National Association of Independent & Non-Maintained Special Schools

Welcome to NASS

The National Association of Special Schools

NASS is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We provide support, advice, information, events, training and a strong national voice.

We’re a growing community of over 500 schools and organisations, and welcome every type of special school – independent, special academies, multi-academy trusts with special schools, non-maintained, and maintained special schools.

We work in close partnership with our members, other SEND organisations, and with central and local government, providing insight, information and influence to help shape the future of special education. NASS champions high-quality, specialist provision within a modern, inclusive education system that respects the choices of children, young people and their families.

Read our latest news

A new outcome measure tool to measure the impact of therapy on learners' quality of life and access to education

Northern Counties School was our 2025 Innovation Award winner for developing a groundbreaking therapy outcome measure tool, designed to better capture the impact of therapy on learners with complex needs—supporting improvements in wellbeing, independence, and access to education. In this guest blog, Louise Allport, Assistant Head (Therapy), explains more.

From Mental Health to Social and Emotional – what difference does it make?

NASS CEO, Claire Dorer, reflects on a proposal in the SEND Reforms consultation that could signal the end of a 12-year categorising of ‘Mental Health Needs’ as a distinct category of SEND, and a return to ‘Social and Emotional Needs’ within the SEND Code of Practice and proposed Specialist Provision Packages.