Showing 1-9 of 40 schools
- Castledon School
- Chatten Free School
- Glenwood School
- Lift Pioneer
- Shorefields School
- Southview School
- Thriftwood School
- Wells Park School
- Kingswode Hoe School
- Grove House School
- The Hawthorns School
- Market Field School
- St John's RC School (Essex)
- The Greenwell Academy
- Clarity Independent School
- Endeavour Co-Operative Academy
- Langham Oaks
- Oak View School
- Ramsden Hall Academy
- The Edith Borthwick School
Special Schools in Essex
There are 40 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Essex. 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 3 to 99.
All special schools by areaHow special-school admissions work in Essex
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 Essex
Showing 1-40 of 40 schools
- Castledon School
Castledon
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Chatten Free School
Witham
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Other Difficulty/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 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Glenwood School
Thundersley
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Lift Pioneer
Ghyllgrove
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Other Difficulty/Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Shorefields School
Holland-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Southview School
Witham
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Thriftwood School
Galleywood
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Wells Park School
Lambourne End
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Kingswode Hoe School
Lexden
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Grove House School
South Weald
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Hawthorns School
Moulsham
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Market Field School
Elmstead Market
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- St John's RC School (Essex)
Woodford Green
FMS Inspection Score 7.4/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Greenwell Academy
Mark Hall
FMS Inspection Score 7.4/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Clarity Independent School
Writtle
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 6 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Endeavour Co-Operative Academy
South Weald
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Langham Oaks
Langham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Oak View School
Debden
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Ramsden Hall Academy
Ramsden Heath
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 10 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- The Edith Borthwick School
Great Notley
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cedar Hall School
Thundersley
FMS Inspection Score 5.3/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Harlow Fields School and College
Bush Fair
FMS Inspection Score 4.6/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Lift Columbus
Moulsham
FMS Inspection Score 3.5/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Athena School
Thorney Bay
Ages 8 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Cambian Great Dunmow School
Great Dunmow
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Community College Initiative
Chelmsford Town Centre
Ages 16 to 99 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Essex
Little Clacton
Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Doucecroft School
Eight Ash Green
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Luxborough Court School
Chigwell
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Minerva Independent School
Holland-on-Sea
Ages 8 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Omnia Foundation
Rayleigh
Ages 12 to 17 · Boys · Day
- Teaseldown School
Halstead
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Belsteads School
Little Waltham
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 10 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- The Tower School
Epping
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Yellow House School
Sible Hedingham
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 13 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodcroft School
Baldwins Hill
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Other Difficulty/Disability, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 5 to 13 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodend Farm School
Rivenhall
Ages 6 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Lexden Springs School
Lexden
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy
Moulsham
Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Octavia House Schools, Essex
Great Baddow
Ages 5 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 Essex?
This page currently lists 40 special schools in Essex, 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 Essex?
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 Essex?
Across Essex, 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.