Lincolnshire schools collage

Special Schools in Lincolnshire

There are 27 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Lincolnshire. 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 20.

All special schools by area
Key Performance Metrics for Lincolnshire
Average FMS Inspection Score (out of 10)
Lincolnshire
8.4/10vsEngland
8.0/10

How special-school admissions work in Lincolnshire

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 Lincolnshire

Showing 1-27 of 27 schools

  1. Fortuna School

    Doddington Park

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  2. Gosberton House Academy

    Gosberton

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  3. Newton Bridge Academy

    Barrowby Gate

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  4. The Eresby School, Spilsby

    Spilsby

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  5. The St Francis Special School, Lincoln

    Ermine Estate

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  6. Tulip Academy

    Spalding

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, 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 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  7. Warren Wood School

    Morton

    FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day

  8. The Lincoln St Christopher's School

    Birchwood

    FMS Inspection Score 8.9/10 · 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 · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  9. The Pilgrim School

    Carholme

    FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  10. Athena School

    South Park

    FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  11. Boston Endeavour Academy

    Pilgrim

    FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  12. Willoughby Academy

    Bourne

    FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  13. Aegir School

    Gainsborough

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  14. Greenfields Academy

    Barrowby Gate

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  15. St Bernard's School

    Louth

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · 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, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  16. St Lawrence School

    Horncastle

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · 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, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  17. Woodlands Academy

    Spilsby

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  18. Aspiration House School

    Boston

    Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  19. Bridge House Independent School

    Boston town centre

    Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  20. Compass Community School Lincolnshire

    Sleaford

    Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day

  21. Esland Grantham School

    Barrowby Gate

    Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  22. Holton Sleaford Independent School

    Sleaford

    Ages 9 to 20 · Co-educational · Day

  23. Kisimul School

    Swinderby

    Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  24. Oakwood House Independent School

    Kirton

    Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  25. Tudor Lodge Therapeutic School

    Whaplode

    Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  26. Willow School

    Sleaford

    Ages 7 to 14 · Co-educational · Day

  27. Witham Prospect School

    Skellingthorpe

    Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

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 Lincolnshire?

This page currently lists 27 special schools in Lincolnshire, 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 Lincolnshire?

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 Lincolnshire?

Across Lincolnshire, 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.