Although most children and young people with special educational needs will have their needs met in either their local mainstream setting, resource base, SEND unit or special school, a very small number may need something different.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
A condition where a child or young person may struggle with focus, sitting still, or managing impulses. Schools support them with strategies to succeed in learning.
Alternative Provision
Education provided outside mainstream school for learners who need a different environment to succeed.
Autism (ASD)
A condition that affects how a child or young person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world. Tailored support helps them learn and thrive.
Holistic Curriculum
A way of teaching that looks at the whole child or young person, supporting not just academic progress but also life skills, health, and personal development.
Independent Living Skills
Practical skills like cooking, managing money, using transport, or looking after a home, which prepare young people for adulthood.
Learning Disabilities/Difficulties
When a child or young person learns at a slower pace and needs extra support with understanding, communication, and independence.
Personal Care
Support with daily needs such as washing, dressing, and eating, provided when a young person cannot manage these alone.
Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE)
A hands-on approach to learning that uses creative and practical activities (like crafts, gardening, or animal care) to build confidence, skills, and well-being.
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
When a young person has very complex learning needs as well as significant physical or medical needs, requiring specialist teaching, care, and therapies.
Resilience
The ability to recover from challenges, manage emotions, and keep trying even when things are difficult.
SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs)
When a child or young person struggles with behaviour, emotions, or relationships, often needing extra support to succeed at school and in life.
Therapeutic Interventions/Support
Activities or services such as counselling, art, music, or occupational therapy that support emotional, physical, or social development.
Trauma-Informed
An approach to teaching and care that understands how difficult experiences affect a child or young person, and provides safe, supportive strategies to help them learn and feel secure.
Vocational Training/Skills
Learning practical work-related skills (e.g., construction, childcare, animal care, or office skills) to prepare for future jobs or training.
Visual Impairment
When a child or young person has partial or full loss of sight, requiring adaptations and specialist support to access learning.
You can find information about independent schools in Dudley and the surrounding area below.
Arc Oakbridge School supports children and young people aged 7–17 with autism (ASC) and associated complex needs. It delivers a calm, low-arousal, nurturing curriculum combining academic (GCSEs, BTECs, Functional Skills), life skills, therapeutic support, and innovative technology—including VR—to foster independence, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Aurora Cedars School provides personalised education for students aged 5–19 with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Its curriculum blends the National Curriculum with the THRIVE approach, focusing on emotional and social development. The Active Citizens programme offers outdoor education and community engagement opportunities.
Aurora Wilden View School provides personalised academic and therapeutic support for students aged 5-19 with social, emotional, and mental health needs, including those who face communication and behavioural challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Conditions.
Bettws Lifehouse is an independent special school offering bespoke, trauma-informed education for children and young people aged 5–19. It supports those with social, emotional, and mental health needs, autism spectrum conditions, and moderate learning difficulties. The curriculum is delivered through small, nurturing groups, focusing on emotional regulation, personal development, and academic progress. Students are encouraged to build confidence and resilience in a safe, supportive environment, preparing them for further education or employment. The school operates in both Wales and England, with recent expansion into Shrewsbury.
Braidwood is a Trust School for the Deaf, provides education for learners whose first special educational need (SEN) is deafness, from partial to profound, aged between 11 - 19 years of age, from across the whole Midland region.
Bushbury School (ages 7–19) supports students with Autism and Speech, Language, and Communication Needs. It offers a therapeutic, individualized curriculum combining academic, vocational, and life skills. Using the SHINE model, staff—including therapists and psychologists—provide holistic educational and emotional support in a nurturing environment.
Cambian New Elizabethan School serves 7–19-year-olds with autism, communication difficulties, and challenging behaviours. It offers an individualised curriculum with therapeutic and sensory support, aiming to develop academic progress, emotional regulation, and social skills in a highly structured environment.
Coombswood School educates young people aged 11–16 with SEMH, autism, communication, and learning needs. It delivers a small-group, personalised curriculum including GCSEs, functional skills, vocational pathways, and life skills, within a nurturing environment that supports well-being, resilience, and preparation for future education or employment.
Dudley Port caters for 30 students who have Education, Health and Care Plans. They support both girls and boys. They offer a broad and balanced curriculum with the goal of moving students onto further education, employment or training after year 11. The three strands that make up curriculum are Academic, Pastoral / Experiential and Therapeutic. They have relatively high staff to student ratios and have access to a pastoral team and a therapy team who are able to support the additional needs of the students.
Elm Tree Primary Academy supports 4–11-year-olds with autism and additional learning needs. It provides a sensory-friendly, inclusive environment with therapy and life skills spaces. The curriculum uses verbal, visual, and non-verbal communication to promote academic progress, personal growth, and community integration, fostering a holistic, needs-led approach.
Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School offers Waldorf-inspired education for pupils aged 3–18, emphasising creativity, critical thinking, and experiential learning. It integrates arts, academics, and outdoor activities in a community-oriented, supportive environment that nurtures the whole child.
Great Howarth School is a specialist provision for students aged 8 to 18. Located in Rochdale, we offer a nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential. Our school currently has a capacity of 35 allowing us to provide personalised, small group learning experiences tailored to the individual needs of each student. We specialise in a range of SEND needs, particularly focusing on SEMH, ASC and supporting those young people who have suffered significant trauma. Our provision is designed to address the specific challenges that pupils with these needs face, ensuring they receive the academic, emotional, and social support necessary for success both in school and beyond.
Heathfield Knoll School (Connect Base) provides tailored support for pupils aged 3–18 with additional needs. It offers small-group teaching, therapeutic interventions, and life skills programmes, fostering well-being, self-confidence, and readiness for future learning or employment.
Henslow School supports children and young people aged 5–18 with SEMH and behavioural needs. Using a trauma-informed approach, it combines academic learning with therapeutic support, life skills, and emotional regulation strategies, enabling pupils to develop confidence, resilience, and independence.
Impact Independent school offers alternative education for 11 – 16-year-olds who are struggling with mainstream education due to their social, emotional, behavioural and mental health needs. We offer an academic and vocational pathway where students access a range of GCSE and BTEC qualifications.
Innov4te delivers alternative provision for young people aged 11–19 disengaged from mainstream education. It offers flexible, needs-led programmes combining academic subjects, vocational training, mentoring, and personal development to re-engage learners and prepare them for further education or work.
Lamledge School educates children aged 5–16 with complex SEMH needs in a small, therapeutic setting. Its curriculum blends academic learning, vocational skills, and therapy, promoting emotional well-being, resilience, and readiness for life beyond school.
Care Afloat supports 5–19-year-olds with complex needs, providing a trauma-informed, SEMH-focused curriculum through small-group and one-to-one sessions. Its holistic approach combines vocational training, life skills, and emotional support, including mentoring and therapeutic services, empowering young people to build resilience and successfully transition to adulthood.
Longdon Hall School supports children aged 7–18 with SEMH needs through a therapeutic, individualised curriculum. It offers academic and vocational pathways alongside life skills and emotional support, creating a safe, structured environment for growth and achievement.
Mary Hare School supports deaf children and young people aged 5–19. It delivers a specialist curriculum with speech and language support, alongside a wide range of academic and enrichment activities, fostering independence and self-advocacy skills.
Meadowcroft School educates pupils aged 5–19 with complex SEMH and learning needs. It combines academic subjects, vocational opportunities, and therapeutic interventions to promote well-being, resilience, and preparation for adult life.
Myles Academy delivers alternative education for young people aged 11–25, combining academic learning with vocational opportunities, mentoring, and personal development to re-engage students and equip them with skills for the future.
Nurture Learning supports 4–16-year-olds with social, emotional, and mental health needs. It provides a personalised, small-group and one-to-one curriculum focusing on academic progress, emotional regulation, and social skills. The nurturing, therapeutic approach promotes well-being, personal growth, and prepares students for reintegration into mainstream education or further learning.
Options Higford educates children aged 8–19 with autism and complex needs. It offers personalised learning programmes with therapeutic support, sensory integration, and life skills training, enabling pupils to achieve academic success and personal growth in a safe, structured environment.
Priory Park Community School provides small-group education for pupils aged 7–16 with a variety of needs. It focuses on academic achievement, social and emotional development, and life skills, helping students re-engage with learning and prepare for their next steps.
Rodenhurst School offers tailored education for young people aged 7–16 with additional needs, providing small-group teaching, personalised learning plans, and a focus on academic progress, life skills, and personal development.
Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home is an independent specialist school and children’s home located on 52 acres in the beautiful Clent Hills in the West Midlands. We provide education, care, and therapy for children and young people with a variety of social, emotional, physical, and learning difficulties, including autism and visual impairment. Sunfield offers day and residential placements for children and young people between the ages of 6-19, our residential placements range from 38- to 52-weeks All of our children and young people require, and are provided with, high levels of support throughout the school day and into the residential provision (as required) and surrounding community. Sunfield is a subsidiary of Ruskin Mill Trust. Founded over thirty years ago, Ruskin Mill Trust operates throughout the UK with Specialist Schools, Specialist Colleges and Long-Term Care facilities for children and adults with complex behaviour and learning difficulties including autistic spectrum conditions.
The Rowan School supports children aged 5–11 with complex learning, communication, sensory, and social needs. It offers a personalised, nurturing curriculum enriched with therapeutic interventions and engaging activities, promoting emotional well-being, resilience, and smooth transitions to the next stage of education.
The Wenlock School supports young people aged 7–18 with SEMH needs, delivering a personalised curriculum that integrates academics, therapy, and personal development. The environment promotes resilience, confidence, and the ability to succeed in education and life.
Tipton Green College supports 11–19-year-olds with SEND and SEMH needs, offering personalised, trauma-informed education. The curriculum combines academic learning, vocational training, and life skills, with strong therapeutic support to prepare students for employment, further education, and independent living.
Vicarage Park educates 8–19-year-olds with severe learning difficulties. Its bespoke curriculum blends academic learning, therapy, and life skills in a supportive, inclusive setting, helping pupils achieve independence, confidence, and readiness for adult life.
Victoria Park supports children and young people aged 6–17 with complex special educational needs, including SEMH. It provides a trauma-informed, small-group curriculum that integrates academic learning, therapeutic support, and life skills, helping pupils build confidence, resilience, and readiness for future education or employment.
Woodbury School educates 7–18-year-olds with complex SEMH needs in a small, nurturing environment. Its trauma-informed curriculum integrates academic subjects, vocational skills, and therapeutic interventions, enabling pupils to build resilience, improve well-being, and achieve personal and educational goals.
WV2 Education offers alternative provision for learners aged 11–25 outside mainstream schooling. It provides personalised programmes that blend academic study, vocational training, mentoring, and skills for independent living, aiming to improve engagement and future prospects.
Independent Specialist Colleges
Freeman College supports students aged 16–25 with complex learning needs, including autism and emotional difficulties. It offers a practical, craft-based curriculum rooted in the Ruskin Mill Trust’s philosophy, integrating activities like metalwork, horticulture, and cooking to promote independence and personal development. Residential and day placements are available.
Glasshouse College caters to students aged 16–25 with learning difficulties, including autism and ADHD. Its curriculum blends Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) with crafts like glassmaking, animal care, and horticulture.
Queen Alexandra College serves students aged 16–25 with a range of needs, including visual impairment, autism, and learning disabilities. It offers a holistic curriculum focusing on life skills, employability, and independence.
Victoria College provides education for young adults aged 19–25 with profound and multiple learning difficulties. The curriculum emphasizes personal care, communication, and life skills, supported by on-site nursing provision to meet complex healthcare needs.
If you are an independent school or college that is interested in being added to the Dudley Local Offer, please complete our feedback form and a member of the team will be in touch. Remember to include your name and contact details.
Last updated: 17/11/2025