Venture Independent School

Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 1 Venture Independent School Church Street, Wragby, Lincolnshire LN8 5RA

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered. It is currently operating without registration.

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the proposed school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out pre-registration inspections of proposed independent schools, we report on the provider’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards (the standards) first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has adopted a measured approach to opening the proposed school and has planned carefully for gradual growth. Initially, the proposed school intends to provide education for one class of 6 key stage 4 pupils and one class of 6 key stage 3 pupils. Leaders are committed to ensuring that growth is carefully managed so that they can continue to meet pupils’ needs effectively. The proposed school aims to provide full-time education for pupils, who have experienced difficulties attending school because of their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and the joint headteachers demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the standards and have the knowledge and capacity necessary to ensure that they are met consistently. Leaders have designed a suitable learning environment and a curriculum that is tailored to pupils’ additional needs. Leaders Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 2 have established appropriate systems to support pupils’ wellbeing and are already demonstrating the expertise required to lead the provision effectively.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders understand their statutory responsibilities, including those related to safeguarding and adults’ suitability to work with children. They are aware of the requirement to make referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service when a member of staff is considered unsuitable to work with children.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standard in this part is likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The proposed school has developed a suitable curriculum policy that takes account of the age range, needs and aptitudes of the pupils it intends to admit, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The policy is supported by comprehensive schemes of work that provide opportunities for pupils to study a broad range of subjects that are aligned with the national curriculum.

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Curriculum

Leaders intend for pupils to access learning across all required areas of the curriculum and make appropriate progress from their starting points. Curriculum planning is informed by pupils’ ages, prior attainment and individual needs. The wider therapeutic curriculum objectives and planned support will reflect the provision and outcomes identified in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.

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Curriculum

The curriculum is organised effectively, with a strong focus on functional English and mathematics alongside a suitably broad and balanced wider curriculum. Reading is given a high priority. Leaders have planned a range of assessment and support strategies, including a phonics-based approach for pupils who need to catch up. Leaders plan to support the development of pupils’ reading skills and monitor their progress through the English curriculum.

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Curriculum

Leaders have developed a well-planned therapeutic curriculum that is intended to support pupils’ SEMH needs. The wider curriculum is enhanced by a range of outdoor education opportunities. This includes participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is designed to promote resilience, confidence and personal development.

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Curriculum

Provision for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is thoughtfully planned. Pupils will learn about important aspects of relationships, health, citizenship and preparation for adult life. Careers education is integrated in both the curriculum and wider school provision. The proposed arrangements for Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 3 relationships and sex education are likely to meet statutory requirements. Staff will deliver these themes through a structured PSHE programme that reflects the school’s aims and values. The programme is designed to promote respect for others, develop pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics and prepare them effectively for life in modern Britain.

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Teaching

Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of curriculum design, sequencing and pedagogy. Shared planning, monitoring activities and proprietor oversight are intended to ensure consistency in curriculum delivery. The provision has planned a programme of quality assurance activities to check on how well the curriculum is taught. It aims to ensure that teachers plan appropriate sequences of lessons and adopt effective teaching methods. The proprietor plans to make a range of training available for all staff and has mapped this out over the coming academic year.

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Teaching

Subject schemes of work set out the types of learning activities that will be used to help pupils understand new content and develop skills. These are organised to build pupils’ knowledge and skills in a logical manner.

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Teaching

The curriculum seeks to promote pupils’ self-motivation, independence and engagement. Planned opportunities for discussion, reflection and debate, particularly in the wider curriculum, will encourage pupils to think critically and develop confidence in their learning. Planned lessons are structured appropriately and make effective use of available resources. The provision intends that teaching will actively promote pupils’ understanding of the fundamental British values.

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Assessment

Leaders understand the importance of carefully considering pupils’ prior attainment. They have established assessment arrangements to identify accurate starting points, when pupils join the school. These arrangements will be further enhanced, when the school has access to the intended functional skills assessments. Leaders plan to ensure that staff use assessment information effectively to identify gaps in learning and inform teaching. This is likely to support the proposed school’s aim of helping pupils to re-engage with education and make progress from their individual starting points. The provision has a suitable framework in place to assess pupils’ learning and progress and to report this information to parents and carers.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 4

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pupils

Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The planned curriculum reflects the provision’s ethos and supports pupils, who have experienced difficulties in education. Opportunities to develop pupils’ understanding of morality, citizenship, diversity and wider social issues are built into the curriculum. Enrichment activities, including charity work in the local area and the celebration of cultural events, will broaden pupils’ social and cultural experiences.

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pupils

Fundamental British values, protected characteristics, diversity and inclusion are woven throughout the curriculum and wider provision. Leaders also place appropriate emphasis on pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing through therapeutic support, pastoral care and physical education.

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pupils

Leaders plan to monitor the quality of the PSHE curriculum regularly to ensure that staff and visiting speakers do not promote partisan political views.

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pupils

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. There is a comprehensive safeguarding policy that reflects current statutory guidance. The policy makes clear the actions that staff will be expected to take if they have a safeguarding concern. The school will record any concerns on an electronic system.

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Safeguarding

Both headteachers have undertaken designated safeguarding leader training and there are suitable plans for all future staff to be trained to the same level as the school expands. Leaders demonstrate secure knowledge and skills suitable to their roles. They have an accurate awareness of the provision’s contextual issues and the particular vulnerabilities of the pupils the school is planning to admit.

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Safeguarding

The provision plans to deliver a comprehensive programme of safeguarding induction and ongoing training to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge to keep pupils safe. Content will be revisited over time so that it is understood and applied consistently. Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 5 There are suitable arrangements in place to monitor and filter pupils’ access to online materials.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Appropriate behaviour and anti-bullying policies are in place. These policies include the provision’s approach to restoring relationships and to imposing proportionate sanctions. The proposed school is aware of the DfE guidance on restrictive physical intervention (RPI) and has put procedures in place in line with the statutory element requiring the recording of incidents. Incidents of poor behaviour, including any that require RPI, will be recorded electronically and analysed systematically to identify patterns and inform support.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Leaders have planned systems to manage behaviour and support pupils effectively. They have ensured that staff are likely to be able to follow these arrangements consistently. Staff will be expected to place a clear emphasis on relational approaches, de-escalation and helping pupils to regulate their behaviour.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Clear routines and expectations have been arranged and there is an expectation that staff will know how to adapt approaches to meet pupils’ individual needs. Arrangements for the supervision of pupils are likely to be appropriate, including during off-site activities, where staff will maintain clear ratios and oversight. Leaders are proposing to employ an appropriate number of staff to provide a suitable ratio of staff to pupils that will ensure high levels of support and supervision.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has a health and safety policy that is tailored to the proposed school building. It complies with all relevant laws. The proprietor intends to ensure the school’s compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 through commissioning an external fire risk assessment and regular fire safety checks of the building by leaders. The proprietor has an appropriate first-aid policy in place. First-aid boxes are available across the site. The 2 headteachers have undergone first-aid training and posters around the building name them as the dedicated first aiders.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate and up-to-date admission and attendance policy in place. The proposed school will record attendance on an electronic system. It will use this to identify any trends or patterns of absence. It will show the codes that staff will use to record the reasons for pupils’ absence. Systems are in place to ensure that records of admissions will adhere to the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2024. Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 6

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Risk assessment

A written risk assessment policy is in place. The risk assessments that have already been completed show that leaders plan to take appropriate actions to minimise risks on the premises and during pupil activities, including those off site. Risk assessments calculate the nature of risks and set out how these will be mitigated. Leaders have carefully considered risks associated with pupils’ needs and have created suitable risk assessments to guide staff in the best ways to support these pupils. These risk assessments will be reviewed after any significant incident or when a new concerning behaviour occurs.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is in place and meets the requirements for the information that it must contain. The proprietor understands the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up an appointment. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the proposed school’s SCR.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

All the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of a school, have been carried out. The proprietor and both headteachers have completed appropriate training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in the school. The SCR shows that all appropriate checks have been undertaken before staff have started working at the provision. The proprietor plans to recruit additional teachers and support staff as the school grows. The induction process for new staff makes it clear that they will undergo a full suite of safeguarding and other appropriate training on appointment.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school is not intending to engage supply staff or volunteers. However, leaders are aware of the procedures they should follow in the event that they do employ the services of supply staff or volunteers to assure themselves that any such individuals are suitable to work with pupils. Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 7

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and showers

Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for pupils. Hot and cold water is available. The hot water does not present a scalding risk. Drinking water is available and clearly labelled. Suitable changing and shower facilities are available on the school site. However, leaders intend to use a local leisure centre for all physical education activities.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

There is suitable accommodation that can be used for the sole purpose of the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. It includes a washing facility and is close to a toilet.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed school site was previously a nursery and has been recently refurbished to a high standard. There are no obvious health and safety hazards on the site. Leaders have scheduled a range of routine checks that they will undertake to make sure that the building remains safe and is kept in a good condition. The proprietor has taken all necessary steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

All rooms have modern LED lighting and most have large windows providing natural light. All teaching spaces have adequate lighting and appropriate acoustic measures are in place to reduce transference of noise between classrooms.

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Outdoor space

There is a large-sized area to the rear of the building, where pupils can spend time relaxing and playing outdoors. There are plans to divide this space to provide for outdoor education activities as well as a play area.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor is fully aware of the requirements for the information that a school should publish on its website. It has set up a school website that contains Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 8 appropriate information. There is a suitable range of information available for parents and pupils when they join the school. This includes information on admissions, behaviour, the curriculum and safeguarding. All key documents will be made available for parents on request from the school office, as well as being published on the school’s website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school intends to provide to parents termly and annual reports on their children’s attainment and progress. Reports will provide a holistic picture of a pupil’s progress, including towards outcomes listed in pupils’ individual EHC plans. The proprietor is aware that any inspection reports and examination results need to be made available once released. The proprietor is also aware of the requirements to report incidents to parents, as outlined in the DfE April 2026 guidance on RPI.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The complaints policy sets out how parents can raise concerns about the proposed school’s work, including through both informal and formal routes. It clearly explains each stage of the process and the timescales involved. Parents who remain dissatisfied can request an independently chaired panel hearing. Leaders will keep a written record of all complaints and the actions taken.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standard in this part is likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed detailed accessibility plan identifies how leaders will ensure that the site, the curriculum and any documentation are accessible for pupils with SEND.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 9 Following our renewed inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspectors met with the chair and another member of the proprietor body and the 2 co-headteachers. The inspectors conducted a tour of the proposed site to check the suitability of the premises. They scrutinised a wide range of documentation, including policies, curriculum plans and assessment information. They also considered a wide range of documentation relating to health and safety, including a sample of the proposed school’s risk assessments and checked the arrangements for safeguarding and staff recruitment, including the SCR.

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About this inspection

This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the proposed school:

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About this inspection

It does not use any other alternative provision (AP).

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to provide full-time education for up to 32 pupils from 11 to 16 years old. The school will have a focus on the provision of education to pupils who have experienced anxiety-related non-attendance at school.

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About this inspection

The school is proposing to be a special school providing for pupils with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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About this inspection

The proposed school has been operating as a part-time AP for 6 pupils since 2 June 2026. Pupils accessed 15 hours of provision each week until the end of the summer term. At the time of the inspection, the summer term had finished so no teaching was observed.

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Team inspector

Claire Stylianides His Majesty’s Inspector

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Chair of the proprietor body

Venture Independent School Ltd Oliver Johnson Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 10 Co-headteachers Ben Johnson and Martyn Housley-Smith Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 32

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compulsory school age on roll

Provider’s current position: 0 Provider’s proposal: 32

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compulsory school age on roll

Provider’s current position: 6 Provider’s proposal: 0

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disabilities on roll

Provider’s current position: 6 Provider’s proposal: 32

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authority

Provider’s current position: 6 Provider’s proposal: 32

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s current position: 14 to 16 Provider’s proposal: 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Provider’s current position: Mixed Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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per week

Provider’s current position: 15 Provider’s proposal: 23.5

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per week

Provider’s current position: 15 Provider’s proposal: 23.5

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teaching staff

Provider’s current position: 4 Provider’s proposal: 14 Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s current position: 0 Provider’s proposal: 0

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Annual fees for day pupils £60,000

Email address enquiries@ventureindependentschool.co .uk Venture Independent School, 22 July 2026 11 providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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Annual fees for day pupils £60,000

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Annual fees for day pupils £60,000

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Annual fees for day pupils £60,000

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Annual fees for day pupils £60,000

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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