Essex has 45 special schools with a published Ofsted grade. At their latest inspection 12 were outstanding or exceptional and 91% good or better, against 90% of special schools across England. The most recent was inspected on 26 Oct 2026. Source: Ofsted inspection reports (Open Government Licence v3).
- 12 outstanding or exceptional
- 27 good, strong or expected
- 2 requires improvement or needs attention
- 2 inadequate or urgent improvement
| Special schools | Latest grade | Inspected | Postcode area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatten Free School | Outstanding | 27 Mar 2024 | CM8 |
| Glenwood School | Outstanding | 13 Nov 2014 | SS7 |
| Lexden Springs | Outstanding | 22 May 2025 | CO3 |
| Octavia House Schools, Essex | Outstanding | 6 Jul 2023 | CM2 |
| Ramsden Hall Academy | Outstanding | 12 Sept 2025 | CM11 |
| Shorefields School | Outstanding | 25 Jun 2019 | CO15 |
| Southview School | Outstanding | 14 Sept 2022 | CM8 |
| Southview School | Outstanding | 26 Nov 2025 | CM8 |
| The Bridge Pioneer | Outstanding | 1 May 2019 | SS14 |
| The Tower School | Outstanding | 9 May 2025 | CM16 |
| Thriftwood School | Outstanding | 13 Sept 2017 | CM2 |
| Wells Park | Outstanding | 6 Nov 2025 | IG7 |
| Cambian Great Dunmow School | Good | 18 Sept 2025 | CM6 |
| Castledon School | Good | 12 Dec 2018 | SS12 |
| Cedar Hall School | Good | 27 Feb 2018 | SS7 |
| Community College Initiative Ltd | Good | 3 Mar 2022 | CM1 |
| Compass Community School Essex | Good | 12 Dec 2024 | CO16 |
| Endeavour Co-Operative Academy | Good | 7 Jun 2023 | CM15 |
| Glenwood School | Good | 12 Mar 2026 | SS7 |
| Grove House School | Good | 7 Jun 2018 | CM15 |
| Harlow Fields School and College | Good | 3 Jul 2018 | CM18 |
| Kingswode Hoe School | Strong | 9 Jun 2026 | CO3 |
| Langham Oaks | Good | 26 Nov 2025 | CO4 |
| Luxborough Court School | Good | 9 Nov 2023 | IG7 |
| Market Field School and College | Good | 17 Oct 2019 | CO7 |
| Minerva Independent School | Good | 8 Feb 2024 | CO16 |
| Oak View School | Good | 24 Nov 2022 | IG10 |
| Omnia Foundation | Expected | 30 Jun 2026 | SS6 |
| Ramsden Hall Academy | Good | 12 Oct 2022 | CM11 |
| St John's RC School (Essex) | Expected | 21 Apr 2026 | IG8 |
| Teaseldown School | Expected | 23 Jun 2026 | CO9 |
| The Belsteads School | Good | 30 Jan 2025 | CM3 |
| The Edith Borthwick School | Expected | 13 Jan 2026 | CM7 |
| The Greenwell Academy | Expected | 28 Apr 2026 | CM18 |
| The Hawthorns School | Expected | 6 Jan 2026 | CM1 |
| The Hawthorns School | Good | 11 Jun 2026 | CM1 |
| The Yellow House School | Expected | 2 Jun 2026 | CO9 |
| Woodcroft School | Expected | 10 Feb 2026 | IG10 |
| Woodend Farm School | Good | 20 Jun 2024 | CM8 |
| Doucecroft School | Requires improvement | 27 Feb 2025 | CO6 |
| Langham Oaks | Requires improvement | 1 Dec 2021 | CO4 |
| Athena School | Urgent improvement | 30 Jun 2026 | SS8 |
| Clarity Independent School | Inadequate | 23 Sept 2022 | CM2 |
| High Trees | No grade | 26 Oct 2026 | W1W |
| Wells Park School | No grade | 26 Oct 2026 | IG7 |