If you’re looking for schools for special needs, then this article has got you covered. We have taken time to prepare this article in a way that it will serve as a middleman between you and the schools for special education you seek and also provide information about the vital things you need to know about special education.
Special needs schools cater to students with educational challenges. These academic institutions are designed and equipped with staff and resources that can provide appropriate support for children with unique needs.
They do not have a “one size fits all” education method. Instead, they provide a customized programed method of teaching and learning that will meet each student’s unique combination of needs. This includes not only learning but also social and emotional needs.
What is Special Education?
Special education, also known as special needs education, supplementary or exceptional education, SEN or SPED is a practice of providing education in a way that adapts to individual differences, disabilities, and special needs of students. Ideally, this process involves separate planning and system monitoring of teaching programs, arrangements, materials, accessible settings and adapted types of equipment.
What are Schools for Special Needs?
Special schools are academic institions that provide education for children with special educational needs or disabilities. “There are many different types of special schools, but basically, they all educate children whose needs cannot be met in the mainstream environment and whose parents or caregivers have agreed or requested special school placement,” Education Development Officer Alex Grady explained that in NASEN, the National Association for Special Educational Needs.
Currently, about 2% of school-age children are attending special schools, and many of them have declarations or EHC plans. Children who are sent to study in special schools are seen to have learning difficulties or disabilities and need to provide them with special education.
Is a special school right for your child?
Choosing a suitable special need school is often a difficult process, and deciding whether your child should be sent to a special school is very emotional, especially if they are attending a regular school already.
Deciding whether or not you should apply for a special school place will be a product of many factors, which would include the social and educational needs of the child in question, how old they are and their education stage, available schools, the distance of school and transportation arrangements, etc. Some of the things you can benefit from when you send your child to special school include:
- Class sizes are smaller, and the ratio of teachers to students is higher.
- Experienced professional teachers can tailor the work according to your child’s needs.
- Your child has the opportunity to socialize with peers with similar needs, thereby reducing the possibility of bullying and increasing self-esteem.
- Facilities and resources that are specific to your child’s special education needs or disability.
- Good communication between the teachers and parents.
List of Special Needs Schools
Below are some special needs schools in England UK. Here, you will discover and compare schools that provide services to children with sensory, social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, dyslexia, and physical or learning difficulties.
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1. Fairfield Farm College
- Location: 43 High Street, Dilton Marsh, BA13 4DL, Wiltshire, West of England.
- Phone: 01373 823028
Fairfield Farm College is a special school that deserves to be recommended. It is located in the village of Dilton Marsh in the Wiltshire countryside. It is a college designed for students with SEND. The 26-acre farm site hosts various daytime, residential, and flexible rest periods, and was rated “good” by OFSTED and CQC during the last inspection of the school.
Fairfield Farm College offers a safe and stimulating environment for students; it is a place where they can acquire the necessary skills to support their growth into adulthood. The programs of study start at the age of 16. Flexible residential courses are offered in one of the houses of the school, only a few minutes walk from the college.
The college has a variety of resource-rich teaching and vocational fields of learning, and students take part in a real-life experience-oriented mode of teaching.
2. Mary Hare School
- Location: Arlington Manor, Snelsmore Common, Newbury, RG14 3BQ, West Berkshire, West of England.
- Phone: 01635 244200
Mary Hare is a boarding and day school that is specially meant for students who are deaf. It is located in Newbury, Berkshire West England, UK. The school enrol children from grades 1 to 13 (5-19 years old) on two campuses, elementary and middle schools.
The school uses verbal communication methods, so they don’t use BSL in their classes-the children thrive in learning to use their voices, and the use of the English language is very important!
The school has made it very important to teach through speaking, listening and they also make use of technology, to make sure there is effectiveness in teaching and learning. The school also uses group hearing aids so that students can hear the teacher’s voice and also hear each other’s voices.
3. Gretton School
- Location: Manor Farm Road, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 0RX, Cambridgeshire, East of England.
- Phone: 01223 277438
Greyton School welcomes children and young people with autism ages 5 to 19 as weekly boarders or day students. Every student at Gretton is diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, and every child is perceived to be different.
As autism experts, The school understands that consistent daily work and staffing can help minimize anxiety and ensure that students feel they are safe and confident in their surroundings.
The teacher-student ratio is high, the classes are small and individual-oriented. The schools know each of their students very well and use the best strategies to support their daily school life.
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4. Kisimul School (Acacia Upper School)
- Location: Shortwood Lane, Friesthorpe, Lincoln, LN3 5AL, Lincolnshire, East of England.
- Phone: 01522 868279
Kisimul School Lincolnshire (Acacia Hall) is located in Friesthorpe, close to Market Rasen, East of England and approximately 10 miles north of Lincoln. It offers a 38-week full-time education program throughout the year and is registered with the Ministry of Education.
The school provide services to children and young people aged 8 to 19 with autism, complex needs, learning disabilities and related behaviours. Although most of the young people in the school live in the school’s related children’s home, Acacia Hall, the school is also able to provide day and 38 placements per week.
5. Cambian Potterspury Lodge School
- Location: Towcester, NN12 7LL, Northamptonshire, East Midlands
- Phone: 01908 542912
Cambian Potterspury Lodge School is one of the schools for special needs that offer a 52-week boarding school for young people aged 8-18 who are initially diagnosed with complex needs and an autism spectrum disorder.
Located in a large country house and grounds, covering 22 acres, with additional educational and residential spaces. The school has a large sports field and hard court for leisure and entertainment, and an adventure playground for young students.
The school staff team works with the students in an inclusive environment, aiming to allow young people with Asperger’s syndrome to accept themselves, tolerate others, be confident and experience success when they start to become successful citizens.
6. Hardwick House School
- Location: 190 Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3HU, Leicestershire, East Midlands
- Phone: 01509 218203
Hardwick House School is one of the schools for special needs. It is an independent professional school located in the University City of Loughborough, serving children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic and Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).
The philosophy of Hardwick House School is to put the needs of learners first. The teaching method is learner-centred. Although the national curriculum is in place, the school believes that the primary aim should be on the special learning difficulties related to autism.
The location of the school provides a unique environment that enhances the round growth of the young people in the care of the school, as well as their development as individuals and as an important part of the community at large.
7. Ambitious College
- Location: Pears Campus, The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, Tottenham Green Centre, Clyde Road, South Tottenham, London, N15 4RX, Greater England
- Phone: 020 3870 8775
Ambitious College is one of the independent schools for special needs. It is a day college dedicated to helping children and young adults with autism aged 16-25.
believe that every young person entering an ambitious college should have a full, happy and meaningful life. Our educational methods always focus on the individual.
The school provide a highly personalized model of teaching and actively support learners to gain new skills and participate in daily life. The school is located on the campuses of two mainstream continuing education colleges: The Enfield, College of Haringey and North East London (CONEL) and West Thames College in West London.
In each campus, the dedicated and enthusiastic professional team includes occupational therapists, teachers, speech and language therapists, behaviour analysts, professional support staff, and employment experts. The staff in this special need school work together to come up with individual learning and support methods.
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8. Barnardos
- Location: Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, IG6 1QG, Essex, Greater England.
- Phone: 020 8550 8822
This is one of the schools for special needs on this list that help children survive the trauma of sexual abuse and exploitation.
The school provide support to young people receiving care and when they leave the care system, the school do not forget them.
This special education school provide the help and support they deserve for children caring for their loved ones.
This is not all. the professional staff provide support to families through domestic abuse, mental health issues, imprisonment, asylum-seeking, etc.
9. Abingdon House School & College
- Location: Broadley Terrace, Marylebone, London, NW1 6LG, London
- Phone: 020 3750 5526
Abingdon House School is an independent special education school for day students and pupils aged 7 to 19 with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, social communication difficulties, dyslexia and ADD/ADHD and other related needs.
Abingdon House School as one of the best schools for special needs has a teaching and comprehensive treatment method that focuses on supporting the challenges faced by students with special educational needs, such as working memory, sensory processing, social communication needs, processing speed, executive function, and the impact that these may have on students’ self-esteem and self-confidence.
The school provides a warm, nurturing and ambitious learning environment. In a mainstream-style environment, students’ specific personal learning needs are fully supported.
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10. TCES East London
- Location: Welfare Road, Stratford Marsh, E15 4HT, London
- Phone: 020 8555 6737
East London Independent School (ELIS) is a special education needs school of the TCES Group that provides Los Angeles-funded day school education for students and pupils aged 7-19 with social, emotional or mental health (SEMH) needs or autism spectrum (ASC), and the pathological needs of complex cooperation make it difficult for them to succeed in mainstream schools.
Pupils often have undiagnosed speech, language and communication needs, sensory or learning difficulties, which may cause learning disabilities, and these obstacles are resolved before the student receives education.
ELIS is located in a newly developed state-of-the-art school building with a specially designed low arousal, autism-friendly environment, suitable for all pupils, regardless of what their needs are. Uniquely, the school successfully taught children with ASC and SEMH together.
11. Cambian Dilston College
- Location: Dilston Hall, Corbridge, NE45 5RJ, Northumberland, North East of England
- Phone: 01434 632692
Cambian Dilston College is one of the independent schools for special needs in the UK that provides quality education and care for students aged 16-25 with moderate to severe learning problems.
Providing local students with day placements and 52 weeks of residential care; this special education school have successfully supported students with a wide range of complex needs, including challenging behaviours and medical requirements.
Dilston College adopts a professional people-centred approach and provides personalized learning plans that are designed to effectively meet the needs, personal decisions and desires of students, focusing on daily life skills, employment or independent living. Students in the school go on to acquire important life skills and meaningful qualifications, thereby increasing choice, independence and control.
12. Ashbrooke School
- Location: Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, SR2 7JA, Tyne & Wea, North East of England
- Phone: 0191 6075610
Ashbrook School is a coeducational special day school that provides high-quality education for boys and girls. Located in Sunderland, this school caters to a diverse group of individuals with a range of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, communication difficulties, challenging behaviours and complex educational needs.
13. Cambian Brook View School
- Location: Ward Green Lane, Preston, PR3 3YB, Lancashire, North West England
- Phone: 01254 958579
Cambian Brook View School is an independent special education school that provides high standards of education and care for students aged 8-19 with autism spectrum disorder and other related diseases. This school provide 52 weeks of residential care for boys and girls, and they successfully support students with a wide range of complex needs.
Many young people who attend Brook View School have been out of school for some time or have had negative school experiences in the past. The school’s transition arrangements ensure that every young person and their parents or caregivers have the opportunity to visit the school and meet the main staff before they are officially enrolled.
14. Acorns School
- Location: 19b Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7NN, Greater Manchester, North West England
- Phone: 01614 495820
The goal of this special education school is to support our young people in learning to gradually improve and enjoy success.
The school work together to provide a structured learning and caring environment so that all students can develop academically, socially and emotionally, so that students and staff feel secure and valued.
This is one of the schools for special needs that provide a rich educational environment for students who encounter difficulties in school. In this school, students are accepted, they feel safe and they are equally valued.
The school assess pastoral and needs for learning and plan for progress. Pupils are given time and in this way, they can reflect on and reassess their problems, and be able to build self-esteem and nurture relationships that are of value.
15. Chailey Heritage School
- Location: Haywards Heath Road, North Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4EF, East Sussex, South East England
- Phone: 01825 724444
Chailey Heritage School is part of the Chailey Heritage Foundation. The special education school is a non-maintenance special school for children and young individuals with the ages of 3-19 who have health needs and complex physical disabilities.
In October 2014, Chailey Heritage School was named “Outstanding” by Ofsted for the third time in a row. Chailey Heritage Residential is a registered children’s home that provides packages ranging from short breaks to 52 weeks a year.
Chailey Heritage special education school has established a unique on-site partnership with Chailey Clinical Services, which is part of the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. The health and treatment needs of students are met by a highly skilled team, including pediatric medical consultants and doctors, residential care teams, rehabilitation engineers, therapists and special teachers.
16. Grateley House School
- Location: Pond Lane, Grateley, Andover, SP11 8TA, Hampshire, South East England
- Phone: 01264 889751
Grateley House School is a special education boarding school for young people aged 9-19 who are diagnosed with autism or with behavioural characteristics of the autism spectrum, usually high-functioning Austim, like Asperger’s Synthetic disease.
This is one of the schools for special needs that can provide support for young people who have other related difficulties, such as ADHD dyslexia, and dyslexia. When such difficulties as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASC), occur as part of secondary mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression and related behaviours can be accommodated.
In this school, young people in the school will have a Special Educational Needs Statement (SEN) and/or Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).
The accommodation offers family-style houses based on seven ages. The school has three houses on the first floor of the converted main building, and the other four houses surround the site. Each of the houses has a lounge, game/leisure area and kitchenette. All the houses in this special needs school have toilets and showers, and most houses have bathtubs.
17. Cambian Lufton College
- Location: Lufton, Yeovil, BA22 8ST, Somerset, South West England
- Phone: 01935 403120
Cambian Lufton College provides high standards of education and care for students aged 16-25 who are diagnosed with moderate to severe learning difficulties or individual with autism spectrum disorder.
Providing local students with day placements opportunities and 52 weeks of residential care, the special education needs school is in the business of supporting students with a wide range of complex needs, including medical requirements and challenging behaviours.
Loveton College special needs and education school has a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable educational, nursing and clinical staff that provide high standards of quality learning through a human-centred curriculum.
Students have the chance to take part in a rich and balanced program of activities that are educationally oriented that cover a whole day while living in an inclusive environment that enables them to use their strengths and interests and acquire new useful life skills.
18. Cambian Wing College
- Location: 126 Richmond Park Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8TH, Dorset, South West England
- Phone: 01202 635630
Cambian Wing College is one of the schools for special needs in the UK, England that provides effective care and education and care for students aged 16-25 with Asperger’s syndrome or individuals with high-functioning autism and related mental health problems.
They provide local students with day placement opportunities and 38-52 weeks of residential care, and they successfully support students with a wide range of complex needs, including challenging behaviours that is challenging
All young people at Wing College special education school face challenges in daily life due to learning difficulties and mental health; therefore, Wing College provides customized courses to ensure that they can receive appropriate and comprehensive support to improve their health and well-being, as well as their education Results
19. Queen Alexandra College (QAC)
- Location: Court Oak Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9TG, West Midlands
- Phone: 0121 428 5050
QAC is a national residential college and charity school that supports students will verities od disabilities and needs. The special education school welcome students from all over the country and many local students to the college.
The college has been in its present location since 1903 and provides holistic learning based on innovation and support methods.
This special needs and education school support and guidance for students with visual impairments, moderate to severe learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, and students with physical and other forms of disabilities.
The school has many students, which adds to the wonderful atmosphere of the college. The class size is small and the level of support is high.
20. Fullerton House School
- Location: Tickill Square, Denaby, Doncaster, DN12 4AR, South Yorkshire, West Midlands England
- Phone: 01709 861663
This is one of the schools for special needs that mainly provides flexible education and care for young people aged 8-19. It is mainly a 52-week service and has limited day placement capacity. The students in this school have complex needs, including potentially challenging behaviours and Learning disabilities are usually associated with autism.
Fullerton House School is located in the centre of Denaby Main Village, near Doncaster. Its central location provides easy access by road, rail or air. The mission is to improve the lives of young people by paying attention to their specific needs, abilities and desires.
21. Linkage College
- Location: Toynton Hall, Main Road, Toynton All Saints, Spilsby, PE23 5AE, Yorkshire & Humberside England.
- Phone: 01472 241044
Linkage College is one of the independent further education colleges. It is a special education and needs school for young individuals with a range of difficulties and disabilities in learning.
The special education and needs school is of Linkage Community Trust; it is a registered charity started in 1976 to meet the education and other special needs of young people with a wide range of disabilities who are in need of further education, training and support to achieve independence and potential for employment.
As an independent college, the school are able to follow their own courses according to the specific needs, desires and abilities of learners. The school’s goal is to provide an education that increases life opportunities, promotes independence, and prepares learners for adulthood in the way that suits them best.
