Showing 1-9 of 28 schools
- Ashgate Croft School
- Brackenfield Special School
- Swanwick School and Sports College
- Stanton Vale School
- Alfreton Park Community Special School
- Bennerley Fields School
- Holbrook School for Autism
- Peak School
- Holly House Special School
- Stubbin Wood School
- Alderwasley Hall School
- Arnfield Independent School
- Bladon House School
- Bradshaw Farm Independent School
- Eastwood Grange School
- High Grange School
- Jasmine Grove School
- Jasmine House School
- Kershaw Wood
- Landmarks
Special Schools in Derbyshire
There are 28 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Derbyshire. 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 99.
All special schools by areaHow special-school admissions work in Derbyshire
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 Derbyshire
Showing 1-28 of 28 schools
- Ashgate Croft School
Ashgate
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Brackenfield Special School
Long Eaton
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Swanwick School and Sports College
Swanwick
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Stanton Vale School
Long Eaton
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Alfreton Park Community Special School
Alfreton Park
FMS Inspection Score 7.4/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Bennerley Fields School
Cotmanhay
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Holbrook School for Autism
Holbrook
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Peak School
Chinley
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Multi-Sensory Impairment, 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
- Holly House Special School
Old Whittington
FMS Inspection Score 5.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 14 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Stubbin Wood School
Shirebrook
FMS Inspection Score 2.3/10 · 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 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Alderwasley Hall School
Alderwasley
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 5 to 20 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Arnfield Independent School
Godley
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Bladon House School
Newton Solney
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Bradshaw Farm Independent School
Longnor
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Eastwood Grange School
Ashgate
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- High Grange School
Littleover
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Jasmine Grove School
Grassmoor
Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Jasmine House School
Heanor
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Kershaw Wood
Glossop
Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Landmarks
Littlemoor
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 16 to 99 · Co-educational · Day
- Longdon Park School
Hilton
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- New Direction
Brimington
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Old Sams Farm Independent School
Quarnford
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Pegasus School
Cauldwell
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Spring Valley School
Breaston
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- The Bayleaf Hub
Egginton
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Welden School
Aston-on-Trent
Ages 10 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Wellbrook School
Hatton
Ages 9 to 16 · 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 Derbyshire?
This page currently lists 28 special schools in Derbyshire, 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 Derbyshire?
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 Derbyshire?
Across Derbyshire, 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.