Stone Lodge Therapeutic School

School material change inspection report

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Stone Lodge Therapeutic School Stone Lodge, Rothwell Road, Kettering NN16 8XF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7(a) and 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school has an appropriate safeguarding policy in place that has regard to the most recent statutory guidance. This policy is available on the school website.  The proprietor has ensured that staff receive regular and appropriate safeguarding training. This training is responsive to the needs of the pupils and relevant contextual safeguarding issues. Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding and follow the school’s robust procedures for sharing any concerns.  The school’s actions to safeguard pupils are timely and appropriate. This includes appropriate liaison with external agencies to support pupils’ well-being.  The school has trained several members of staff as designated safeguarding leads. This will ensure that the school has adequate capacity should the material change be

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Main inspection findings

approved.  Pupils rightly say that they feel safe. They share that they have trusted adults with whom they can share concerns should they have any.  Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. They can explain their understanding of this, including how to stay safe when online. Paragraphs 11 and 12  The school’s health and safety policy is comprehensive and complies with relevant legislation. The school, and external professionals as appropriate, carry out checks to ensure the safety of the school site. These checks have been undertaken at regular intervals over time on the school’s existing site and have been undertaken since the completion of building work at the proposed site.  The proprietor has ensured that there is an effective system in place for staff to report any concerns. The governing body and the proprietor have appropriate oversight of the checks that are carried out and the school’s response to any identified issues.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s policies and procedures comply with the necessary fire safety regulations. Fire escapes are clearly marked to facilitate evacuation. Alarm systems and extinguishers are tested regularly. The school carries out regular fire drills to ensure that pupils and staff know what to do in case of fire. Appropriate regard has been taken about the implication of admitting more pupils, including updating fire evacuation plans. Paragraph 14  The school deploys staff appropriately to ensure pupils’ safety and well-being.  The school has plans to employ additional teachers and support staff should the material change be approved. This includes staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills to cater for pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  The proprietor has expanded the number of leaders at the school to ensure that there is capacity to manage the two school sites, needed to cater for the proposed extra

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Main inspection findings

pupils. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  There is a detailed risk assessment policy in place. The school has written appropriate risk assessment across a wide range of potential risks including those associated with the school premises, individual pupils’ needs and travel.  Risk assessments provide comprehensive detail for staff about potential risks and how to mitigate against them. They rate the risks across each activity and are regularly reviewed. The school updates risk assessments after any new incident or identified risk. There are appropriate adaptions to relevant assessments relating to the proposed growth of the school.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards (the standards) checked in these parts if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(6)  The proprietor knows what checks must be undertaken to assure themselves of any new member of staff’s suitability to work with pupils. These checks are completed appropriately before new staff begin working at the school.  The school does not currently use any supply or agency staff and does not plan to do so. However, agency staff have been employed during this academic year and leaders have the understanding they need to undertake, when necessary, the appropriate checks in relation to supply staff.  The school has undertaken all the necessary checks required for members of the proprietor body.  The school records all recruitment checks diligently on the school’s single central record.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval

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Main inspection findings

for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  The proposed school premises provide appropriate toilet and shower facilities for the sole use of pupils. To ensure privacy, toilet cubicles can be locked from the inside. The hot water in these facilities does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  Pupils have access to clearly marked drinking water at all times.  The facilities at the new site are sufficient to cater for the number of pupils the school proposes will access the site. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b)  There is an appropriate medical room on the proposed school site to cater for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. The room contains a shower and sink. A toilet is nearby. Paragraph 25 to 27(b)  The proposed site, following the completion of building work and the installation of specialist equipment in the science and cooking classrooms, for example, is safe and

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Main inspection findings

appropriate.  All areas of the school are well lit and have suitable acoustics. There is sufficient outdoor and emergency lighting.  The school carries out regular checks on the maintenance of its existing site and has completed initial checks of the proposed site. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There is an outdoor space behind the school where pupils can take a break and play. The space has been carefully designed, for example, in relation to the fencing used to enclose the space to ensure that pupils are safe and comfortable.  The school uses a range of local sports and outdoor facilities to ensure that pupils receive a range of physical education opportunities.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the standards that were checked as part of this inspection. They have ensured that the school consistently meets these standards.  The proprietor and school leaders have planned thoughtfully for the proposed expansion of the school’s provision. They have given due consideration to the well- being of existing pupils and ensured that arrangements have been made so that the increase in pupil numbers and addition of the new site will not be detrimental to these pupils.  All pupils who attend the school have an educational and health care (EHC) plan. The school ensures that the provision pupils receive is appropriate to their needs. Pupils develop the knowledge they need in relation to maintaining their physical and mental health and are well prepared for life beyond school.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility policy in place which ensures that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to continue to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 ('the independent school standards') and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Rockingham Educational Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £55,000 to £71,000

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School details

Website www.stonelodgetherapeuticschool.co.uk

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School details

Email address office@stonelodgeschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 June 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 11 to 17 11-17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 41 77 77

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School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 41 77

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 41 77

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 41 77

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 41 77

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 23

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 7 9

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Information about this school

 Stone Lodge Therapeutic School is an independent special school that provides education for up to 41 pupils aged 11 to 17. There are currently 41 pupils on roll. The school is based at Stone Lodge, Rothwell Road, Kettering NN16 8XF.  The school caters for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school’s most recent inspection took place from 4 to 6 June 2024.  The school uses two unregistered and one registered alternative provisions.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the proposed change to increase the maximum number of pupils that the school is permitted to have on roll to 77, including at a proposed additional site.  The Department for Education commissioned the inspector to consider whether the relevant requirements in parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s previous standard inspection.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and other leaders to discuss the proposed material change. He also met with members of staff.  The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including pre- employment checks recorded on the school’s single central record. He considered a

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Information about this inspection

range of documentation in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.  The inspector spoke with some pupils about their experiences at the school.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s premises to check their suitability and safety.

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Inspection team

Matthew Fearns-Davies, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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