Difference between "Specialist" and "Special" School

[CuriousityKatkin]

Could anyone explain the difference between a Special School and a Specialist School? Is it simply because the latter is independent and the former LA maintained? Are they the same thing or are there differences in the type of children they will take? Also does one have to conform to stricter standards of SEN provision and care? Is a Specialist school even SEN? Would really appreciate any wisdom as finding it all rather confusing - thanks so much!

A specialist school might specialise in almost anything and may or may not be a school for special needs although specialist schools for dyslexia or ASD exist.
A special school is usually LA maintained although I know of at least one which has gone down the academy route. It will often take pupils with a range of special needs most often complex needs.

I'm interested in this topic as my son attends an an independent "specialist" school. He has very severe dyslexia. I was lead to believe that this particular school took children who require learning support but not those with social/behaviour problems. This is where things have now become tricky. There appear to be a lot of children who do need support for their social anxiety and sometimes volatile and violent outbursts which the school doesn't seem to provide. It seems that it falls outside of the legislation of "standards" required as being independent is not accountable to the local authority. In our experience, the diversity of children's needs means that the staff can't support all the children adequately. I have tried to complain that I feel there should be better supervision, especially during break times, but being independent there attitude seems to be if you don't like it there's the door. I would also like to know if there is a difference and and of so whether independent schools can do as they please and not have to have adequate support and safeguarding in place!?