In Bristol, there are various special education options to help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These options are designed for students with different needs, including learning challenges, autism, and social, emotional, and mental health issues. It can be a bit overwhelming to understand the differences between them. This guide will help you learn about the types of special education available. You can see what these options are in Bristol. Below is a brief overview of the main types of special education options in Bristol, but it’s a good idea to reach out to the schools you’re interested in and discuss things with your caseworker if you have an EHCP or with the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). It is also worth considering that many of these specialist provisions will require a ECHP (Education and Health Care Plan)
1. Specialist Schools
Specialist schools in Bristol are designed for children and young people who have specific educational needs and disabilities. These schools offer personalised support, typically with smaller class sizes and specially trained teachers. However, in practice your child may not be able to take the same GCSE or classes as their peers. You can find more specialist schools here, but some of the specialist schools in Bristol include:
Kingsweston School: This specialist-needs school serves students with various learning difficulties, including those with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex needs, it has three campuses, the largest in Lawrence Weston.
Elmfield School for Deaf Children: This specialist school in Bristol, UK, is dedicated to helping children who are deaf or have hearing impairments, along with those who have additional complex needs. They provide a personalised curriculum designed to cater to the unique requirements of each student, including those with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)
Knowle DGE: This school caters for a wide range of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH), Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN) and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) from Key Stage 1-5.
2. Resource Bases
Some mainstream schools in Bristol have special areas called resource bases that help students with specific needs while they continue to learn in the main classroom. However, in practice, your child may not be able to take the same GCSE or classes as their peers. These bases focus on different kinds of challenges, like speech and language issues or autism. Here are some examples:
Fairfield School Resource Base: This base helps students who have trouble with communication and language, especially those with speech and language difficulties.
Ashton Park School Resource Base: This school has a resource base for speech, language and communication needs
Blaise High School Resource Base: This base supports children with autism and moderate learning difficulties, giving them extra help, resources, and personal support.
3. Alternative Provision (AP)
Alternative provision in Bristol offers a flexible, individualised approach to education for students who need a different environment to meet their needs. This can include short-term placements, part-time education, or longer-term provisions, you can find out more here. ALPs are only for students referred by their current school, Bristol County Council will not accept referrals from parents or carers. They have mostly replaced Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), which were specialist schools for kids who couldn’t go to mainstream schools, often because they need extra support with social, emotional, or mental health challenges. Examples of ALP’s in Bristol include:
The Hospital Education Service (Bristol): This provides education to children and young people who are unable to attend school due to medical needs or prolonged hospital stays. The service supports students to continue their education while receiving medical treatment.
The Alternative Learning Provision Bristol: This provides tailored support for children with complex behavioural or social issues, as well as those with medical needs or mental health conditions. This service may involve part-time education, outreach support, or alternative settings depending on the child’s needs.
4. Specialist Colleges (Post-16)
For students aged 16 and older, Bristol is home to several specialised colleges that offer further education and vocational training for young individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities. These institutions provide both academic and practical courses designed to enhance students’ independence, develop essential job skills, and foster social connections. You can find more about post-16 options in Bristol here, and more information from the Bristol Local Offer
City of Bristol College (Supported Learning Programs): This college offers tailored courses for young individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and other additional needs. The curriculum emphasises the development of job skills, life skills, and workplace readiness.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS College) – Supported Learning: SGS College features a Supported Learning pathway for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), equipping them with the skills, confidence, and qualifications necessary for future employment or higher education.
Blaise High School SEN Post 16 Blaise High School’s Post 16 provision is exclusively for students with an EHCP for learning difficulties, requiring a smaller, nurturing environment after Year 11. The two-year course focuses on developing independent living skills, confidence, and world-of-work knowledge, while continuing studies in Maths, English, and ICT, with additional lessons in Arts and PE. The goal is to prepare students for suitable college courses or employment.
5. Home Education Support
Home education can be a good choice for children who have health issues, mental health challenges, or special educational needs that make it hard for them to attend school if you feel you have the capacity to do this. There are several places you can get more information and support for this:
Bristol City Council’s Home Education Support: Parents teaching their children at home can get help from the council’s education team. This includes advice on what to teach and how to access special services if needed. You can see more on their website
Bristol Home Educators (BHE): This is a support network for families who educate their children at home, with a specialist focus on those with special educational needs. Many families join this group to connect with others for support, advice, and social activities. You can join the Bristol Home Educators Facebook group or visit their website to find out about events and discussions. You can join their Facebook group for more information.
The Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS): This national service supports families throughout the UK who are home-educating children with special needs. HEAS promotes the rights of these families and provides resources to help parents with their children’s learning at home. You can learn more on their website
Bristol provides various types of special education to help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), starting from early childhood through to after secondary. school. These programs are designed for different needs, such as autism, learning challenges, physical disabilities, emotional difficulties, and mental health concerns. The services in the city aim to give personalised support to make sure every child and young person gets the education they need to succeed. However, due to send spaces being so limited, you may have to look outside of Bristol for the correct placement for your child. You can find SEND schools, resource bases and other educational providers on this website, a fantastic resource with a wealth of information. If you need further help, please contact us