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
Aurora Poppyfield School
Special School
Aurora Poppyfield School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Lower Road, Effingham, KT24 5JP
Aurora Redehall School
Special School
Aurora Redehall School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Redehall Road, Smallfield, Surrey, RH6 9QA
Aurora Rowan School
Special School
Aurora Rowan School is a special school based in Reading. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Dysons Wood, Tokers Green End, Kidmore End, RG4 9EY
Aurora Ryefields School
Special School
Aurora Ryefields School is a special school based in Derby. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
80 Parker Street, DE1 3HF
Aurora Severnside School
Special School
Aurora Severnside School is a special school based in Gloucestershire. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Unit A21, Berkeley Green Science and Technology Park, Berkeley, GL13 9FB
Aurora Summerfields School
Special School
Aurora Summerfields School is a special school based in Wilmslow. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Village Way, SK9 2GH
Aurora Vincent House School
Special School
Aurora Vincent House School is a special school based in Horsham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Vincent House, 31 North Parade, RH12 2DP
Aurora White House School
Special School
Aurora White House School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Quidenham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2NZ
Aurora Wilden View School
Special School
Aurora Wilden View School is a special school based in Kidderminster. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Worcester Road, Torton, DY11 7RR
Aurora Woodlands School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 10-19. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Woodlands, Holly Tree Close, Darwen, BB3 2NG
Autism Initiatives
Special School
Autism Initiatives is a special school based in Liverpool. They support children and young people with autism, speech delay, learning disability, dyslexia, sensory processing, semh and physical disability.
L30 4XR
Avalon School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Brooks Road, BA16 0PS
Avenue Centre for Education
Special School
Avenue Centre for Education is a special school based in Luton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Cutenhoe Road, LU1 3NJ
Avocet House
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 8-18. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
The Old Vicarage, School Lane, NR14 6QP
Avon Park School
Special School
Avon Park School is a special school based in Rugby. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
St John's Avenue, CV22 5HR
Avonside School
Special School
Avonside School is a special school based in Bristol. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
23 Clothier Road, BS4 5PS
Aylesbury UTC
Special School
University technical college. Phase: Secondary. Ages 14-19
Oxford Road, HP21 8PB
Azure College
Special School
Azure College is a special school based in Cramlington. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
McCallum House, Kielder Avenue, NE23 8JT
Bader Academy
Special School
Bader Academy is a special school based in Doncaster. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Chappell Avenue, Edenthorpe, DN3 2EW
Baginton Fields Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Sedgemoor Road, CV3 4EA
Balance Alternative Provision
Special School
Balance Alternative Provision is a special school based in Knottingley. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
The White Building, Lock Hill, Ferrybridge, WF11 8NE
Bamburgh School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-16. 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, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Norham Avenue, NE34 7TD
Bank View High School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 5-19. 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, PD - Physical Disability, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
177 Long Lane, L9 6AD
Banks House School
Special School
Banks House School is a special school based in Norwich. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bright House, 51 Wendene, Bowthorpe, NR5 9HA
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.