The Importance of website accessibility for special needs schools

Private special needs schools often serve students with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, hearing, cognitive, and mobility impairments. An accessible website ensures that these students, along with their families and educators, can easily access important resources, apply for admissions, and stay informed about school activities. By improving their website accessibility, schools can make their online presence welcoming and functional for everyone.

Here are 25 notable special needs school for children with diverse abilities in the United Kingdom that offer various forms of assistance, educational and recreational support.

1. Sybil Elgar School

• Focus: An outstanding specialist school for autistic children and young people aged 4 to 22 years old.
• Established year: 1965
• URL: https://www.autism.org.uk/our-schools/sybil-elgar
• Course: https://www.autism.org.uk/our-schools/sybil-elgar/about-us/curriculum
• Fees: Annual fees (day pupils). £38,532. Annual fees (boarders). £73,401
• Address: Sybil Elgar School - Part of the NAS Education Group Havelock Road, Southall, Greater London, UB2 4NY

2. Cambian Potterspury Lodge School

• Focus: Cambian Potterspury Lodge School is an independent day school that supports and educates students with Autism and other associated challenges, offering pupils aged 8–18 a differentiated, engaging and challenging curriculum.
• Established year: 1956
• URL: https://www.cambiangroup.com/specialist-education/our-schools/autism-schools/potterspury-lodge-school/
• Course: https://www.cambiangroup.com/specialist-education/our-schools/autism-schools/potterspury-lodge-school/curriculum-school-environment/
• Fees: £67,779 to £87,484
• Address: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG, UK

3. Chailey Heritage School

• Focus: Chailey Heritage Foundation provides education and care services and is one of the UK’s leading centers for children and young people with complex Neurodisability. Most of the young people accessing our services have severe cerebral palsy, many have visual and/or other sensory impairments.
• Established year: 1903
• URL: https://www.chf.org.uk/
• Course: https://www.chf.org.uk/purposeful-learning.html
• Address: Haywards Heath Road, North Chailey, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4EF, UK

4. Castlefell School

• Focus: Castlefell School is an independent specialist day school providing high-quality education. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils with a range of complex learning needs, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties and co-existing ADHD, speech, language and communication difficulties and attachment disorders
• Established year: 2024
• URL: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/castlefell-school/
• Course: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/castlefell-school/our-school-offer/
• Fees: £98,827 to £130,751.
• Address: Silverhill, Rudgeway, Avon, Bristol BS35 3NS, UK

5. Ashbrooke School

• Focus: Ashbrooke School is an independent specialist day school providing high quality education for boys and girls. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils who have a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviors.
• Established year: 2017
• URL: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/ashbrooke-school/
• Course: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/ashbrooke-school/our-school-offer/
• Address: Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland SR2 7JA, UK

6. Hilden Park School

• Focus: Hilden Park School is an independent specialist day school providing high-quality education. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils who have a range of complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviors.
• Established year: 2024
• URL: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/hilden-park-school/
• Course: https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our-locations/our-schools/hilden-park-school/our-school-offer/
• Address: Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 8ND, United Kingdom

7. Hurworth House School

• Focus: Hurworth House School provides specialist education for boys and girls with SEMH difficulties and autism.
• Established year: 1946
• URL: https://www.aspriscs.co.uk/find-a-location/hurworth-house-school-darlington/
• Course: https://aspriscs.co.uk/find-a-location/hurworth-house-school-darlington/education-services/curriculum-information/
• Fees: £55,800 £79,763
• Address: Westfield Drive, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, County Durham DL2 2AD, UK

8. Mill School Bury

• Focus: The school provides a bespoke and tailored environment for autistic children and those with additional, associated needs.
• Established year: 2020
• URL: https://www.kedlestongroup.com/our-locations/schools/mill-school-bury/home
• Course: https://www.kedlestongroup.com/our-locations/schools/mill-school-bury/our-story/curriculum
• Fees: £47,000 to £52,000
• Address: Wellington St, Bury BL8 2BD, UK

9. Silverways School

• Focus: Silverways School in Enfield provides specialist support for children with autism and associated needs in a carefully designed environment.
• Established year: 2021
• URL: https://www.kedlestongroup.com/our-locations/schools/silverways-school/home
• Course: https://www.kedlestongroup.com/our-locations/schools/silverways-school/our-story/curriculum
• Fees: £58,626
• Address: St. Andrews Parish Centre, Silver St, Enfield EN1 3EG, UK

10. Fairley House

• Focus: Fairley House is London’s leading day school for children with specific learning differences. They specialize in the education of children who have difficulty with reading (dyslexia), movement and coordination (dyspraxia), numbers (dyscalculia), and writing (dysgraphia).
• Established year: 1982
• URL: https://fairleyhouse.org.uk/
• Course: https://fairleyhouse.org.uk/curriculum
• Fees: £12,910
• Address: 30 Causton Street London SW1P 4AU, UK

11. Aurora Summerfields School

• Focus: A school supporting young people aged 5 to 19 who have complex communication and social needs typically associated with Autism Spectrum Conditions.
• Established year: 2023
• URL: https://www.theauroragroup.co.uk/services/schools/summerfields-school
• Course: https://www.theauroragroup.co.uk/services/schools/summerfields-school/about/curriculum
• Fees: £67,984
• Address: Summerfields Village Centre, Dean Row Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2TA, UK

12. Abingdon House School

• Focus: Spanning three campuses, they welcome neurodiverse students aged 7 to 19 seeking specialized support for autism, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD), and dyscalculia, ADHD, speech-language and communication needs, and other associated needs.
• Established year: 2023
• URL: https://www.abingdonhouseschool.co.uk/
• Course: https://www.abingdonhouseschool.co.uk/?s=curriculum
• Fees: £48,711
• Address: Broadley Terrace, London NW1 6LG, UK

13. Hillingdon Manor School

• Focus: Hillingdon Manor School is an independent, specialist school providing education and support to autistic children aged 3-19 and their families, which allows pupils to achieve their full potential in education and life.
• Established year: 1999
• URL: https://www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk/
• Course: https://www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2023/01/Curriculum-Policy-23.pdf
• Fees: £47,300 – £75,924
• Address: The Manor, Harlington Rd, Uxbridge UB8 3HD, UK

14. Blossom House School

• Focus: they are an outstanding specialist independent day school in London for children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
• Established year: 1989
• URL: https://www.blossomhouseschool.co.uk/
• Course: https://www.blossomhouseschool.co.uk/curriculum/adapted-curriculum
• Fees: £50,550 to £74,250
• Address: Station Rd, London, New Malden KT3 6JJ, UK

15. David Lewis School

• Focus: providing leading education and care for young people from 11-19 years with learning difficulties, disabilities and complex needs, including moderate to profound learning disabilities, neurological conditions, including epilepsy, autism and associated communication and sensory impairments, behavioral and health needs.
• Established year: 2022
• URL: https://www.davidlewis.org.uk/school-and-college/david-lewis-school/
• Course: https://www.davidlewis.org.uk/school-and-college/david-lewis-school/curriculum/
• Address: Mill Ln, Warford Cres, Alderley Edge SK9 7UD, UK

16. The Rise School

• Focus: The rise school is a special school for children who suffer with autism spectrum disorder.
• Established year: 2014
• URL: https://theriseschool.com
• Course: https://theriseschool.com/secondary-school/curriculum
• Address: Browells Ln, Feltham TW13 7EF, UK

17. Bright Future Care

• Focus: They are committed to delivering a broad and holistic curriculum that caters to students with a variety of needs, including autism, communication and sensory needs, and specific learning difficulties.
• Established year: 2012
• URL: https://brightfuturescare.co.uk/bright-education/
• Course: https://brightfuturescare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Bright-Futures-School-and-College-Curriculum-Policy-FINAL.pdf
• Address: Asher House, Barsbank Ln, Lymm WA13 0ED, UK

18. LVS Oxford

• Focus: LVS oxford is independent school for young people aged 11-19 with diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, usually high functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
• Established year: 2014
• URL: https://www.lvs-oxford.org.uk/
• Course: https://www.lvs-oxford.org.uk/about-lvs-oxford/curriculum/
• Fees: £9,965 to £10,579
• Address: Spring Hill Rd, Begbroke OX5 1RX, UK

19. The Holmewood School

• Focus: The Holmewood School is an independent day school for neurodivergent children and young people aged from 7 to 19 who have a primary diagnosis of Autism.
• Established year: 1885
• URL: https://www.thsl.org.uk/
• Course: lower school, Upper school, 6th form
• Fees: £61,800
• Address: 88 Woodside Park Road, London N12 8SH and 90 East End Road, London N3 2SY, UK

20. Burlington House School

• Focus: Burlington House School provides specialist education, passionate support for boys and girls aged 7 – 19, who have learning differences like dyslexia and dyscalculia.
• Established year: 1998
• URL: https://www.burlingtonhouseschool.com/
• Course: Prep, Senior, sixth form
• Fees: Prep years 3-6 = £32,892, prep year 7 = £42,387, senior years 8-11 = £42,387, sixth form years 12-14 = £44,610
• Address: Bishop's Ave, London SW6 6EG, UK

21. Rutherford School

• Focus: Rutherford School and Life Skills Centre is a specialist independent mixed day provision for pupils and students between the ages of 3 – 25 years with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
• Established year: 1971
• URL: https://rutherfordschool.org.uk/
• Course: https://rutherfordschool.org.uk/school-life/our-curriculum/
• Address: 1A Melville Ave, South Croydon CR2 7HZ, South England, UK

22. Pield Heath House School

• Focus: They offer day and residential provision to students with a diverse range of needs including moderate to severe and complex learning needs, sensory processing difficulties and associated speech, language and communication difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorders.
• Established year: 1901
• URL: https://www.pieldheathschool.org.uk/
• Course: https://www.pieldheathschool.org.uk/page/?title=Curriculum&pid=85
• Address: Pield Heath Rd, Uxbridge UB8 3NW, UK

23. The Cavandish School

• Focus: The Cavandish school is a special needs school for children suffering with autism spectrum disorder.
• Established year: 1875
• URL: https://thecavendishschool.org.uk/
• Course: https://thecavendishschool.org.uk/curriculum/
• Address: The Cavendish School, Park Drive, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9LY, UK

24. Kestrel House School

• Focus: They are a small and friendly independent special school for learners aged 5-16 years who have Autism, additional learning difficulties and complex needs.
• Established year: 2008
• URL: https://www.kestrelhouseschool.co.uk/
• Course: https://www.kestrelhouseschool.co.uk/our-approach/curriculum/
• Fees: £48,000
• Address: 104 Crouch Hill, Crouch End, London, N8 9EA, UK

25. Kisharon School

• Focus: They are a small and friendly independent special school for learners aged 5-16 years who have Autism, additional learning difficulties and complex needs.
• Established year: 1976
• URL: https://www.kisharonschool.org.uk/
• Course: https://www.kisharonschool.org.uk/teaching-and-learning/curriculum-and-assessment/
• Address: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP, UK

Why All in One Accessibility is an ideal fit for special needs schools in UK?

Special needs schools cater to a wide range of disabilities, making it critical to offer diverse accessibility options. All in One Accessibility is an ideal solution because it is a single tool with multiple features tailored to meet the needs of all users. From visual impairments to motor disabilities, this tool enables schools to improve inclusivity and usability across their websites.

By integrating All in One Accessibility into school websites, they can provide an inclusive online environment for students, parents, and educators. Schools can not only enhance UK Equality Act 2010, WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 accessibility but can also serve their resources in 140+ language support, improve user experiences, reflecting their commitment to serving students with diverse needs.

With features like screen readers, keyboard navigation, color contrast adjustments, and text resizing, All in One Accessibility allows users to easily navigate the website. By implementing this solution, schools can create a more accessible digital environment, enhancing the user experience. If you represent a special needs school, kickstart the journey towards improving website accessibility with All in One Accessibility today. Reach out [email protected] for more information.