Find Bristol specialist schools and mainstream schools that offer specialist provision, understand the areas of need they support, and the types of therapies and qualifications they offer.
Children and young people need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to get a place at a specialist school or specialist base in a mainstream school.
Parents, carers and young people can ask for a particular specialist school or base. We'll consider your choice and decide which setting should be named in the EHCP.
Our specialist provision finder provides information about specialist schools and specialist bases for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Bristol.
How to use the finder
You can use the filters on the finder to explore different types of schools and compare the support they provide.
We work with schools and bases to keep this information up to date, however, details can change. The support, therapies, facilities, qualifications and awards available may vary over time.
We recommend contacting schools and bases directly to check that the information shown is still correct and to discuss your child or young person's individual needs.
Being included in this finder does not mean that a place is available or that the setting will be able to meet every child's needs.
Understanding the terms used in the finder
The information in the accordions below explains the terms used in the finder.
Select the term or the plus button to read each definition.
Type of provision
A school for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Specialist schools provide specialist teaching, support and facilities to help meet a range of needs.
A specialist school that is run independently rather than by a local authority. It provides specialist teaching, support and facilities for children and young people with SEND. In some cases, an independent specialist school may be named in a child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
A specialist provision within a mainstream school. Pupils receive specialist support and may spend time in both the resource base and mainstream classes, depending on their individual needs.
Areas of need
A neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person experiences and interacts with the world.
A hearing difference or hearing loss that may affect communication, learning and access to information.
Learning difficulties that can make it harder to acquire new skills and knowledge than most children and young people of the same age.
A combination of hearing and vision impairments that affects access to information and communication.
A physical impairment that may affect mobility, physical access or participation.
Complex learning difficulties combined with physical, sensory and/or medical needs requiring extensive support.
More significant learning difficulties that require higher levels of support across learning and daily life.
Needs relating to emotional wellbeing, relationships, behaviour and mental health which may affect learning and participation.
Difficulties with understanding language, expressing thoughts and ideas, or communicating with others.
A vision difference or vision impairment that may affect learning and access to information.
Therapies
Communication support using methods such as symbols, communication boards or electronic devices.
Uses creative activities to support emotional wellbeing, communication and self-expression.
Support using British Sign Language (BSL) to aid communication.
Assessment and therapeutic support provided by a qualified clinical psychologist.
Provides support for emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Therapy delivered in a warm-water pool to support movement and physical development.
Uses music and musical activities to support communication, interaction and emotional wellbeing.
Supports skills for daily life, independence, sensory regulation and participation in learning.
Supports movement, mobility, posture and physical development.
Uses play and creative activities to help children express thoughts and feelings.
A talking therapy that supports emotional wellbeing and mental health.
A therapeutic approach using a trampoline to support movement, balance and coordination.
Supports children and young people who experience difficulties processing sensory information.
Supports children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Qualifications and awards
A scheme that recognises achievement in completing small units of learning.
A qualification that supports creativity and participation in arts and cultural activities.
Courses and qualifications that support personal development, independence and employability skills.
Vocational qualifications that combine practical learning with subject-specific knowledge.
Qualifications that recognise achievement in learning British Sign Language (BSL).
A programme that supports personal development through volunteering, physical activity and skills development.
Qualifications that recognise achievement and progress in a range of subjects.
Practical qualifications in English, mathematics and digital skills that support everyday life, further education and employment.
National qualifications typically studied by young people aged 14 to 16.
An environmental award that encourages learning through involvement with nature and conservation.
Vocational and skills-based qualifications that support progression into education, training and employment.
