Is there a list of special schools anywhere? Really struggling

[used2bthin]

I am looking for a school that specialises in speech and language but can't find a list of special schools either. Ideally I am looking for a list that includes the private schools as well. I am looking accross three counties and so far only two have lists of special schools and then they are only the local authority ones.

Thanks if anyone can help I would be really grateful. Schools with a unit attached would also interest me so anything really I just am running out of places to look.

Have you googled your area?

ie type in "Special schools list dorsetshire"

Yes I have, found them for my direct area although the list was out of date but no luck with Bucks, Berkshire or Wiltshire.

Thanks though!

AFAIK nobody collates one of these but I would start by tlaking to people like iCan and other charities that would know.

And spoting on here with the direct Q about schools in X area; we found both the boy's special units (bases attached to MS schools) via word of mouth and MN is really just that is it not/

check each areas goverment website.

One place to start is the ofsted website - they will list all the maintained schools and give their latest reports. You can sort by type of school eg mainstream or special and also by distance from your postcode.

For private schools there is the gabbitas website.

You may also find some lists via specialist speech and language charities/ dyslexia charities like www.ican.org.uk/ or www.afasicengland.org.uk/

hth.

Buckinghamshire special schools

When we received DD's proposed statement there was a list of special schools attached which covered the whole of England.

The list would have come from our Local Council so it may be worth asking them.

Thank you for the replies sorry had a phone call. I found out about one through AFAISIC but it wasn't quite right for DD. Ican have been amazing and they are exactly the kind of place I am after but doesn't seem to be an option unless we move which we can't right now.

We haven't got a statement yet but will get in touch with the LEA and ask for a list, also will try ofsted. Gap in the market for a list definately!

oh thanks Lougle will check that out too. Think there is a language unit in Bucks but too far from me. But will look at the schools on your link in case there is anything else.

Either buy or try and get this book in a libary.
www.schoolsforspecialneeds.co.uk/

This was the list of non-maintained special schools sent to us by our LA, I think it must be a little out of date as there are some newer ones in my area that aren't on the list.

I used the Gabbitas guide mentioned by colettemum3 which lists both independent and state special schools, by county and it tells you which type of SN as well. Our PP had a copy, though it was a few years old - check your library/PP/other local organisations.

our LA sent a list of all schools (including indipendent) in our & neighbouring counties with ds2's statement, your LA or parent partnership should eb able to provide a list

Get a copy of Gabbitas "Schools for SEN" 15 edition from the libuary.

www.specialeducationalneeds.co.uk/Resources/List%20of%20SEN%20Independent%20Schools%20and%20NMSSs_15.01.10.xls

This is the most recent version of the DFE list.

Hi,

I am an editor at a publishers, John Catt Educational. We publish a guide called Which School? for Special Needs.

It is a directory of all the independent and non-maintained schools and colleges in the UK which provide for children and young adults with sensory or physical impairment; learning difficulties; social, emotional and behavioural difficulties; and autistic spectrum disorders.

You should be able to find it in your local library (if not, ask why not!). Otherwise it is for sale from internet bookshops.

We also run the sister website: www.specialneedsguide.co.uk/

You should be able to find plenty of information there.

Thank you everyone, I think it really may be that we have nothing within 45mins of us!I will have a closer look at the links though. Sorry to have disappered I should have movewd house so no internet connection at home.

EditorAlex,

Sorry to point out the obvious but (aside form advertising - there is a fee charged for this usually), your website is certainly NOT a guide to ALL independent schools in the Uk providing for autism, at the very least.

How do I know this? well, my daughter's school is not listed. It is an independent school in Kent, catering for children with ASD.

usedtobthin -good luck in your search.

this kind of thing just highlights how woefully inadequate the services for SN are - when you can't even find out what schools are available, then how are oyu supposed ot make a fully informed decision?!

h

this is one of the leading S&L schools in the country, not quite in your area but its boarding, they don't take day pupils. www.moorhouse.surrey.sch.uk/

NAS website has a good search engine. It includes private and state and lists their specialisms. it is obviously written with ASD primarily in mind but it's a starting point

here

Bookmark it because the website is such a mass of information you might never find it again

I know it's a while since you posted and wondered if you were still looking? I recently have visited a few SS and MS with units in South Bucks if that's where you were looking or needed any info.

Hi mum2gkh thanks we are in oxfordshire but I am interested in all schools within reasonable distance. I am going ahead with the staetement so fingers x will have it by sept.

eatyourveg Moorhouse school will start to take Day pupils from Sept 2011 providing they are a commutable distance from the school for KEY STAGE 2

thanks for that jiggles01 very interesting!