Showing 1-9 of 14 schools
- Appleford School
- The Springfields Academy
- Downland School
- Exeter House Special School
- Silverwood School
- Compass Community School Athelstan Park
- Compass Community School Wheatley Park
- Coombe House School
- Fairfield College
- Meadow Bridge School
- On Track Education Centre Westbury
- The Eaves Learning Centre
- The Spires
- SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learning)
Special Schools in Wiltshire
There are 14 special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Wiltshire. 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 Wiltshire
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 Wiltshire
Showing 1-14 of 14 schools
- Appleford School
Shrewton
FMS Inspection Score 10/10 · Other Difficulty/Disability, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 7 to 18 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- The Springfields Academy
Calne
FMS Inspection Score 9/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language and Communication Needs · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Downland School
Roundway
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Specific Learning Difficulty · Ages 10 to 16 · Co-educational · Day
- Exeter House Special School
Fisherton
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty · Ages 2 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Silverwood School
Rowde
FMS Inspection Score 7/10 · Ages 4 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Athelstan Park
Westbury
Ages 8 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Compass Community School Wheatley Park
Rodbourne Cheney
Ages 7 to 17 · Co-educational · Day
- Coombe House School
Donhead St Mary
Ages 5 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- Fairfield College
Dilton Marsh
Moderate Learning Difficulty · Ages 16 to 25 · Co-educational · Day & boarding
- Meadow Bridge School
Shrivenham
Ages 6 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- On Track Education Centre Westbury
Westbury
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 11 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- The Eaves Learning Centre
Westbury
Ages 8 to 19 · Co-educational · Day
- The Spires
St Paul's
Ages 6 to 18 · Co-educational · Day
- SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learning)
Wilton
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health · Ages 4 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 Wiltshire?
This page currently lists 14 special schools in Wiltshire, 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 Wiltshire?
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 Wiltshire?
Across Wiltshire, 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.