Showing 1-9 of 26 schools
- Chailey Heritage School
- Glyne Gap School
- Hazel Court School
- Saxon Mount School
- Summerdown School
- The Lindfield School
- The South Downs School
- Torfield School
- St Mary's School and 6th Form College
- Cuckmere House School
- Frewen College
- New Horizons School
- Northease Manor School
- St Mary's School
- The Flagship School
- The Ropemakers' Academy
- Acre Wood Academy
- Anderida Learning Centre
- Bricklehurst Manor School
- Headstart
Special Schools in East Sussex
There are 26 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in East Sussex. 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 East Sussex
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 East Sussex
Showing 1-26 of 26 schools
- Chailey Heritage School
North Chailey
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Physical Disability · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Glyne Gap School
Glyne Gap
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Hazel Court School
Langney
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Saxon Mount School
St. Leonards-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Summerdown School
Langney
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 3 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Lindfield School
Hampden Park
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The South Downs School
Old Town
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Torfield School
St Leonards-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- St Mary's School and 6th Form College
Little Common
FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Cuckmere House School
Seaford
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 6 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Frewen College
Northiam
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- New Horizons School
St. Leonards-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Northease Manor School
Rodmell
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- St Mary's School
Horam
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 9 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- The Flagship School
The Ridge
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 6 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Ropemakers' Academy
Hailsham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Acre Wood Academy
Crowborough
Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Anderida Learning Centre
Langney
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Bricklehurst Manor School
Stonegate
Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Headstart
Ninfield
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 21 · Co-educational · Day
- ISP School
Glengorse
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Little Gate College
Beckley
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Mountfield Heath School
John's Cross
Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Step by Step School
East Grinstead
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Mount Camphill Community
Wadhurst
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Compass Community School Pinetree Park
Kingston
Ages 7 to 19 · 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 East Sussex?
This page currently lists 26 special schools in East Sussex, 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 East Sussex?
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 East Sussex?
Across East Sussex, 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.