Showing 1-9 of 45 schools
- Oakwood Specialist College
- The Libra School
- Vranch House School
- Acorn School
- Tor View School
- Ellen Tinkham School
- Lifeworks College
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
- Mill Water School
- Pathfield School
- Cambian Devon School
- Phoenix Bay School
- The Lampard Community School
- Highgate Hill House School
- Quay View School
- Orchard Manor School
- Bidwell Brook School
- Belong School Devon
- ACE Tiverton Special School
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
Special Schools in Devon
There are 45 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Devon. 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 Devon
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 Devon
Showing 1-45 of 45 schools
- Oakwood Specialist College
Dawlish
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- The Libra School
South Radworthy
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Vranch House School
Pinhoe
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
- Acorn School
Winkleigh
FMS Inspection Score 8.9/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Tor View School
Kilworthy
FMS Inspection Score 8.9/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Ellen Tinkham School
Pinhoe
FMS Inspection Score 8.4/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Lifeworks College
Shinners Bridge
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
Littleham
FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Mill Water School
Bicton
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · 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, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Pathfield School
Pilton
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cambian Devon School
Paignton Town Centre
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Phoenix Bay School
Newton Abbot
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Lampard Community School
Pilton
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Highgate Hill House School
Whitstone
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Quay View School
Bere Alston
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Orchard Manor School
Dawlish
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Bidwell Brook School
Dartington
FMS Inspection Score 7.3/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Belong School Devon
St Thomas
FMS Inspection Score 7.2/10 · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- ACE Tiverton Special School
Tiverton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
Littleham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Glendinning Academy
Highweek
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Heather Bridge School
Yelverton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 6 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Infocus College
Countess Wear
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Visual Impairment · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- K-HQ
Dulford
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Girls · Day
- Marland School
Peters Marland
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- On Track Education Barnstaple
Roundswell
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- On Track Education Totnes
Totnes
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Multi-Sensory Impairment, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- On Track Education West Yarner
Dun Cross
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Outdoors School
Barton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Wildings
Talaton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Southbrook School
Countess Wear
FMS Inspection Score 5.9/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Barley Lane School
St Thomas
FMS Inspection Score 5.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- ROC College
Totnes
FMS Inspection Score 5.3/10 · Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Running Deer School
Bovey Tracey
FMS Inspection Score 5.3/10 · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Magdalen Court School
St Thomas
FMS Inspection Score 4.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Promise School
Okehampton
FMS Inspection Score 1.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Breakthrough College
Avonwick
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Fieldstone School
Highweek
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Greater Horseshoe School
Heathfield
Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Beyond Creative Education
Ashburton
Ages 14 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Holme Court School Devon
Beaworthy
Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Redwood River School
The Dartington Estate
Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Wildings Lovaton
Lovaton
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Castlebridge School
Tavistock
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Oakwood Specialist College
East Cliff
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · 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 Devon?
This page currently lists 45 special schools in Devon, 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 Devon?
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 Devon?
Across Devon, 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.