Special schools and specialist resources bases

If you wish your child to be considered for a place at a local maintained special school or specialist resource base this should normally be discussed at the annual review of their education, health and care plan (EHCP).

A visit to the school could be arranged directly with the school.  All pupils who attend a special school or resource base are legally required to have an education, health and care plan or be undergoing a statutory assessment.

You cannot apply for a special school online.

If you have any questions about special school placements please discuss them with:

• the SENCO in your child's current placement
• the Early Years SEN team for your area
• the SEN Casework Team for your area
• SENDIASS SEN and Disability Information Advice and Support Service.

Community special schools

(Full contact details can be found using the schools list)

Bardwell School, Bicester

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to nineteen
Catchment area: Bicester, Kidlington and surrounding villages
Bardwell School website.

Bishopswood School, Sonning Common

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to sixteen
Catchment area: South Oxfordshire from Wallingford to Goring, Sonning Common, Henley-on-Thames and Watlington
Bishopswood School website

Frank Wise School, Banbury

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to nineteen
Catchment area: Banbury, Chipping Norton and surrounding villages
Frank Wise School website

John Watson School, Wheatley

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to nineteen
Catchment area: Thame, Wheatley, Watlington, Chinnor, Benson, Ewelme and surrounding villages, Risinghurst and part of Oxford City (Barton)
John Watson School website

Mabel Prichard School, Oxford

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to nineteen
Catchment area: Oxford City
Mabel Prichard School  

Orion Academy

Caters for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties aged eleven to eighteen
Catchment area: Oxfordshire
Orion Academy

Oxfordshire Hospital School

Community Special School caters for children of school age who are unable to attend school for medical or mental health reasons.
Oxfordshire Hospital School website

Springfield School, Witney

Community Special School caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to sixteen
Catchment area: West Oxfordshire
Springfield School website

Woodeaton Manor, Woodeaton

Foundation Special School caters for children with emotional and social difficulties aged seven to eighteen
Catchment area: Oxfordshire
Woodeaton Manor School website

Academy Special Schools

Endeavour Academy, Oxford

A special school and residential setting for children and young people with autism and severe learning difficulties aged 9 – 19
Catchment area: Oxfordshire
Endeavour Special School website

Fitzwaryn School (part of the Propeller Academy Trust), Wantage

Caters for children with complex moderate learning difficulties, severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, aged three to nineteen
Catchment area: Wantage, Faringdon and surrounding villages
Fitzwaryn School website

The Iffley Academy, Oxford

Caters for children with complex moderate learning difficulties and with emotional and behavioural difficulties, aged five to eighteen
Catchment area: Oxfordshire
The Iffley Academy website

Kingfisher School (part of the Propeller Academy Trust), Abingdon

Caters for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties aged two to nineteen
Catchment area: Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and surrounding villages as well as Cumnor
Kingfisher School website

Northern House Academy, Oxford

Caters for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties aged five to eleven
Catchment area: Oxfordshire
Northern House Academy website

Specialist resource bases

Oxfordshire maintains a number of specialist resource bases. These provide for children with a specific need, for example, hearing impairment or autism, based on mainstream school sites. For information about any of the specialist resource bases please contact SEN Support Services