Showing 1-9 of 30 schools
- Critchill Special School
- Fiveways Special School
- Marchant Holliday School
- Park House School
- Petherton Park School
- Avalon School
- Selworthy Special School
- Polden Bower School
- Fromefield Manor School
- Compton Dundon School
- Aurora Foxes
- Cambian Lufton College
- Silver Bridge School
- Chilton Bridge School
- North Hill House
- Sedgemoor Manor School
- Cambian Somerset School
- Fairmead School
- Inaura School
- The Levels School
Special Schools in Somerset
There are 30 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Somerset. 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 4 to 25.
All special schools by areaHow special-school admissions work in Somerset
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 Somerset
Showing 1-30 of 30 schools
- Critchill Special School
Nunney
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Fiveways Special School
Penn Hill
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Marchant Holliday School
North Cheriton
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 14 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Park House School
Cheddon Fitzpaine
FMS Inspection Score 8.5/10 · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Petherton Park School
Newton
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Avalon School
Street
FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · 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 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Selworthy Special School
Holway
FMS Inspection Score 8.1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Polden Bower School
Bower
FMS Inspection Score 8/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Other Difficulty/Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Fromefield Manor School
Frome town centre
FMS Inspection Score 7.8/10 · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Compton Dundon School
Compton Dundon
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Aurora Foxes
Minehead
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Cambian Lufton College
Lufton
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Silver Bridge School
Taunton
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Chilton Bridge School
Chilton Cantelo
FMS Inspection Score 7.3/10 · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- North Hill House
Fromefield
FMS Inspection Score 7.2/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Sedgemoor Manor School
Mark
FMS Inspection Score 7.2/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cambian Somerset School
Creech St Michael
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Fairmead School
Mudford
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Inaura School
Riverside
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Levels School
Ashcott
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Mendip School
Prestleigh
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Orchard School
Potters Bar
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Newbury Manor School
Newbury
FMS Inspection Score 5.2/10 · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Abbot's Way School
Meare
FMS Inspection Score 5/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- 3 Dimensions
Chardleigh Green
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Dovecote School
Shapwick
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Somerset Progressive School
West Hatch
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Wessex Lodge School
Frome
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Hill View School
Martock
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Sky Academy
Priorswood
Ages 5 to 16 · Boys · 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 Somerset?
This page currently lists 30 special schools in Somerset, 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 Somerset?
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 Somerset?
Across Somerset, 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.