Showing 1-9 of 31 schools
- Manor Green Primary School
- Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School, Horsham
- St Anthony's School
- Brantridge School
- Manor Green College
- Oak Grove College
- Fordwater School, Chichester
- Herons Dale School
- Ingfield Manor School
- Littlegreen Academy
- LVS Hassocks
- Muntham House School
- Palatine Primary School
- Woodlands Meed
- Cornfield School, Littlehampton
- Apple Orchard School
- Brighton Forward
- Central Education
- Courtlands Independent Special School
- Farney Close School
Special Schools in West Sussex
There are 31 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex. 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 West Sussex
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 West Sussex
Showing 1-31 of 31 schools
- Manor Green Primary School
Ifield
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School, Horsham
Comptons
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- St Anthony's School
Lavant
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Brantridge School
Staplefield
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 6 to 11 · Boys · Day
- Manor Green College
Ifield
FMS Inspection Score 7.7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Oak Grove College
Goring-by-Sea
FMS Inspection Score 7.5/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Multi-Sensory Impairment, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 11 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Fordwater School, Chichester
Summersdale
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Herons Dale School
Southwick
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, 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
- Ingfield Manor School
Five Oaks
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Physical Disability · Ages 3 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Littlegreen Academy
Compton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 7 to 16 · Boys · Day
- LVS Hassocks
Sayers Common
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Muntham House School
Barns Green
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Palatine Primary School
Goring
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 4 to 11 · Co-educational · Day
- Woodlands Meed
Burgess Hill
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, Visual Impairment · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Cornfield School, Littlehampton
Wick
FMS Inspection Score 5.2/10 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 8 to 16 · Boys · Day
- Apple Orchard School
Roffey
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Boys · Day & boarding
- Brighton Forward
Teville Gate
Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day
- Central Education
Lindfield
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Courtlands Independent Special School
Goring
Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Farney Close School
Bolney
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 9 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Hambrook School
Hambrook
Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Hove Micro-School
Hove
Ages 5 to 14 · Co-educational · Day
- Manor House School
Slinfold
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- My Choice School Arundel
Warningcamp
Other Difficulty/Disability, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- New Barn School
Broadbridge Heath
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Philpots Manor School
West Hoathly
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 7 to 19 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Red Balloon Worthing Learner Centre
Worthing
Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Seadown School
East Worthing
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 6 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Serenity School Crawley
Hazelwick
Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- Springboard Education
Lancing
Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 5 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Amicus School
Arundel
Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 5 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 West Sussex?
This page currently lists 31 special schools in West Sussex, 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 West Sussex?
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 West Sussex?
Across West Sussex, 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.