Best Special Need Schools in South West

Easton Church of England Academy is a vibrant and welcoming primary school in Bristol. Our school community focuses on creating a tranquil, amiable environment where everyone feels valued and works hard. With a dedicated staff team and excellent ties to the local community, we provide a high-quality education that fosters personal development and academic achievement. Our outstanding student-teacher ratio of 20:1 ensures individual attention and support for each child. As an inclusive school, we welcome children from all faiths and backgrounds. Visit us to see why our parents and carers are proud to be part of our journey.

Linwood School is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering education for students aged 2 to 19 years. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and a strong focus on supporting pupils' independence, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment. The dedicated leadership team and quality teaching ensure that students make exceptional progress in their learning. Safeguarding is prioritized, providing peace of mind for parents. With a range of special educational needs catered for, including autism spectrum disorder, moderate to severe learning difficulties, and profound multiple learning difficulties, Linwood School is committed to meeting the individual needs of every student.

Brook Green Centre for Learning is an outstanding secondary school located in Plymouth. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school ensures personalized attention and exceptional education quality. The dedicated staff knows each pupil well and creates exciting activities to foster their learning. The school focuses strongly on mathematics achievement and provides accurate assessments to track progress in every subject. With outstanding leadership and effective safeguarding measures, parents can trust that their children are in safe hands. Brook Green Centre for Learning prepares students for the future by offering opportunities to attend local colleges, and almost all pupils continue their learning beyond the school. It also provides comprehensive careers advice and regularly checks on safeguarding practices. While some areas, such as staff handwriting and support for systematic, synthetic phonic skills, could be improved, the school's overall performance is exceptional.

Alderman Knight School is an outstanding middle deemed secondary co-ed school located in Tewkesbury. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, the school maintains high standards of teaching and provides strong support to pupils, helping them make outstanding progress. Under the leadership of Mrs Clare Steel, the headteacher, the school has excellent attitudes to learning and behaviour, and ensures a safe and secure environment for all students. The sixth form at Alderman Knight School enables students to achieve very well, and the school has received an overall grade of A+ from Snobe, including outstanding ratings in academics, teachers, and outcomes for pupils. With an outstanding Ofsted rating, the school excels in all aspects of education, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a high-quality learning environment for their children.

Tregonwell Academy is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering a high-quality education for students aged 5-16. Led by a passionate headteacher and dedicated staff, the school maintains excellent standards of teaching and leadership, ensuring the achievement and well-being of all students. With effective safeguarding measures in place, Tregonwell Academy provides a safe and engaging learning environment. While there are areas for improvement such as the need for more supported apprenticeships, the school consistently demonstrates its commitment to providing an outstanding education for its students.

Twynham School is an outstanding secondary school in Christchurch, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school prioritizes individualized attention and fosters excellent academic achievement. The school's leadership and management are highly regarded, ensuring outstanding teaching and learning. Students benefit from exceptional behavior and safety measures, while their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is strongly supported. Twynham School also offers an outstanding sixth form, providing a well-rounded education. With a focus on exceptional progress, this school is an ideal choice for parents seeking an outstanding education for their children.

The Thomas Hardye School is an outstanding secondary school located in Dorchester, South West. With exceptional teaching and leadership, the school achieves high standards of achievement in its students. It provides exceptional support for students with disabilities or special needs and offers a safe and secure learning environment. The school has a strong commitment to equality and offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for its students.

St John's Marlborough is an outstanding secondary school located in Marlborough, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a strong focus on achievement and behavior, our dedicated teachers challenge and motivate students to reach their full potential. We provide a stimulating environment where every student is valued and encouraged to develop resilience and independence. Our excellent academic standards, supported by an Outstanding Ofsted rating, ensure that students receive the highest quality education. We prioritize the holistic development of our students, fostering their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural growth. Join us at St John's Marlborough for a compassionate and structured educational experience.

Mayflower Academy is an outstanding primary school located in Plymouth. With high expectations of pupils' achievement and a well-planned curriculum, the school ensures excellent progress and rising standards. Skilled teachers in the support centre provide rapid progress for disadvantaged pupils. Pupils' confidence and resilience are purposefully developed, and there is a strong commitment to keeping them safe. With outstanding exam results and a nurturing learning environment, Mayflower Academy is the ideal choice for your child's education.

Fiveways Special School is an outstanding all-through school in Yeovil, South West, providing education for students aged 4-19 with severe and profound learning difficulties. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a highly dedicated staff, the school excels in delivering high-quality education and ensuring positive outcomes for all pupils. The leadership and management team, along with the governing body, have consistently maintained the outstanding quality of education. The school prioritizes safeguarding and provides a safe and nurturing environment for its students. While there may be higher levels of persistent absence, particularly for girls with medical conditions, the school's overall effectiveness and achievement of pupils are outstanding. Fiveways Special School is a place where every student is supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

Marland School is an all-through boarding school located in Peters Marland, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides individualized attention to ensure the academic and personal progress of each student. The school focuses on understanding and responding to students' emotional and social needs, supporting them towards their employment choices. With clear leadership and good improvements since the last inspection, Marland School provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Beaucroft Foundation School is an outstanding all-through school located in Colehill, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides a high-quality and supportive environment for students aged 4-19. The dedicated leadership and exceptional teaching staff ensure that each student's individual needs are met, resulting in outstanding achievement and excellent exam results. The school focuses on raising students' self-esteem, promoting lifelong learning, and preparing them for post-secondary options. Safety measures, effective safeguarding, and a wide range of therapies and activities contribute to the overall outstanding experience at Beaucroft Foundation School.

Yewstock School is an outstanding all-through school in Sturminster Newton, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a focus on speech, language, and communication skills, Yewstock provides exceptional education for students aged 2-19. The school's leadership team and teachers have been praised for their effective teaching, outstanding achievement of pupils, and strong safeguarding measures. While there may be some inconsistencies in the support for communication skills development, Yewstock School excels in overall effectiveness and offers a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Compass Point Primary School, located in Bedminster, Bristol, is a co-ed school offering education for children aged 3-11. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a dedication to inclusivity, the school provides a nurturing environment for its 170 students. The school's commitment to individualized support is demonstrated by its high percentage of students with SEN support, as well as its diverse student body with English not as their first language. With strong resources and a focus on safety, Compass Point Primary School ensures a well-rounded education for every child.

New Horizons Learning Centre is a progressive and nurturing school that prioritizes the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students. With a strong leadership team and a restorative approach to behavior management, the school provides a safe and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum is broad and aligned with independent careers advice, ensuring students are prepared for the future. Despite some areas for improvement such as attendance and writing skills, the school is dedicated to producing extraordinary success through cutting-edge instruction and fostering lifelong learners.

Oasis Academy New Oak is a primary school located in Bristol. With a dedicated team of teachers and a student teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for children aged 4-11. The school promotes personal development and has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, with outstanding results in areas such as behaviour and attitudes. The school also offers a safe and inclusive environment for all students, including those with special educational needs. With a focus on academic achievement and a strong emphasis on diversity, Oasis Academy New Oak prepares students for success in their future endeavors.

Pathfield School is an all-through co-educational school located in Barnstaple, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for students aged 3-19 with a range of special educational needs. The school has a Good overall effectiveness according to Ofsted, with Outstanding personal development, behaviour, and welfare. However, there have been some challenges in leadership and planned improvements. Despite this, the school's curriculum effectively caters to the needs of its students, ensuring their personal growth and well-being.

Southbrook School is a secondary school located in Exeter, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1 and a student population of 143, the school provides a supportive and personalized learning environment for students aged 11-16. The school has been rated Good by Ofsted and boasts outstanding safety measures and resources. Pupils' achievements are consistently good, thanks to the dedicated leadership team and effective teaching. However, there is room for improvement in providing support to middle leaders and enhancing writing skills in subjects other than English. Overall, Southbrook School offers a high-quality education, ensuring the well-being and progress of its students.

Claremont School is an all-through school located in Bristol. With a dedicated and passionate leadership team, the school provides a high-quality education for students aged 2-19. The school has a strong focus on meeting complex needs, with highly skilled staff ensuring effective education. Outstanding safeguarding measures are in place, providing parents with peace of mind. The school's previous inspection rated it as outstanding, with good overall effectiveness and achievement of pupils. Teachers plan motivating activities, leading to good progress, and the school has exceptional resources and safety measures.

Barley Lane School is a co-educational middle deemed secondary school located in St Thomas, Exeter. With a student-teacher ratio of 4:1, the school provides a positive and supportive learning environment for its 79 students aged 7-16. Led by Mr David Jones, the school maintains a good overall effectiveness and focuses on the social, emotional, and mental health of its students. The dedicated staff, high morale, and teamwork ensure a quality education. Although exam results show room for improvement, the leadership and teaching quality continue to progress.