Showing 1-9 of 25 schools
- Fitzwaryn School
- Frank Wise School
- Mulberry Bush School
- Northern House Academy
- Oxfordshire Hospital School
- Swalcliffe Park School CIO
- The Iffley Academy
- Bardwell School
- Bishopswood School
- Mabel Prichard School
- Endeavour Academy, Oxford
- John Watson School
- Kingfisher School
- LVS Oxford
- Springfield School
- Orion Academy
- Aurora Rowan School
- Chilworth House School
- Chilworth House Upper School
- Huckleberry Therapeutic School
Special Schools in Oxfordshire
There are 25 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Oxfordshire. 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 areaHow special-school admissions work in Oxfordshire
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 Oxfordshire
Showing 1-25 of 25 schools
- Fitzwaryn School
Wantage
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, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Frank Wise School
Grimsbury
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Mulberry Bush School
Standlake
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 12 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Northern House Academy
Jericho
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Oxfordshire Hospital School
Blackbird Leys
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Swalcliffe Park School CIO
Swalcliffe
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 19 · Boys · Day & boarding
- The Iffley Academy
Iffley
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Bardwell School
Kingsmere
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Bishopswood School
Sonning Common
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · 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 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Mabel Prichard School
Cowley
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Endeavour Academy, Oxford
Headington
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- John Watson School
Wheatley
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Other Difficulty/Disability, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Kingfisher School
Radley Road
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
- LVS Oxford
Begbroke
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 11 to 20 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Springfield School
Madley Park
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 · Ages 3 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Orion Academy
Blackbird Leys
FMS Inspection Score 4.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 18 · Boys · Day
- Aurora Rowan School
Tokers Green
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Chilworth House School
Cowley
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 12 · Co-educational · Day
- Chilworth House Upper School
Chilworth
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Huckleberry Therapeutic School
Wantage
Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Park School
Chipping Norton
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Sandwell Learning Centre
Carterton
Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Bloxham Grove Academy
Bloxham
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodeaton Manor School
Woodeaton
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Unicorn School
Abingdon
Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 6 to 19 · 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 Oxfordshire?
This page currently lists 25 special schools in Oxfordshire, 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 Oxfordshire?
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 Oxfordshire?
Across Oxfordshire, 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.