Showing 1-9 of 53 schools
- Aurora Hanley School
- Blackfriars Academy
- Bluebell School
- Cicely Haughton School
- Coppice Academy
- Greenhall
- Heather Field School
- Two Rivers High School
- Two Rivers Primary School
- Hopedale School
- Mortimer House School
- Saxon Hill Academy
- Sycamore Meadow Outdoor Learning Centre
- The Fountains Primary School
- Compass Community School Staffordshire
- Newfriars College
- Elm House School
- Kaleidoscope School
- Little Kinvaston School
- The Haven School
Special Schools in Staffordshire
There are 53 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Staffordshire. 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 Staffordshire
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 Staffordshire
Showing 1-53 of 53 schools
- Aurora Hanley School
Hanley
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Blackfriars Academy
Cross Heath
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Bluebell School
Kidsgrove
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cicely Haughton School
Westwood
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Coppice Academy
Westlands
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Greenhall
Holmcroft
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 2 to 5 · Co-educational · Day
- Heather Field School
Milford
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Two Rivers High School
Dosthill
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Two Rivers Primary School
Amington
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Hopedale School
Leek
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Mortimer House School
Town Centre
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Saxon Hill Academy
Kings Hill
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Hearing Impairment, 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 & boarding
- Sycamore Meadow Outdoor Learning Centre
Cheadle
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Fountains Primary School
Stretton
FMS Inspection Score 8.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Staffordshire
Weston
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 11 to 17 · Boys · Day
- Newfriars College
Shelton
FMS Inspection Score 8.3/10 · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Elm House School
Cheadle
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 5 to 14 · Co-educational · Day
- Kaleidoscope School
Porthill
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Little Kinvaston School
Haughton
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- The Haven School
Dunston
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Loxley Hall School
Uttoxeter
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Horton Lodge Community Special School
Rudyard
FMS Inspection Score 7.6/10 · Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Rugeley School
Blithbury
FMS Inspection Score 7.2/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Wightwick Hall School
Compton
FMS Inspection Score 7.1/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Chasetown Community School
Chasetown
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 13 · Co-educational · Day
- Cherry Trees School
Wombourne
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Draycott Moor College
Draycott-in-the-Moors
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 10 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Hednesford Valley High School
Hednesford
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Ivetsey Bank Hospital School
Wheaton Aston
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Longridge School
Penkridge
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Lyme Brook Independent School
Newcastle-under-Lyme
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 8 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Maple Hayes Hall School
Abnalls
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Marshlands School
Tillington
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, Visual Impairment · Ages 5 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Merryfields School
Westlands
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Parkgate Farm
Ipstones
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Queen's Croft High School
Boley Park
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Robin's Nest School
Penkridge
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Rocklands School
Boley Park
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Sherbrook Primary School
Sherbrook
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Springfield School
Leek
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 3 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- The Fountains High School
Stretton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulty, 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 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Meadows School
Leek
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Walton Hall Academy
Eccleshall
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Castle Hill School
Alsager
FMS Inspection Score 5.4/10 · Ages 7 to 14 · Co-educational · Day
- Roaches School
Knypersley
FMS Inspection Score 1/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Great Oaks College
Longford
Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Longdon Hall School
Longdon Green
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Options Trent Acres School
Kings Bromley
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Achieve Beyond Schools, Stafford
Stafford
Ages 5 to 13 · Co-educational · Day
- Beacon Independent School
Cannock
Ages 9 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Ladybird Manor School
London
Ages 5 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Sutherland School
Tamworth
Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Manor School
Uttoxeter
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 Staffordshire?
This page currently lists 53 special schools in Staffordshire, 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 Staffordshire?
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 Staffordshire?
Across Staffordshire, 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.