Showing 1-9 of 45 schools
- Brays School
- Longwill A Primary School for Deaf Children
- Priestley Smith School
- The Dame Ellen Pinsent School
- Wilson Stuart School
- Uffculme School
- Selly Oak Trust School
- Victoria School
- Braidwood School for the Deaf
- Lindsworth School
- Fox Hollies School
- Baskerville School
- Calthorpe Academy
- Cherry Oak School
- Hallmoor School
- James Brindley School
- Langley School
- Queensbury School
- Springfield House Community Special School
- The Bridge School
Special Schools in Birmingham
There are 45 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Birmingham. Together they support a range of needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty. Schools listed here span ages 2 to 25.
All special schools by areaHow special-school admissions work in Birmingham
Special-school places are allocated through the EHCP process and the local authority, not through academic selection or the standard admissions round. That is why this page presents provision and inspection quality rather than a league-table position.
It starts with an EHCP
Most special-school places require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The plan sets out a child’s needs and the support and provision the local authority must arrange.
You express a preference
During the EHCP process you can name the special school you would like your child to attend. The local authority must consider your preference and consult the schools involved.
The local authority names the school
Unlike mainstream admissions, you do not apply directly to the school. The local authority names the agreed school in Section I of the EHCP, and that named school then has a duty to admit your child.
SENDIASS can help
Your local SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) offers free, impartial guidance on EHCPs, expressing a preference, and what to do if you disagree with a decision.
Special Schools in Birmingham
Showing 1-45 of 45 schools
- Brays School
Sheldon
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Hearing Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Longwill A Primary School for Deaf Children
Northfield
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Hearing Impairment · Ages 2 to 12 · Co-educational · Day
- Priestley Smith School
Perry Beeches
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Dame Ellen Pinsent School
Kings Heath
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Wilson Stuart School
Erdington
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Uffculme School
Moseley
FMS Inspection Score 8.4/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Selly Oak Trust School
Selly Oak
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Victoria School
Northfield
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Braidwood School for the Deaf
Castle Bromwich
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · Hearing Impairment · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Lindsworth School
Kings Norton
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Fox Hollies School
Moseley
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Baskerville School
Harborne
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Calthorpe Academy
Highgate
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cherry Oak School
Selly Oak
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Hallmoor School
Kitts Green
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- James Brindley School
Edgbaston
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Langley School
Wylde Green
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Queensbury School
Erdington
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Springfield House Community Special School
Knowle
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- The Bridge School
Sutton Coldfield
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- The Pines Special School
Erdington
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 3 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Hamilton School
Handsworth
FMS Inspection Score 5.6/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 14 · Co-educational · Day
- Mayfield School
Handsworth
FMS Inspection Score 5.6/10 · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Kitts Green Academy
Lea Hall
FMS Inspection Score 4/10 · Ages 5 to 14 · Boys · Day
- Leycroft Academy
Lea Village
FMS Inspection Score 4/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Beaufort School
Hodge Hill
FMS Inspection Score 1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Heart of Birmingham Vocational College
Ward End
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Maple House School
Stirchley
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Myles Academy
Handsworth
Ages 13 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- New Horizon Academy
Erdington
Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- New Perspectives School
Balsall Heath
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- New Ways School
Kings Norton
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Oakbridge School
Newtown
Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Queen Alexandra College
Harborne
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Other Difficulty/Disability, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Red Boots School
Moseley
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability · Ages 3 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- R.Y.A.N Education Academy
Sparkbrook
Ages 13 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre
Bordesley Green
Ages 14 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Silver Birch School
Shard End
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Spring Hill High School
Erdington
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- St Paul's School
Balsall Heath
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Hive College
Perry Common
Ages 19 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Trinity Specialist College
Boldmere
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Victoria College
Northfield
Ages 19 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Oscott Manor School
Erdington
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Hopwood Hall School
Edgbaston
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
Frequently asked questions
What is a special school?
A special school educates children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who need more support than a mainstream school can usually provide. Most pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and schools are organised around specific types of need, such as autism, social and emotional needs, or severe and complex learning difficulties.
How many special schools are in Birmingham?
This page currently lists 45 special schools in Birmingham, ordered by inspection quality. Use the provision-type filter to narrow the list to the needs that matter most for your child.
How do I apply for a special school place in Birmingham?
Special school places are arranged through the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process, not through the normal school-admissions round. You name your preferred school in the EHCP, and the local authority decides which school to name in Section I after consulting the schools. Your local SENDIASS service offers free, impartial advice on expressing a preference and on the EHCP timeline.
What SEN types are supported in Birmingham?
Across Birmingham, provision covers needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs and Moderate Learning Difficulty.
Are special schools inspected by Ofsted?
Yes. State-funded special schools are inspected by Ofsted on the same framework as mainstream schools, and independent special schools are inspected by Ofsted or an approved inspectorate. We translate the latest inspection into an FMS Inspection Score so you can compare schools on a single consistent scale.
Do special schools follow the national curriculum and offer GCSEs?
Special schools follow a broad and balanced curriculum, adapted to each pupil. Many enter pupils for GCSEs, Functional Skills, and vocational qualifications where appropriate, while others focus on communication, independence, and life skills. The right mix depends on the school and the needs of its pupils.
How are special schools funded?
State special school places are funded by local authorities through the high-needs block, with additional top-up funding attached to each pupil with an EHCP. Independent and non-maintained special schools may be funded by the local authority where the EHCP names them, or privately by families.