Showing 1-9 of 25 schools
- Condover College
- Amberleigh Therapeutic School
- The Henslow and Evolution School
- The Gables Learning Centre
- Westbury School
- The Mews
- Derwen College
- Access School
- Acorn Wood
- Bettws Lifehouse
- Esland Shropshire School
- Harlescott House School
- Oakwood School
- Physis Academy
- Severndale Specialist Academy
- The Fitzroy Academy
- Darwin School
- Woodlands School
- Compass Community School Vicarage Park
- The Keystone Academy
Special Schools in Shropshire
There are 25 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Shropshire. 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 Shropshire
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 Shropshire
Showing 1-25 of 25 schools
- Condover College
Grafton
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Multi-Sensory Impairment, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 18 to 24 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Amberleigh Therapeutic School
Redhill
FMS Inspection Score 8.9/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Boys · Day
- The Henslow and Evolution School
Middletown
FMS Inspection Score 8.4/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Gables Learning Centre
Codsall
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Westbury School
Westbury
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Mews
Potters Bar
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Derwen College
Gobowen
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Physical Disability, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Access School
Harmer Hill
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Acorn Wood
Coton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Bettws Lifehouse
Kingsland
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Esland Shropshire School
Bridgnorth
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Harlescott House School
Harlescott
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 8 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Oakwood School
Potters Bar
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Physis Academy
Whitchurch
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Girls · Day
- Severndale Specialist Academy
Monkmoor
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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
- The Fitzroy Academy
Cruckton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Darwin School
Potters Bar
FMS Inspection Score 6.4/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodlands School
Wem
FMS Inspection Score 6.3/10 · Ages 9 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Vicarage Park
Bewdley
FMS Inspection Score 5.9/10 · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Keystone Academy
Meole Brace
FMS Inspection Score 5.9/10 · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Lamledge School
Shifnal
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Options Higford
Higford
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Overton School
Ludlow
Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Smallbrook School
Sleap
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- OneSchool Global Oswestry Campus
Gabowen
Ages 7 to 18 · 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 Shropshire?
This page currently lists 25 special schools in Shropshire, 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 Shropshire?
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 Shropshire?
Across Shropshire, 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.