Showing 1-9 of 38 schools
- Banks House School
- Sheringham Woodfields School
- The Clare School
- The Parkside School, Norwich
- Turnstone House School
- All Saints School
- Aurora White House School
- Chapel Green School
- Avocet House
- Bure Park Specialist Academy
- Eaton Hall Specialist Academy
- The Damara School
- The Lighthouse
- The Stables Independent School
- Orchard Manor School
- John Grant School, Caister-on-Sea
- Kingsbrook School
- The Bridge Easton
- Fred Nicholson School
- Future Education
Special Schools in Norfolk
There are 38 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Norfolk. 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 19.
All special schools by areaHow special-school admissions work in Norfolk
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 Norfolk
Showing 1-38 of 38 schools
- Banks House School
Costessey
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 13 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Sheringham Woodfields School
Sheringham
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, 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 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Clare School
Eaton
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Parkside School, Norwich
Earlham
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, 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 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Turnstone House School
Ditchingham
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- All Saints School
Lessingham
FMS Inspection Score 9.3/10 · Ages 6 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Aurora White House School
Quidenham
FMS Inspection Score 8.9/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Chapel Green School
Attleborough
FMS Inspection Score 8.6/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, 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 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Avocet House
Poringland
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Bure Park Specialist Academy
Southtown
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Eaton Hall Specialist Academy
Eaton
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- The Damara School
Thetford town centre
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Lighthouse
Easton
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- The Stables Independent School
Wroxham
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 6 to 14 · Co-educational · Day
- Orchard Manor School
Stow Bardolph
FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- John Grant School, Caister-on-Sea
Caister-on-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · 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, Visual Impairment · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Kingsbrook School
Southburgh
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Bridge Easton
Easton
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Fred Nicholson School
Toftwood
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · 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 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Future Education
Hellesdon
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 13 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Hall School
Old Catton
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · 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, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Aurora Eccles School
Quidenham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Churchill Park Complex Needs School
Fairstead
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Eld Park
Eld Park
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Harford Manor School, Norwich
Lakenham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Novaturient School
Great Yarmouth Town Centre
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Nurture Education Trust
Hellesdon
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Red Balloon Educational Trust-Norfolk
Earlham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Sheridan House School
Thetford
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Sidestrand Hall School
Sidestrand
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, Visual Impairment · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- St Andrew's School
Aylmerton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 6 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Wherry School
Mousehold
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- West Raynham School
West Raynham
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 5 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Duke of Lancaster School
Fakenham
FMS Inspection Score 5.6/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Acorn Park School
Wymondham
Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Community-Ed Academy
Southtown
Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Westfield House School
South Lynn
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Fen Rivers Academy
West Winch
Ages 4 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 Norfolk?
This page currently lists 38 special schools in Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?
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 Norfolk?
Across Norfolk, 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.