Who We Are

We’re a membership organisation representing all types of special schools in England and Wales providing support, advice, information, events, training and a strong national voice for special schools.

NASS champions high-quality, specialist provision within a modern, inclusive education system that respects the choices of children, young people and their families.

Our values

We put NASS members and their learners at the heart of all we do.

We are proactive, outward-facing and collaborative, to continuously improve opportunities and standards for member schools and their learners.

Our vision

Our vision is that every child and young person with SEND receives the education and support they need to achieve their best possible outcomes.

Children and young people with SEND are supported by a diverse range of specialised provision, in and from special schools, with the capacity and quality to meet their needs.

Our mission

We inform and support our members, enabling them to deliver improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

We represent our members, influencing policy and practice as the voice of special schools.

We research and share approaches that deliver positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

We create networks and communities of schools that enable the growing and sharing of effective practices for schools.

What we do

We offer expert advice to members on issues, policies and changes affecting the sector. Members receive regular newsletters, briefings and have access to events and training on topics vital to delivering excellent special needs provision. The team is also available to provide individual guidance to our members.

We unite the NASS community through two annual conferences and host termly special interest groups to foster collaboration and shared expertise.

Through our partnerships with organisations, we offer our members exclusive access to special rates on a wide range of products, support and solutions.

Central to our mission is for special schools to be centres of excellence, delivering and evidencing the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

We recognise, enable and share excellence from across our membership. This includes investing in initiatives that will provide long-term value and helping members develop and become centres of excellence through bespoke leadership programmes for special schools. We also showcase our members on our website and social media along with celebrating them in the annual NASS Awards.

We work hard to ensure our special school community receives proper representation. We are recognised by the Department for Education and Ofsted as the key sector body and seek to influence and push for change on behalf of our members. We respond to all key government consultations, ensuring that the views and concerns of our members are not only raised but also heard.

We’re represented on all key working groups and forums including the Special Educational Consortium and National SEND Forum.

Join our community of special schools

Learn more about NASS membership and how we support special schools

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