You must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to apply to a special school.
Who can apply to a special school
To request a special school placement, the child must have:
- an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- severe and complex special educational needs
Most children with an EHCP go to a mainstream setting. Special schools meet the needs of children and young people with the most complex needs.
What special schools can help with
Special schools can meet a range of needs, including:
- communication and interaction
- cognition and learning
- social, emotional and mental health
- sensory and physical needs
Some schools specialise within these categories. For example, autism, blindness and vision loss, or speech, language and communication needs.
We place children in Essex special schools, not Independent or non-maintained schools. Independents are only used if there are no available spaces at an Essex special school.
If you think this could help your child, find out how to request a place at a special school.
Types of special schools
Schools that cater for pupils aged 3 to 19 with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) include:
- The Pioneer in Basildon
- The Edith Borthwick School in Braintree
- Glenwood School - in Benfleet
- Columbus School & College in Chelmsford
- Lexden Springs School in Colchester
- Oak View School in Epping Forest
- Harlow Fields School & College in Harlow
- Shorefields School in Tendring
Schools that cater for pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) include:
- Castledon School in Basildon, for pupils aged 5 to 19
- Thriftwood School & College in Chelmsford, for pupils aged 7 to 19
- The Endeavour Co-operative Academy in Brentwood, for pupils aged 5 to 19
- Cedar Hall School in Thundersley, for pupils aged 4 to 16
- Kingswode Hoe School in Colchester, for pupils aged 5 to 16
- Market Field School in Colchester, for pupils aged 4 to 19
- Harlow Fields School & College in Harlow, for pupils aged 3 to 19
Schools that cater for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH) include:
- Wells Park School in Chigwell, for pupils aged 5 to 11
- Langham Oaks School in Langham, for pupils aged 10 to 16
- Ramsden Hall Academy in Billericay, for pupils aged 10 to 16
- The Greenwell Academy in Harlow, for pupils aged 7 to 16
Schools that cater for Autistic pupils include:
- Chatten Free School in Witham, for pupils aged 4 to 19
- The Hawthorns School in Chelmsford, for pupils aged 7 to 16
Southview School in Witham caters for pupils aged 3 to 19 with Physical and Neurological Impairments (PNI).
Grove House School in Brentwood caters for pupils aged 8 to 19 with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties.
If you are not eligible to apply for a special school
If a special school is not the right option for your child right now, there is lots of other support are available.
This includes: