Definition
A special school is a school that exclusively educates pupils with EHCPs and is designed around their specific needs. Placements are normally named in Section I of an EHCP and funded by the local authority. Special schools may be maintained, academy, non-maintained, or independent under section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- A special school exclusively educates pupils with EHCPs and is designed around specific needs.
- May be maintained, academy, non-maintained, or independent under section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
- Designation by need: SLD/PMLD, autism, SEMH, sensory (VI/HI), MLD, physical/medical.
- Section 33 sets the presumption of mainstream. The case for special school must show mainstream is incompatible with the efficient education of others or contrary to parental wishes.
- Independent special schools can be named in Section I if the LA agrees or is directed by the tribunal.
Special schools in England are designated by the type of need they serve: SLD/PMLD; autism (specific or generic); SEMH; sensory (VI/HI); MLD; physical/medical; or a combination. Special schools typically have small class sizes (6–12 pupils), high adult-to-pupil ratios, on-site or peripatetic therapy teams, and a curriculum adapted from the National Curriculum or built around the Engagement Model (DfE 2020) for pupils not yet at subject-specific learning.
Section 33 of the Children and Families Act 2014 sets the presumption of mainstream. To name a special school in Section I, the case must show that mainstream placement is incompatible with the efficient education of others or contrary to the parent's wishes (where parents prefer specialist). In practice the strongest cases for special schools include severe sensory or cognitive impairment, significant behavioural support need that mainstream cannot deliver safely, and a complex medical / physical profile.
Independent and non-maintained special schools (section 41 institutions) can be named in Section I if the LA agrees or is directed by the tribunal. The LA can refuse on the "efficient use of resources" ground, but the comparison must be like-for-like. A mainstream place plus full Section F provision may cost more than the independent special school once everything is counted.
OFSTED publishes inspection reports for every state-funded special school; non-maintained schools are inspected by OFSTED or by an independent inspectorate. Parents considering specialist placement should visit (most special schools welcome visits with the SENCO or admissions lead), read the most recent OFSTED report, and check the school's experience with the child's specific profile.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Special School.
Mainstream School
A standard primary or secondary school that admits all children, including those with SEND. Most children with SEND attend mainstream schools, with or without an EHCP.
Section I (EHCP)
The section of an EHCP naming the school or type of school the child will attend. Parents can request a specific school, and the LA must name it unless narrow legal grounds apply.
Education, Health and Care Plan(EHCP)
A legally binding document, issued by a local authority in England, that describes a child or young person's special educational needs and the provision the LA must arrange to meet them.
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty(PMLD)
A combination of profound learning disability and additional disabilities (often physical, sensory, or medical) requiring high levels of personal care and highly individualised learning.
Severe Learning Difficulty(SLD)
A significant intellectual or cognitive impairment that has a major effect on a child's ability to take part in the curriculum. Most children with SLD need a highly differentiated specialist setting.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page during the Section I conversation at draft or tribunal stage, often after years in mainstream where progress has slowed. Searches include "how to name special school in EHCP", "independent special school tribunal", and "section 41 special schools list". A Beaakon advocate or SEND solicitor can build the case for the right specialist placement, line up the evidence for tribunal, and challenge an LA's section 39(4) refusal.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.