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
Bankside School
Special School
Bankside School is a special school based in Malvern. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
The Rhydd, Hanley Castle, WR8 0AD
Barbara Priestman Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Meadowside, SR2 7QN
Bardwell School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Hendon Place, Sunderland Drive, OX26 4RZ
Barley Lane School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 7-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Barley Lane, St Thomas, EX4 1TA
Barndale School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 4-19. 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, MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Howling Lane, NE66 1DQ
Barraclough Hall School
Special School
Barraclough Hall School is a special school based in Huddersfield. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Barraclough, 1 Bryan Road, Edgerton, HD2 2AL
Barrs Court School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Barrs Court Road, HR1 1EQ
Baskerville School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Fellows Lane, Harborne, B17 9TS
Baston House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Baston Road, Hayes, BR2 7AB
Batchwood School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Townsend Drive, AL3 5RP
Battledown School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-11. SEN: VI - Visual 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
Harp Hill, Battledown, GL52 6PZ
Baycroft School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-16. SEN: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Gosport Road, Stubbington, PO14 2AE
Baytree School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
The Campus, Highlands Lane, BS24 7DX
Beacon Business Innovation Hub
Special School
Beacon Business Innovation Hub is a special school based in Ilford. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Woodford Bridge Road, Clayhall, IG4 5LP
Beacon Hill Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 3-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Erriff Drive, RM15 5AY
Beacon Hill School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 2-19. SEN: 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, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Rising Sun Cottages, Wallsend, NE28 9JW
Beacon Independent School
Special School
Beacon Independent School is a special school based in Lichfield. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
15 Market Street, WS13 6JX
Beacon of Light School
Special School
Beacon of Light School is a special school based in Sunderland. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Vaux Brewery Way, Stadium Park, SR5 1SN
Beatrice Tate School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 11-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
41 Southern Grove, Mile End, E3 4PX
Beaucroft Foundation School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 4-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Wimborne Road, Colehill, BH21 2SS
Beaumont College
Special School
Beaumont College is a special school based in Manchester. They support children and young people with semh.
LA2 6AP
Beaumont College - A Salutem/Ambito College
Special School
Special post 16 institution. Ages 18-25. SEN: PD - Physical Disability, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Slyne Road, LA2 6AP
Beaumont Hill Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 2-19. 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
Salters Lane South, DL1 2AN
Becker School
Special School
Becker School is a special school based in Batley. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Ruby Street, WF17 8HL
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.