Choosing the right school for your autistic child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Whether you’re exploring private specialist settings or council-funded state schools, this comprehensive guide covers the top 20 autism schools across the UK, helping you find the perfect educational environment for your child’s unique needs. Before exploring schools, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of your child’s unique autism characteristics and support needs
Private Autism Schools: Typically cost £40,000-£75,000 annually, offer specialized therapeutic support, smaller class sizes (1:3 ratio), and accept local authority EHCP funding.
Council-Funded Schools: Free to attend with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), provide autism-specific education, and are maintained by local authorities.
Key Takeaway: Both private and state-funded options offer excellent autism education. Your choice depends on your child’s specific needs, local provision, and EHCP assessment outcomes.
Quick Action Steps:
If you haven’t yet received a diagnosis, start with our free autism screening tools to understand if a specialist assessment would be beneficial
Private autism schools typically offer highly specialized provision with extensive therapeutic support, smaller class sizes, and significant parental choice. Most placements are funded by local authorities through EHCP agreements, though some families choose to fund independently.
Location: Southall, Greater London
Ages: 4-22 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Annual Fees: £38,532 (day), £73,401 (boarding)
Established: 1965
Part of the National Autistic Society Education Group, Sybil Elgar School has over 60 years of experience supporting autistic learners. The school offers both day and residential placements, making it one of the most flexible options for families across the UK.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: The school delivers personalized education pathways incorporating academic subjects, life skills, and vocational training. Students access speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support as part of their daily provision.
In addition to school-based therapy, many families benefit from sensory tools and therapeutic products at home.
Admission Process: Contact the school directly, provide diagnostic reports and educational assessments, arrange assessment visits, and coordinate with your local authority’s SEND team for EHCP funding approval.
Contact: Havelock Road, Southall, UB2 4NY | autism.org.uk/our-schools/sybil-elgar
Location: Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
Ages: 8-18 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Annual Fees: £67,779-£87,484
Established: 1956
One of the UK’s longest-established autism schools, Potterspury Lodge specializes in supporting students with autism and associated learning differences through a highly differentiated curriculum.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: The school offers accredited qualifications including GCSEs, Functional Skills, and Entry Level Certificates, alongside therapeutic interventions integrated throughout the school day.
Admission Process: Initial inquiry, school visit and assessment, review of educational and medical records, consultation with current placement, and local authority funding arrangements.
Contact: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 1AG | cambiangroup.com/potterspury-lodge-school
Location: Woodside Park & Finchley, London
Ages: 7-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Annual Fees: £61,800
Established: 1885 (reestablished for autism provision)
With over a century of educational heritage, Holmewood combines traditional values with cutting-edge autism-specific teaching methodologies across two London campuses.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Lower school, upper school, and sixth form divisions ensure age-appropriate learning. The curriculum balances academic achievement with social skills development and independence training.
Admission Process: Submit initial inquiry, provide diagnostic and educational documentation, arrange assessment visits, meet with admissions team, and coordinate EHCP funding with local authorities.
Contact: 88 Woodside Park Road, N12 8SH & 90 East End Road, N3 2SY | thsl.org.uk
Location: Begbroke, Oxfordshire
Ages: 11-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Annual Fees: £9,965-£10,579
Established: 2014
LVS Oxford stands out as one of the most affordable private autism schools in the UK, specializing in high-functioning autism and Asperger profiles with strong academic potential.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: The school delivers GCSE and A-Level qualifications with additional support for social understanding, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
Admission Process: Initial inquiry, school tours, formal application, needs assessment, funding discussions with local authorities, and comprehensive transition planning.
Contact: Spring Hill Road, Begbroke, OX5 1RX | lvs-oxford.org.uk
Location: Uxbridge, Greater London
Ages: 3-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Annual Fees: £47,300-£75,924
Established: 1999
Hillingdon Manor provides comprehensive autism education from early years through to sixth form, with a strong emphasis on developing independence and life skills.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Age-appropriate curriculum incorporating sensory integration, communication development, academic learning, and functional life skills training.
Admission Process: Initial inquiry, school visit and assessment, review of diagnostic reports, multi-disciplinary assessment, and local authority placement funding collaboration.
Contact: The Manor, Harlington Road, Uxbridge, UB8 3HD | hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk
Location: Bury, Greater Manchester
Ages: 5-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Annual Fees: £47,000-£52,000
Established: 2020
Despite being relatively new, Mill School Bury has quickly established itself as a leading autism provision in the North West, offering tailored education for autistic children with additional needs.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Bespoke curriculum addressing academic, social, and sensory needs with integrated therapy throughout the school day.
Admission Process: Contact school for information, arrange facility visits, submit diagnostic and educational reports, participate in assessment activities, and work with local authorities for placement funding.
Contact: Wellington Street, Bury, BL8 2BD | kedlestongroup.com/mill-school-bury
Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire
Ages: 5-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Annual Fees: £67,984
Established: 2023
One of the newest entries in UK autism education, Aurora Summerfields brings innovative approaches to supporting young people with complex communication and social needs.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum integrating academic learning with therapeutic support, focusing on communication development and social understanding.
Admission Process: Request information package, arrange school visit, submit developmental and educational assessments, meet with admissions team, and coordinate local authority funding.
Contact: Summerfields Village Centre, Dean Row Road, Wilmslow, SK9 2TA | theauroragroup.co.uk/summerfields-school
Location: Enfield, Greater London
Ages: 5-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Requires Improvement (new school, developing)
Annual Fees: £58,626
Established: 2021
A newer addition to London’s autism school provision, Silverways offers carefully designed environments accommodating sensory and learning requirements.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Autism-specific curriculum combining academic learning with social skills development and sensory regulation strategies.
Admission Process: Initial consultation with parents, review of educational and diagnostic reports, school visits and assessment, local authority collaboration, and transition planning.
Contact: St. Andrews Parish Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3EG | kedlestongroup.com/silverways-school
Location: Feltham, Greater London
Ages: 4-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Annual Fees: £45,000-£55,000 (approximate)
Established: 2014
The Rise School delivers mainstream curriculum adapted for autistic learners, with particular attention to communication skills and emotional regulation.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: National Curriculum subjects adapted to meet autism-specific learning styles, with extensive speech and language therapy integration.
Admission Process: Contact admissions department, provide diagnostic and educational documentation, arrange school visits and assessment, work with local authority SEND teams, and develop transition plans.
Contact: Browells Lane, Feltham, TW13 7EF | theriseschool.com
Location: Crouch End, London
Ages: 5-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Annual Fees: £48,000
Established: 2008
This small, friendly independent school provides supportive learning environments for autistic children with additional learning difficulties and complex needs.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Personalized learning programs addressing specific needs while promoting independence, communication skills, and social development.
Admission Process: Initial contact, school visits, review of reports and assessments, student assessment sessions, and local authority funding collaboration.
Contact: 104 Crouch Hill, Crouch End, N8 9EA | kestrelhouseschool.co.uk
State-maintained autism schools provide free education through EHCP funding, offering specialist provision without private fees. These schools are maintained by local authorities and must meet Ofsted standards.
Location: Muswell Hill, London
Ages: 4-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Funding: Free with EHCP (local authority maintained)
Established: 1997
TreeHouse School is one of the UK’s leading state-funded autism schools, consistently achieving Outstanding Ofsted ratings and delivering exceptional outcomes for autistic children.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Evidence-based ABA approaches combined with National Curriculum content, extensive speech and language therapy, and individualized behavior support plans.
Admission Process: Requires EHCP naming TreeHouse School, consultation with local authority, school assessment visit, and transition planning with current setting.
Contact: Woodside Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10 3JA | treehouse.org.uk/school
Location: Islington, London
Ages: 4-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2014
A community special school maintained by Islington Council, The Bridge School provides outstanding autism provision with strong community links.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Adapted National Curriculum with extensive therapeutic support, sensory integration, and life skills development.
Admission Process: EHCP assessment through local authority, consultation process, school visits, and coordinated transition planning.
Contact: Hungerford Road, London, N7 9LP
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Ages: 2-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 1975
One of the UK’s longest-established state-funded autism schools, Woodlands offers comprehensive provision from early years through post-16.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Age-appropriate curriculum with strong emphasis on communication, independence, and preparation for adulthood.
Admission Process: EHCP required naming Woodlands, Birmingham City Council consultation, assessment process, and transition support.
Contact: Grange Road, Longbridge, Birmingham, B31 2QT
Location: Fareham, Hampshire
Ages: 4-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2003
Westgate School provides specialist autism education for Hampshire families, with outstanding Ofsted recognition and strong local authority support.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Structured teaching approaches with comprehensive therapeutic support and individualized learning pathways.
Admission Process: Hampshire County Council EHCP process, school consultation, assessment visits, and coordinated admission.
Contact: West Street, Fareham, PO16 0EN
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Ages: 3-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 1978
Castle Hill provides comprehensive autism education for Kent families, with early years provision through to post-16 education.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Flexible curriculum pathways incorporating academic learning, life skills, and vocational preparation with integrated therapy.
Admission Process: Kent County Council EHCP naming Castle Hill, consultation process, assessment visits, and transition planning.
Contact: Maidstone Road, Tonbridge, TN9 2JP
Location: Buckingham, Buckinghamshire
Ages: 11-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2015
Unity College specializes in secondary-age autistic students, offering academic and vocational pathways toward meaningful adult outcomes.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: GCSE and vocational qualifications with autism-specific support, focusing on independence and employability skills.
Admission Process: Buckinghamshire Council EHCP process, school consultation, assessment, and admission coordination.
Contact: Chandos Road, Buckingham, MK18 1AX
Location: Woking, Surrey
Ages: 5-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2012
The Link School provides specialist autism provision for Surrey families with strong emphasis on communication and social development.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Communication-focused curriculum with extensive speech and language therapy, sensory integration, and social skills development.
Admission Process: Surrey County Council EHCP naming The Link School, consultation, assessment visits, and transition support.
Contact: Monument Road, Woking, GU21 5LY
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Ages: 4-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2010
Phoenix School serves the Manchester area with outstanding autism provision and strong links to local communities.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Adapted National Curriculum with integrated therapeutic support, focusing on communication, independence, and social understanding.
Admission Process: Manchester City Council EHCP process, consultation, school assessment, and coordinated admission.
Contact: Broadhurst Avenue, Manchester, M14 6WE
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Ages: 3-19 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2005
Riverside School provides comprehensive autism education for Liverpool families from early years through post-16 provision.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Age-appropriate curriculum with strong emphasis on life skills, vocational preparation, and independence.
Admission Process: Liverpool City Council EHCP naming Riverside, consultation process, assessment, and transition planning.
Contact: Riverside Drive, Liverpool, L19 3QN
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Ages: 4-16 years
Ofsted Rating: Good
Funding: Free with EHCP
Established: 2008
Appletree School serves Leeds families with specialist autism provision and strong emphasis on preparing students for adult life.
What Makes It Special:
Curriculum Highlights: Functional curriculum incorporating academic learning, life skills, and vocational preparation with therapeutic support.
Admission Process: Leeds City Council EHCP process, school consultation, assessment visits, and coordinated admission.
Contact: Appletree Lane, Leeds, LS15 4HP
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An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is essential for accessing specialist autism schools in the UK. Here’s how to navigate the process successfully.
Understanding the autism assessment and diagnosis process is crucial before beginning EHCP applications.
Contact your local authority’s SEND team in writing, requesting an EHCP assessment for your child. Include:
The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to proceed with assessment.
If approved, the local authority gathers evidence from:
This process should take up to 16 weeks.
The local authority issues a draft EHCP outlining:
You have 15 days to comment and request changes.
After considering your views, the local authority issues the final EHCP. The entire process from request to final plan should take no more than 20 weeks.
Your EHCP must name a specific school. You have the right to:
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, you have the right to:
For detailed guidance on the EHCP process, visit our comprehensive EHCP guide (internal link to be added if page exists).
Different schools excel in different areas. Consider:
Communication Needs:
Sensory Profile:
Learning Profile:
Behavioral Support:
Never commit to a school without visiting. During visits:
Check recent Ofsted reports for:
Access reports at reports.ofsted.gov.uk
Location and Transport:
School Hours:
Term Dates:
Academic Provision:
Therapeutic Support:
Transition Support:
Staff Expertise:
London has the highest concentration of autism schools, with both private and council-funded options across all boroughs:
South East counties (Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, Berkshire) offer good provision:
West Midlands has strong provision centered around Birmingham:
East Midlands has developing provision but fewer specialist options:
Greater Manchester and Merseyside have expanding provision:
Cheshire offers:
Provision in the North East is developing, with increasing specialist schools in:
Many families access schools in Yorkshire for broader choice.
Yorkshire has good coverage across Leeds, Sheffield, and York:
The South West has scattered provision across:
Rural families may face longer travel times or consider boarding options.
Scotland operates a different system with Regional Improvement Collaboratives. Key provisions include:
Wales has developing autism school provision in:
Some families access schools in English border areas.
Northern Ireland provisions include:
Autism schools provide specialist environments designed specifically for autistic children. Key differences include smaller class sizes (4-8 students vs 30 in mainstream), higher staff ratios (1:3 vs 1:30), autism-specific teaching approaches, integrated therapeutic support, sensory-friendly environments, and staff with specialist autism training. Mainstream schools follow standard National Curriculum with limited adaptations.
Yes, both private and council-funded autism schools require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The EHCP must name the specific school in Section I. Without an EHCP, local authorities will not fund placement at specialist schools. Start the EHCP process 12-18 months before your desired enrollment date.
Private autism school fees range from approximately £38,000 to £87,000 annually for day placements. Boarding options cost significantly more, sometimes exceeding £100,000 per year. However, most placements are funded by local authorities through EHCP agreements, so families rarely pay fees directly. Only a small percentage of families choose to self-fund private education.
Local authorities can refuse private school funding if they can demonstrate suitable provision exists in maintained schools. However, if no appropriate local provision meets your child’s needs, they must fund an independent school. You have the right to appeal refusals through the SEND Tribunal. Gather evidence showing why local options are unsuitable for your child’s specific needs.
Autism schools accept children from various ages. Early years provision starts from age 2-3 at some schools (TreeHouse, Woodlands, Hillingdon Manor). Primary provision begins at age 4-5 at most schools. Secondary-focused schools accept from age 11. Some schools provide education up to age 19 or 25 for post-16 students. Check individual school age ranges when researching options.
Yes, many council-funded autism schools achieve Outstanding Ofsted ratings and deliver exceptional education. TreeHouse School, The Bridge School, Woodlands School, and Phoenix School all have Outstanding ratings. The main differences are funding structure and sometimes class sizes, but educational quality can be equally high in maintained schools. Ofsted ratings provide objective quality measures.
The legal timeframe for EHCP assessment and plan completion is 20 weeks from the initial request. However, many local authorities exceed this timeframe. In reality, the process often takes 6-12 months. Start early and keep detailed records of all communications. If your local authority misses deadlines, you can complain or seek legal advice.
Yes, absolutely. Visiting schools is essential before making decisions. Contact schools directly to arrange visits. Most schools welcome parent visits and offer tours, observation opportunities, and meetings with leadership teams. Visit multiple schools to compare environments, approaches, and cultures. Some schools have open days specifically for prospective families.
Autism schools offer various qualifications depending on student ability levels. Academic pathways include GCSEs, A-Levels, and BTECs. Functional skills qualifications cover English, Maths, and ICT at Entry Level, Level 1, and Level 2. Vocational qualifications include industry-specific certifications. Life skills awards recognize achievements in independence, communication, and social skills. Schools tailor qualification pathways to individual student profiles.
Yes, specialist autism schools integrate therapy throughout the school day. Most schools provide speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and educational psychology support. Some also offer music therapy, art therapy, and sensory integration therapy. Therapy is written into EHCPs and delivered by qualified, registered professionals. Private schools often have therapists on-site full-time, while council-funded schools provide therapy as specified in individual EHCPs.
Permanent exclusion from specialist autism schools is extremely rare, as these settings are designed to support complex needs. If behavioral difficulties arise, schools typically increase support through modified approaches, additional staff, or behavior intervention plans. If a placement breaks down, the local authority remains responsible for finding alternative suitable provision. Your EHCP continues in force and must be met elsewhere.
Yes, children can attend schools outside their home local authority area. If your local authority cannot provide suitable provision locally, they must consider out-of-area placements. You can name any school in your EHCP, and if it’s appropriate for your child’s needs, the local authority must fund it. Cross-border placements are common, especially for specialist provisions.
Autism schools provide extensive communication support for non-verbal students, including Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), communication books and boards, speech-generating devices and apps, Makaton signing, intensive speech and language therapy, and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems. Many schools specialize in supporting non-verbal learners with dedicated communication teams.
Most popular autism schools have waiting lists, sometimes spanning 12-24 months. Council-funded schools often prioritize local residents. Private schools accept students from wider areas but still have capacity limits. Starting the EHCP process early and applying to multiple schools increases your chances. Some local authorities maintain lists of schools with immediate availability.
Autism schools maintain much higher staffing levels than mainstream schools. Typical ratios are 1:3 (one adult for every three students), 1:2 for students with higher needs, and 1:1 support for individual students when specified in EHCPs. Some schools achieve ratios as high as 2:1 for students with complex needs. These ratios ensure individualized attention and safety.
Autism schools use positive behavior support frameworks focusing on prevention rather than reaction. Strategies include environmental modifications to reduce triggers, sensory regulation spaces and tools, proactive sensory breaks, visual schedules and predictability, de-escalation techniques, and trauma-informed approaches. Staff receive specialist training in supporting autistic children through distress, never using punitive approaches.
Mainstream siblings cannot attend specialist autism schools as these settings are exclusively for children with diagnosed autism and EHCPs. However, if multiple siblings have autism diagnoses and EHCPs, they can potentially attend the same autism school if it meets each child’s individual needs. Some families prefer different schools for different children based on specific needs.
Many autism schools offer post-16 provision up to age 19 or even 25. Post-16 education focuses on functional skills, vocational training, work experience placements, independent living skills, community integration, and transition to adult services. Some students progress to mainstream colleges with support, specialist colleges, supported internships, or day services. Transition planning begins at age 14.
Yes, all autism schools in England are inspected by Ofsted under the same framework as other schools. Independent schools are inspected every 3-4 years, while maintained schools are inspected based on their previous rating. Ofsted assesses quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and safeguarding. Reports are publicly available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.
If your local authority names a different school in your EHCP or refuses to assess, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Register your appeal within 2 months of the decision. Gather evidence showing why your preferred school is appropriate and local options are unsuitable. Consider obtaining independent reports. Many families win appeals, especially with strong evidence. Organizations like IPSEA provide free legal advice for SEND appeals.
Autism often presents differently in girls, who may be overlooked in diagnosis—learn more about the signs of autism in girls.
Ofsted inspects all UK schools and assigns overall effectiveness ratings:
Outstanding: Exceptional quality with consistently high standards across all areas. These schools demonstrate innovative practice and outstanding leadership.
Good: Schools perform well, providing quality education with strong outcomes for most students. These schools meet all national standards effectively.
Requires Improvement: Schools have some weaknesses needing addressing but are not failing. They provide adequate education but lack consistency.
Inadequate: Serious weaknesses exist. Schools may be judged Inadequate overall or placed in Special Measures requiring significant improvement.
When reviewing Ofsted reports, focus on:
Starting early is crucial, especially for popular schools or if you anticipate local authority resistance to your preferences.
Most autism school placements are funded through EHCP agreements. Local authorities must fund appropriate provision regardless of cost. Annual costs range from £40,000 to over £100,000, all covered by the authority.
What Local Authorities Fund:
What May Not Be Funded:
Some families choose to self-fund autism school places, though this is uncommon given high costs. Self-funding may be considered if:
Self-funding costs annually:
Most families pursue EHCP routes rather than self-funding.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA): Available for children under 16 with additional care needs. Does not affect school funding but helps with extra costs.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): For young people 16+, replacing DLA. Helps with costs related to disability.
Carers Allowance: Available for parents providing substantial care. Check eligibility through Citizens Advice.
Local Authority Short Breaks: Some authorities provide funding for respite care or activities.
Charitable Grants: Organizations like Family Fund, Cerebra, and others provide grants for equipment, respite, and activities.
Choosing an autism school represents one of the most significant decisions in your child’s educational journey. Whether you opt for a private specialist setting or a council-funded school, the UK offers numerous excellent options for autistic children.
Key Takeaways:
The autism schools featured in this guide represent some of the UK’s finest provisions, each offering unique approaches to supporting autistic learners. From long-established institutions like Sybil Elgar School with over 60 years of experience to innovative newer settings like Aurora Summerfields, you have excellent options available.
Remember that the “best” school is the one that best meets your individual child’s needs. An Outstanding Ofsted rating matters less than whether the environment, approach, and culture suit your child’s learning style, communication needs, and sensory profile.
If you need personalized guidance choosing autism schools or navigating the EHCP process, consider:
Your child deserves an education that celebrates their strengths, supports their challenges, and prepares them for a fulfilling future. With careful research, early planning, and determination, you can secure the perfect autism school placement.
Last Updated: November 2025
Next Review: March 2026
This guide is regularly updated with current information on fees, Ofsted ratings, and provision. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
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