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Special Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

There are 15 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Cheshire West and Chester. 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 19.

All special schools by area
Key Performance Metrics for Cheshire West and Chester
Average FMS Inspection Score (out of 10)
Cheshire West and Chester
8.1/10vsEngland
8.0/10

How special-school admissions work in Cheshire West and Chester

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 Cheshire West and Chester

Showing 1-15 of 15 schools

  1. Hinderton School

    Whitby

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  2. Oaklands School

    Over

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day

  3. The Russett School

    Weaverham

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  4. Greenbank School

    Hartford

    FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  5. Cloughwood Academy

    Hartford

    FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 18 · Boys · Day & boarding

  6. Archers Brook SEMH Residential School

    Great Sutton

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 9 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  7. Dorin Park School & Specialist SEN College

    Upton

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  8. Rosebank School

    Barnton

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  9. Dee Banks School

    Handbridge

    FMS Inspection Score 6.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  10. Abbey School for Exceptional Children

    Chester City Centre

    Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  11. iMap Centre

    Great Boughton

    Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  12. Maple Grove School

    Chester

    Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  13. Oak Cottage

    Allostock

    Ages 7 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  14. Rivacre Brook

    Hooton

    Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  15. Hebden Green Community School

    Hebden Green

    Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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 · Ages 2 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 Cheshire West and Chester?

This page currently lists 15 special schools in Cheshire West and Chester, 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 Cheshire West and Chester?

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 Cheshire West and Chester?

Across Cheshire West and Chester, 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.