Showing 1-9 of 80 schools
- Bower Grove School
- Five Acre Wood School
- Goldwyn School
- Laleham Gap School
- Leigh Academy Snowfields
- The Beacon Folkestone
- Leigh Academy Milestone
- Ifield School
- Grange Park School
- The Old Priory School
- Meadows School
- Nexus Foundation Special School
- Valence School
- Aspire School
- Broomhill Bank School
- Caldecott Foundation School
- Elms School
- Foreland Fields School
- Oakley School
- Portal House School
Special Schools in Kent
There are 80 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Kent. 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 Kent
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 Kent
Showing 1-80 of 80 schools
- Bower Grove School
Penenden Heath
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Five Acre Wood School
Boughton Monchelsea
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Goldwyn School
Great Chart
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Laleham Gap School
Ozengell
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Leigh Academy Snowfields
Popesfield
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Beacon Folkestone
Park Farm
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Leigh Academy Milestone
New Ash Green
FMS Inspection Score 9.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Ifield School
Ifield
FMS Inspection Score 9.1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Other Difficulty/Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Grange Park School
Wrotham
FMS Inspection Score 8.6/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Old Priory School
Ramsgate
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Meadows School
Southborough
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Nexus Foundation Special School
Haysden
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Valence School
Westerham
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Aspire School
Iwade
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Broomhill Bank School
Rusthall
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Caldecott Foundation School
Smeeth
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Elms School
River
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Foreland Fields School
Broadstairs
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Oakley School
Pembury
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Portal House School
St Margaret's-at-Cliffe
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Boys · Day
- St Anthony's School
Westgate-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- St Nicholas' School
Nunnery Fields
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, 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 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Stone Bay School
Stone Bay
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- The Wyvern School (Buxford)
Great Chart
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Meadowfield School
Murston
FMS Inspection Score 5.4/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Rowhill School
Longfield
FMS Inspection Score 4.7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Orchard School
Whitstable Road
FMS Inspection Score 4.4/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- ALP Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne
Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Bemix
University of Kent
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Birtley House Independent School
West Kingsdown
Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Brewood Secondary School
Deal
Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Coastal Park
Radnor Park
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Craftworks
Brogdale
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Dorton College of Further Education
Orpington
Visual Impairment · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Folkestone Beacon Plus
Folkestone Town Centre
Ages 18 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Great Oaks Small School
Minster
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Greenfields School
Biddenden
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Grow 19
Snodland
Ages 18 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Haven Nook
Canterbury City Centre
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Hawthorn
Petham
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Heath Farm School
Charing Heath
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Helen Allison School
Meopham
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Hilden Park
Hildenborough
Ages 6 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Hope View School
Chilham
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Boys · Day
- Infiniti School
Doddington
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- ISP School
Conyer
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- ISP School Whitstable
Whitstable Town Centre
Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Kings Park School
Kingsnorth
Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- King's Reach Education
Barming
Ages 11 to 25 · Boys · Day
- KITE College
Eurolink
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Ringwould
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Liberty College
Westwood
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Life Skills Manor
Sandwich
Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Lighthouse On the Marsh
New Romney
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- LINK19 College
Northfleet
Ages 19 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Little Acorns School
Tenterden
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Maple Tree Primary School
Broadstairs
Ages 7 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Medway Green School
Wouldham
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Newingate School
St. Dunstan's
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Parkview Academy
Margate
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Pier View Academy
Gravesend Town Centre
Ages 11 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Ripplevale School
Ripple
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 6 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Serenity School Maidstone
Sandling
Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Small Haven School
Newington
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- SupaJam Education In Music and Media
Swanley
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- The Annex School House
Hextable
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Davenport School
Foxborough Hill
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 12 · Co-educational · Day
- The Elmley Dray School
Minster-on-Sea
Ages 9 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Llewellyn School and Nursery
Birchington
Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- The Oaks Specialist College
Cage Green
Ages 18 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- The Quest School
Paddock Wood
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Sallygate School
Kearsney
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- The T3 School
Ashford
Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The View School
Edenbridge
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- West Heath School
West Heath
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 9 to 20 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- White Rocks Farm
Underriver
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodpecker Court
Eythorne
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Yew Tree Farm School
Murston
Ages 7 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- YMCA West Kent
Shipbourne Road
Ages 16 to 24 · Co-educational · Day
- Nore Academy
Minster-on-Sea
Ages 11 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 Kent?
This page currently lists 80 special schools in Kent, 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 Kent?
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 Kent?
Across Kent, 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.