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Special Schools in Northumberland

There are 14 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Northumberland. 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 area
Key Performance Metrics for Northumberland
Average FMS Inspection Score (out of 10)
Northumberland
8.1/10vsEngland
8.0/10

How special-school admissions work in Northumberland

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 Northumberland

Showing 1-14 of 14 schools

  1. Cleaswell Hill School

    Guide Post

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, 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

  2. Hexham Priory School

    Hexham

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

  3. The Dales School

    Cowpen

    FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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 11 · Co-educational · Day

  4. The Grove Special School

    Tweedmouth

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

  5. Collingwood School & Media Arts College

    Stobhill

    FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  6. Barndale School

    Alnwick

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  7. Cramlington Hillcrest School

    East Cramlington

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day

  8. Emily Wilding Davison School

    Ponteland

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

  9. NCEA Castle School

    Ashington

    FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day

  10. Gilbert Ward Academy

    Crofton

    FMS Inspection Score 4.6/10 · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day

  11. Cambian Dilston College

    Dilston

    Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  12. Gust Independent School

    Ashington

    Ages 6 to 17 · Co-educational · Day

  13. Howard House School

    Bedlington

    Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding

  14. Rosewood Independent School

    Morpeth

    Ages 6 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 Northumberland?

This page currently lists 14 special schools in Northumberland, 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 Northumberland?

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 Northumberland?

Across Northumberland, 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.