Special (SEND) Schools in England
There are 2,340 open special schools on School Signal - 2,310 other, 23 all-through, 6 secondary. 91.8% of those in England were rated Outstanding or Good at their last graded inspection, against 92.5% of all schools.
Browse special schools and SEND provision across England by area. Compare Ofsted ratings, specialisms and support for special educational needs.
Ofsted grades: special schools and all schools
26.2% Outstanding against 14.4% across England.
- Outstanding433 (26%)
- Good1,086 (66%)
- Requires improvement119 (7%)
- Inadequate17 (1%)
- Outstanding2,939 (14%)
- Good15,991 (78%)
- Requires improvement1,432 (7%)
- Inadequate98 (0%)
- Outstanding
- 26.2%14.4%
- Outstanding or Good
- 91.8%92.5%
- Requires improvement or Inadequate
- 8.2%7.5%
Source: Ofsted, latest graded inspection per school (England)
Where the most special schools are
Click an area to see every school there, with grades and results.
Finding the right special school in England
England has more than 1,000 special schools catering for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) - the document that sets out the support a child with special educational needs and disabilities is entitled to receive. Special schools are not something parents can apply to directly: a place is arranged through your local authority as part of the EHCP process, and the local authority must agree to a suitable school named by parents unless it would be inappropriate for the child's needs or an inefficient use of resources. Schools specialise in different types of need - autism (ASC), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), speech and language needs, physical disability or sensory impairment - so the first step is identifying which type of provision matches what your child's EHCP describes.
If you are at the start of the process, understanding the timeline helps reduce anxiety: once a local authority agrees to carry out an EHC needs assessment, it has up to 20 weeks to issue the final EHCP. During that window you can gather evidence, visit schools and decide which one to name. Ofsted inspects special schools under the same framework as mainstream schools, so ratings give a useful starting point - but the SEND information report (which every school must publish), the therapies available on site, staff experience with your child's specific needs and the views of other SEND parents matter just as much. Browse by area below to see the special schools in your part of England.
Browse special schools by area
Questions parents ask about special schools
How do special schools compare on Ofsted grades?
Of the 1,655 special schools in England with a graded Ofsted inspection, 26.2% were last graded Outstanding and 91.8% Outstanding or Good, against 14.4% and 92.5% for all graded schools in England. Grades date from different years, and Ofsted stopped giving new single-word grades in September 2024, so read each school's latest report too.
How do I get a place at a special school for my child?
Special school places are arranged through your local authority as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process - you cannot apply directly. Once your child has an EHCP, or during the assessment itself, you can name the special school you want, and the local authority must agree unless it can show the school is unsuitable for your child's needs or would be an inefficient use of public resources. If you do not yet have an EHCP, request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority or ask your child's school to do so.
How long does the EHCP process take?
Once a local authority agrees to carry out an EHC needs assessment, it has a statutory deadline of 20 weeks to issue the final EHCP - from the date it receives the request to the date it sends the final plan. In practice, timelines vary and some families experience delays, so it is worth keeping a record of every communication and knowing that you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal if deadlines are missed. IPSEA and SENDIASS (your local SEND information and advice service) offer free guidance.
What is the difference between a special school and a mainstream school with SEND support?
Most children with special educational needs attend mainstream schools, either on an SEN Support plan or with an EHCP that funds additional help in class. Special schools are for children whose needs are complex enough that a mainstream setting cannot meet them even with extra support. They typically have much higher staff ratios, on-site therapists and teachers trained in specific areas of need. The EHCP assessment process is designed to determine which placement is most appropriate for your child.