Abbey School for Exceptional Children is an independent special school in Cheshire West and Chester for children and young people aged 4 to 19.
- Ages 4–19
- 128 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
School details
- Type
- Independent special school
- Ages
- 4 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 128 (places for 150)
- Headteacher
- Dr Katy Lee
- Opened
- 7 September 2020
- Council
- Cheshire West and Chester
- School reference (URN)
- 147951
How to get a place
4 steps, starting with an EHC plan
- An EHC plan
Places at schools like this usually come through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. If your child doesn’t have one yet, you can ask the council for an assessment yourself.
- Visit and ask questions
See whether the school feels right and whether it can meet your child’s needs. Our list of questions below can help.
- Ask for the school to be named
Tell the council that looks after the plan (often Cheshire West and Chester council) that this is the school you want, and ask them to consult it.
- An offer, and the council’s agreement
As an independent school not approved under Section 41, it doesn’t have to accept a place: the school has to offer one, and the council has to agree to name it in the plan.
Questions to ask when you visit
8 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them on the day.
Ofsted
Rated Good, July 2025
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2025.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Independent school standards: all standards met.
Contact and getting there
10-12 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, how to get a place and the questions to ask, in your inbox.
Other SEND schools nearby
- The Catholic High School, Chester Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.8 miles
- Maple Grove School Independent · Ages 5–18 1.1 miles
- Dee Banks School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
All SEND schools in Cheshire West and Chester
By need in Cheshire West and Chester: Autism (13) · SEMH (9) · Speech and language (8) · Moderate learning (7) · Severe learning (4) · PMLD (3) · Physical (2)
Questions about Abbey School for Exceptional Children
How do I get a place at Abbey School for Exceptional Children?
There’s no catchment area or application round. Places usually come through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan: ask the council that looks after the plan to consult Abbey School for Exceptional Children. As an independent school not approved under Section 41, it has to offer a place and the council has to agree to name it.
What ages does Abbey School for Exceptional Children take?
Aged 4 to 19, boys and girls.
What is Abbey School for Exceptional Children’s Ofsted rating?
There’s no overall grade to show. Read the school’s latest inspection report on the Ofsted website.
Where is Abbey School for Exceptional Children?
10-12 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU, in Cheshire West and Chester.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.