Showing 1-9 of 27 schools
- Samuel Pepys School
- The Cavendish School
- The Martin Bacon Academy
- Meadowgate Academy
- Highfield Ely Academy
- Highfield Littleport Academy
- The Centre School
- Castle School, Cambridge
- The Harbour School
- Granta School
- Spring Common Academy
- Riverside Meadows Academy
- Active Learning Trust Linc 19 - 25
- Aurora Fairway School
- Aurora Meldreth Manor School
- Begdale House School
- Cambian Home Tree School
- Cambian Wisbech School
- Holme Court School
- Hope Tree School
Special Schools in Cambridgeshire
There are 27 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Cambridgeshire. 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 Cambridgeshire
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 Cambridgeshire
Showing 1-27 of 27 schools
- Samuel Pepys School
Eaton Socon
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Cavendish School
Impington
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Martin Bacon Academy
Arbury
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Meadowgate Academy
Meadowgate
FMS Inspection Score 9.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Highfield Ely Academy
Ely
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Highfield Littleport Academy
Littleport
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Centre School
Cottenham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Castle School, Cambridge
Arbury
FMS Inspection Score 6.2/10 · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Harbour School
Wilburton
FMS Inspection Score 5.9/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Boys · Day
- Granta School
Linton
FMS Inspection Score 4.6/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Spring Common Academy
Spring Common
FMS Inspection Score 4.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Riverside Meadows Academy
Barton
FMS Inspection Score 2.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Active Learning Trust Linc 19 - 25
Ely
Ages 19 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Aurora Fairway School
Fairfields
Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Aurora Meldreth Manor School
Meldreth
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Begdale House School
Elm
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Cambian Home Tree School
Friday Bridge
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 12 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Cambian Wisbech School
Wisbech
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Holme Court School
Cherry Hinton
Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Hope Tree School
Dry Drayton
Ages 7 to 16 · Girls · Day
- On Track Education Wisbech
Wisbech
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Papworth Hall School
Papworth Everard
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Selwyn Hall School
Foxton
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Shelldene House School
Wisbech
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 12 to 19 · Boys · Day
- The Old School House
Friday Bridge
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Prestley Wood Academy
Stukeley Meadows
Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Gretton School
Girton
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
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 Cambridgeshire?
This page currently lists 27 special schools in Cambridgeshire, 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 Cambridgeshire?
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 Cambridgeshire?
Across Cambridgeshire, 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.