Venture Learning

School material change inspection report

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19A Forester Street, Netherfield, Nottingham NG4 2LJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders understand their safeguarding responsibilities. They complete training to ensure that their knowledge of safeguarding remains up to date, including about harmful sexual behaviour and radicalisation and extremism. They are well informed about safeguarding issues in the local area that may affect pupils.  Leaders work together closely to make sure that nothing gets missed where pupils’ welfare is concerned. They meet formally each week to check that each pupil is getting the support they need.  Pupils’ safeguarding files are comprehensive. These demonstrate that leaders act in a timely and appropriate way to keep pupils safe.  Staff complete suitable safeguarding training when they join the school. Leaders frequently provide staff with safeguarding updates.  Staff understand the procedures they should follow if they are worried about a pupil.

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Main inspection findings

They know how to escalate these concerns, if necessary.  Staff know what to do if they are concerned about the actions of an adult towards a pupil, including if the adult is the headteacher.  Leaders and staff share information about pupils during daily briefings. This ensures that staff know whether pupils’ circumstances have changed and how best to support them.  Pupils forge positive relationships with each other and with staff. They say that staff listen to them and always help them sort out any problems. As a result, pupils feel safe and well looked after.  Pupils learn how to stay safe. They know how to keep their personal information safe online. They understand how to look after their mental health. They appreciate the importance of consent in relationships. Pupils learn about the consequences of substance misuse and the impact of gangs and knife crime.  Leaders share safeguarding information with relevant external organisations when a

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Main inspection findings

pupil joins or leaves the school.  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. It is up to date and in line with current national guidance. Paragraph 11–12  Leaders ensure that all staff implement the school’s health and safety policy effectively.  Leaders complete a range of premises checks and act promptly to put right any issues.  An annual audit of the school’s health and safety arrangements by external professionals reassures leaders that the arrangements are effective.  The school premises comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment for the site has been completed.  Leaders check the school’s fire safety arrangements and equipment at suitable intervals. Termly fire drills ensure that pupils and staff know what to do to keep themselves safe. Clear signs indicating evacuation routes and fire exits allow pupils to leave the building safely.

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Main inspection findings

 All staff complete training in relation to health and safety and fire safety awareness. Paragraph 14  There are sufficient staff to provide appropriate supervision of pupils during the school day, both in school and when pupils take part in off-site activities.  If the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll takes place, the proprietor plans to recruit more staff. This will ensure that the current high levels of supervision are maintained. Paragraph 16–16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy is appropriate. Leaders devise suitable risk assessments for the school site, for specific activities and for individual pupils. These risk assessments identify potential hazards and strategies to use to mitigate these. Staff know how to implement these risk assessments effectively.  Leaders review the risk assessments when necessary to ensure that these remain up to date and relevant.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards)

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Main inspection findings

checked in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(3)(b), 21(5)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  Leaders follow suitable safer recruitment procedures when appointing new staff. They complete the checks needed to ensure that an adult is suitable to work with pupils before the adult starts to work at the school. They also ensure that appropriate checks are made on supply staff.  The single central record provides a comprehensive summary of leaders’ recruitment checks.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(c), 28(1)–28(2)(b)  There are toilet facilities available for the sole use of pupils. Each toilet is in a separate, lockable room. There are sufficient toilet facilities to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  Washing facilities are suitable. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  Pupils can access drinking water throughout the day from the kitchen tap. The drinking water is labelled as such. Paragraph 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2)  Accommodation for the short-term medical care of pupils includes suitable washing facilities, a well-stocked first-aid kit and a lockable cabinet to store medication. This accommodation is located close to toilets. Paragraph 25–27(b)  The premises are well maintained, inside and out. Teaching spaces are well organised, and resources are stored safely. There is sufficient teaching and social space to

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Main inspection findings

accommodate the requested increase in pupil numbers.  Rooms are well lit, and there is well-placed external lighting.  The acoustics in each room are suitable. Paragraph 29(1)–29(1)(b)  There is plenty of indoor space where pupils can relax and socialise with each other.  Pupils use facilities in the local community to take part in physical activities.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the standards that were checked as part of this inspection. The proprietor has made sure that the school meets these standards consistently, including those relating to pupils’ welfare and health and safety.  The proprietor and the leaders have a shared vision for the kind of provision they offer pupils. They have a clear rationale for requesting an increase in the number of pupils on the school’s roll. The planned increase is small to help maintain the close relationships between pupils and staff. There is sufficient space on the premises to accommodate these additional pupils.  The proprietor understands their statutory duties in relation to keeping pupils safe. The proprietor work closely with school leaders to promote pupils’ welfare. Together, they make sure that safeguarding is a top priority.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has created an atmosphere of trust and respect at the school. Staff value the working relationships they have with each other. They appreciate the support they receive to carry out their roles.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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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

Email address Rich.hill@venturelearning.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 November 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 13 22 22

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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 12 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 1 Up to 22

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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 1 Up to 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 Venture Learning is an independent special school. The proprietor of the school is Venture Learning Limited.  The school is registered to provide education for up to 15 pupils. There are currently 13 pupils on the school’s roll.  The school caters for pupils with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. Some pupils have additional learning needs.  Some pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils’ places at Venture Learning are commissioned either by local authorities or by schools.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The chair of the proprietorial board was the school’s headteacher until September 2022. He continues to work at the school as a senior leader.  The school received a standard inspection from 8 to 10 July 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this material change inspection in response to the school’s request to increase the number of approved pupil places to 22. This was the school’s first material change inspection for this proposed change.  The inspector considered the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: the arrangements for safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment; supervision of pupils; recruitment of staff; the suitability of the premises and accommodation; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietorial board, the headteacher and some staff. She also spoke with some pupils.  The inspector reviewed policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. The inspector scrutinised the school’s single central record and undertook a tour of the school’s premises.

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Inspection team

Rachel Tordoff, 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Inspection team

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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