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 9-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Chester Road, Great Sutton, CH66 2NA
Arden College
Special School
Special post 16 institution. Ages 16-25. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
40 Derby Road, Southport, PR9 0TZ
Area 51 Education Ltd
Special School
Area 51 Education Ltd is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
1 Mallard Place, Coburg Road, N22 6TS
Arise Academy
Special School
Arise Academy is a special school based in Croydon. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Cornerstones, 14 Willis Road, CR0 2XX
Armley Grange School
Special School
Armley Grange School is a special school based in Leeds. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Armley Grange Drive, Armley, LS12 3QH
Arnfield Independent School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 11-17. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Arnfield Independent School, Po Box 446, SK14 9EY
Ascent Autism Specialist College
Special School
Ascent Autism Specialist College is a special school based in St Helens. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
11 the Parks, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0JQ
Ash Field Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, PD - Physical Disability
Broad Avenue, LE5 4PY
Ash Lea School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-18. 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
Owthorpe Road, NG12 3PA
Ash Meadow School
Special School
Ash Meadow School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Jubits Lane, St Helens, WA9 4RT
Ash Trees Academy
Special School
Ash Trees Academy is a special school based in Billingham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bowes Road, TS23 2BU
Ashbrooke School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7JA
Ashcroft School
Special School
Ashcroft School is a special school based in Coventry. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
54 Hayes Lane, Exhall, CV7 9BP
Ashgate Croft School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Ashgate Road, S40 4BN
Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Crossacres Road, Wythenshawe, M22 5DR
Ashley College
Special School
Ashley College is a special school based in Wembley. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Ashley Gardens, HA9 8NP
Ashley High School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Cawfield Avenue, WA8 7HG
Ashley Park School
Special School
Ashley Park School is a special school based in Walton-On-Thames. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
47 Hersham Road, KT12 1LE
Ashmount School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 4-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Thorpe Hill, LE11 4SQ
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.