Stone Lodge Therapeutic School

Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is an independent special school for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have an education, health and care plan. This was a material change inspection, commissioned by the Department for Education, to consider the school's plans to extend its age range and increase pupil numbers. Inspectors found that the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if those changes are implemented. The school's leadership, proprietor and governors have a clear understanding of its context and are ambitious for pupils, many of whom have had disrupted or negative prior experiences of education. Plans for the proposed changes are well thought through, including a new site, purpose-built technical facilities, and recruitment and training for new staff. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, teaching is effective, assessment is rigorous, and therapy and nurture are central to provision. Safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment, safer recruitment and premises arrangements are all found to be suitable for the proposed increases. Across the standards checked, no significant concerns were identified. All relevant standards are likely to be met if the material changes are approved, including provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, welfare, suitability of staff, premises and accessibility.

Strengths

• Leaders, the proprietor and governors have a clear, ambitious vision focused on nurture and high-quality education.
• The proposed material changes are carefully planned, including a new site and purpose-built facilities for technical skills.
• The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with individual pathways and personalised support plans for pupils.
• Teaching is effective, focusing sharply on key knowledge, subject vocabulary and revisiting prior learning.
• Assessment is rigorous and informs future curriculum planning.
• Therapy and nurture are at the heart of the school's provision.
• Safeguarding arrangements are strong, with up-to-date policies, training and detailed record-keeping.
• Health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment systems are robust and regularly checked.
• Safer-recruitment procedures are robust, and the single central record is accurately maintained.
• Premises, toilets, medical rooms, outdoor spaces and accessibility planning are suitable for the proposed increases.
• Pupils benefit from strong personal, social and cultural development, including community volunteering and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
• Governors provide appropriate expertise, support and challenge to the school.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Stone Lodge Therapeutic School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Stone Lodge Therapeutic School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is Good, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Stone Lodge Therapeutic School last inspected by Ofsted?

Stone Lodge Therapeutic School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Stone Lodge Therapeutic School have?

Stone Lodge Therapeutic School has 77 pupils on roll.

What age range does Stone Lodge Therapeutic School cover?

Stone Lodge Therapeutic School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

What are Stone Lodge Therapeutic School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 10.6, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Stone Lodge Therapeutic School?

Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is at Stone Lodge, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8XF.