Special Schools Near You
Find special schools and SEND provision in your area. Compare Ofsted ratings, specialisms and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
What you'll find
Ofsted ratings
Latest inspection results and rating history for every school
Exam results
KS2 SATs, GCSEs, A-Levels and Progress 8 scores compared
Transport links
Walking, cycling and public transport routes to school
Catchment areas
Estimated catchment zones and your chances of a place
Finding schools near you
Finding the right special school is one of the most important - and often most overwhelming - things a parent can do for their child. School Signal brings together every state-funded special school in England, so you can search by postcode, filter by type of need and see Ofsted ratings side by side. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or are already partway through the EHCP process, you are in the right place.
Special schools are not all the same. A school rated Outstanding for autism support may have limited provision for children with speech, language and communication needs - and vice versa. Use School Signal to compare specialisms, age ranges and Ofsted outcomes across all the state special schools near your postcode, so you can build a genuine shortlist rather than relying on word of mouth alone.
Admissions and applying
A place at a state special school is only available to children who hold an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school. The process from assessment request to final EHCP is legally capped at 20 weeks, though in practice many families wait longer. Your local authority coordinates the process and maintains a list of the special schools it works with - but you have the right to request any school in England, not just those your authority suggests. Start your search early: popular schools fill during the EHCP process itself, and naming a school early gives you the strongest chance of securing a place.
Browse by area
Common questions
How do I find special schools near me?
Enter your postcode into School Signal and filter by school type - special schools are listed separately from mainstream primaries and secondaries. You can then narrow results by type of need (autism, MLD, SLD or speech and language) and check each school's Ofsted rating. It is also worth contacting your local authority's SEND team, as they can tell you which schools currently have capacity.
How does the EHCP process work?
You - or your child's school - can request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment from your local authority at any time. The entire process from that initial request to issuing a final EHCP must be completed within 20 weeks. The final plan will name a specific school. If you have a school in mind, you can request it during the process - the local authority must consider your preference and can only refuse if the placement would be unsuitable for your child's needs.
What types of SEND do special schools support?
Special schools are designated for specific primary needs, and it matters that the school matches your child's. The main categories are: autism spectrum condition (ASC), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and physical disabilities or sensory impairment. Many schools cater for more than one need type - check the school's Ofsted report and contact the school directly to understand the full range of provision they offer.