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
Bescot Hall
Special School
Bescot Hall is a special school based in Walsall. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Scarborough Road, WS2 9TY
Best Futures
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-11. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
The Stables, Church Lane, Aylesby, DN37 7AW
Bestwood Village School
Special School
Bestwood Village School is a special school based in Nottingham. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
School Walk, Bestwood Village, NG6 8UU
Bettridge School
Special School
Community 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, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Warden Hill Road, GL51 3AT
Bettws Lifehouse
Special School
Bettws Lifehouse is a special school based in Shropshire. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Kingsland Grange, Old Roman Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9AH
Beverley School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Saltersgill Avenue, TS4 3JS
BeyondAutism Post-19
Special School
BeyondAutism Post-19 is a special school based in London. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
The Hub, 2 Margravine Road, W6 8HJ
Bidwell Brook School
Special School
Foundation special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Shinner's Bridge, Dartington, TQ9 6JU
Billing Brook Special School
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Penistone Road, Lumbertubs, NN3 8EZ
Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 4-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, 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
Grange Drive, LE13 1HA
Birchwood
Special School
Birchwood is a special school based in Folkestone. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Bowen Road, CT19 4FP
Birchwood School
Special School
Birchwood School is a special school. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Ainscough Road, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 7PW
Birtenshaw College
Special School
Birtenshaw College is a special school based in Bolton. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Crompton Way, BL2 2PE
Birtenshaw School Bolton
Special School
Non-maintained special school. Ages 3-19. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, BL7 9AB
Birtley House Independent School
Special School
Birtley House Independent School is a special school based in Sevenoaks. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown, TN15 6AY
Bishopswood School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 2-16. 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
Grove Road, Sonning Common, RG4 9RH
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-18. SEN: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Edgemoor Court, South Radworthy, EX36 3LN
Blackfriars Academy
Special School
Academy special converter. Ages 11-19. SEN: 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
Priory Road, ST5 2TF
Blackmarston School
Special School
Academy special sponsor led. Ages 2-11. SEN: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Honddu Close, HR2 7NX
Blackpool Skills Academy
Special School
Blackpool Skills Academy is a special school based in Blackpool. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Stanley House, Stanley Road, FY1 4QL
Bladon House School
Special School
Other independent special school. Ages 5-19. SEN: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Newton Solney, DE15 0TA
Blanche Nevile School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 3-16. SEN: HI - Hearing Impairment
Burlington Road, Muswell Hill, N10 1NJ
Blanchelande College
Special School
Blanchelande College is a special school based in Guernsey. They support children and young people with special educational needs.
Les Vauxbelets, St Andrew, GY6 8XY
Bleasdale School
Special School
Community special school. Ages 2-19. SEN: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
27 Emesgate Lane, Silverdale, LA5 0RG
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.