Fitzwaryn is a special school situated on the northern edge of Wantage in Oxfordshire. Wantage is a small market town in the Vale of the White Horse which has greatly extended over the last thirty years. Nearby is the famous White Horse that gives the Vale its name. It serves an area from Faringdon to Wantage but some pupils also come from the neighbouring Local Authorities of Berkshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Fitzwaryn is a school for children from 3 to 16 years whose special needs range from moderate learning difficulties to profound and multiple learning difficulties. The school is organised in seven classes on the main site and an Integrated Foundation Stage class at a local school. These classes are grouped into two departments roughly equating with Primary and Secondary stages of schooling. The school is organised in such a way so that children with similar needs can work together. Generally a class teacher is responsible for all curriculum areas. The keynote to the organisation is flexibility so that individual needs can be catered for.

The school policy is to follow the National Curriculum for all pupils as appropriate to their individual needs, and to encourage the development of the children's self-dependence and independence skills. School journeys and residential visits are a regular part of the curriculum offered to the school.

Pupils are entered, where appropriate, for modules in National Skills Profile. These cover all aspects of the National Curriculum and vocational areas. Pupils complete challenges for the Bronze/Silver ASDAN Youth Award. Year 11 pupils with severe learning difficulties work towards OCR 'Achievement for Life and Living.'

Sport plays an important part in the school's curriculum. Most children swim once a week, and there is a range of both competitive and non competitive sports offered, as well as the use of PE apparatus and more specialised equipment for children with particular disabilities. Many of the children in the 8-16 year age range are involved in competing in sports events with other schools, both mainstream and special.

There are integration links for individual pupils and groups with local primary schools and secondary school. The pupils in Year 10 and 11 also have links with Abingdon, Witney, Newbury, Swindon or Oxpens colleges, as appropriate. Those pupils not going straight to work attend one of these colleges on leaving the school at the age of 16 where they receive extended education, or more training as part of a general work preparation programme.