- Age range
- 5–19
- Co-ed status
- Mixed
- Number of students
- 61
- Day / boarding
- Day only
- Religious affiliation
- Non-denominational
- Average fees
- £68,000 (annual, inc. VAT)
- Has a nursery
- No
How the school describes itself
- Dovecote says it is a place where the unimaginable becomes achievable.
- The school emphasises a needs-led therapeutic curriculum, small classes and preparing students for adulthood with confidence.
- The school is hopeful, specialist and focused on giving pupils a genuinely fresh start.
Fee profile
Annual fees including VAT. 2025-26.
Parents like
- A compelling option for families seeking a specialist setting that combines education with therapeutic understanding rather than treating support as an add-on.
- The atmosphere appears intentionally nurturing and high support, which will be a strength for the right pupil and unnecessary for others.
- Features such as family support, regulation spaces and outdoor learning are likely to matter more here than conventional academic branding.
Admissions
Dovecote is a specialist independent day school for pupils aged 5 to 18 with SEND and an EHCP, especially autism and associated needs. Public admissions materials say families and local authorities can start with an enquiry or visit, after which the school reviews paperwork and assesses whether it can meet the child's needs before agreeing a start date with the local authority.
Scholarships
Dovecote does not present a traditional scholarship or bursary model. The emphasis is on specialist provision, therapeutic support and EHCP-led funded placements rather than competitive fee awards.
Bursaries
Dovecote School does not clearly publish bursary details. As a specialist setting, funding may be handled through placements, private fee arrangements or individual support discussions rather than a standard published bursary scheme, so families should confirm the route directly with the school.
- The school does not publish a standard bursary entry route, so families should confirm whether funding is arranged through placements, private fees or case-by-case support.
- No standard public bursary tariff, remission percentage or fund size is published.
- Families should ask the school directly how funding is arranged, whether any private fee remission exists and who handles financial discussions.
Inspection snapshot
Dovecote's most recent Ofsted reporting includes an additional inspection dated March 2025, with Ofsted listings showing the school as Outstanding. Earlier inspection commentary described the school as life changing for many families and highlighted an ambitious curriculum built around pupils' talents and interests.
For schools
School staff? Join us and improve this profile.
Upload official imagery, add your website and admissions links, and choose a school-supported membership package.