Stone Lodge Therapeutic School
Stone Lodge Therapeutic School, Northamptonshire.
Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is an independent SEN specialist school based near Kettering in Northamptonshire but welcomes referrals from local authorities nationally. It caters for a maximum of 41 children aged 11-17, all of whom have an Education Health and Care Plan with main presenting needs in the area of Social, Emotional and Mental Health and/ or Autism Spectrum Condition. Most pupils SEMH needs relate to anxiety and self harm – or emotionally based school avoidance.
All aspects of school life are underpinned by therapeutic principles and carefully designed and implemented with therapeutic principles at the forefront of the minds of all staff. In addition to the therapeutic ethos and environment at Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is a team of adept and experienced therapists, whose purpose is to undertake direct work with children where required, and to train and support staff thereby ensuring that all pupils needs are recognised individually and met holistically.
The primary goal of Stone Lodge Therapeutic School will be to support our pupils’ social and emotional development to ensure that they can access a rich and varied curriculum and meet their academic potential. All pupils will be given robust support to prepare for adulthood and ensure that they have the skills and qualifications required to move on at the end of their formal education and enter further education, training or employment.
The school opened in June 2023 and is currently rated outstanding in two categories and good in two by Ofsted.
Some examples of the latest parent feedback can be found below:
Parental Feedback November 2023:
- “I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that Stone Lodge has had a life changing impact not only for my child, but for my whole family. My child faced significant challenges in mainstream secondary; these affected her mental health this impacted on the whole family. To be in an environment where she is known and understood is just amazing. Of course we have ‘bumpy’ days – but these are FAR fewer.”
- “She didn’t even want to go to school before now she can’t wait to go…”
- “For so long I have felt that we have battled with a system that did not work for my child. Everything was a fight and more than once I considered withdrawing my child from education all together. I am so glad I didn’t. We are so lucky to have a place at Stone Lodge. A place where my child’s needs are understood and supported; a place where (finally) my child feels safe enough to learn; a place where my child is actively encouraged to be their true self; a place where learning and emotional well being are recognised as being intertwined and BOTH are prioritised. Thank you”
- “They are an outstanding school and I am over the moon that my son attends this school.”
Education
Find out more about the curriculum offer at Stone Lodge Therapeutic School and see if it suits your child.
Care
Find out how we care for our pupils and support them to develop their social skills and emotional resilience.
The Principal - Ollie Sharp
Welcome to our school!
I have been lucky enough to work with pupils with additional needs and skills for more than 20 years in roles such as Headteacher, Head of Care and Principal and I am thrilled to set up this new school.
This school is very important – partly because it is a truly independent school. We are free to act in anyway to support the pupils in our care and going above and beyond is our expectation. I believe that a good school should adapt it’s shape to fit the shape of the child – and with only up to 41 children I believe we can really provide that. We live by our ethos of care, understanding and ambition.
I believe in working very closely with parents and carers so please contact me for an informal discussion about the school and how it can support your child.
What Ofsted said about the school in 2024:
“Stone Lodge Therapeutic School has a safe and caring culture. Pupils are known exceptionally well. As pupils join the school, staff take time to identify their individual needs. They piece together why pupils have struggled to attend school in the past. The school works with determination to break down the barriers that have stopped pupils from enjoying, and engaging in, their education previously. Now, many pupils attend school well. Pupils appreciate the positive and nurturing relationships they have with staff. They know that they are expected to behave well. They are confident that staff support them in moments of stress or frustration. Increasingly, pupils recognise their emotions, find the right words to explain how they feel and have a range of strategies to use when they face personal challenges. Pupils are respected and listened to by staff. Parents and carers also value the high levels of care and support their children receive. A parent, typical of many, described how their child’s ‘confidence has soared’ since joining the school. The school’s personal development offer is exceptional. It makes a significant contribution to the school’s ambition that every pupil will experience success and believe in themselves as they face their future.”
