Venture Learning, Netherfield
Venture Learning is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Netherfield. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Venture Learning in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Venture Learning are Carlton Digby School (1.8 miles, Outstanding); Rosehill School (2.3 miles, Outstanding); Sutherland House School (2.8 miles, Good); and Endeavour Academy (4 miles).
Carlton Digby SchoolRosehill SchoolSutherland House SchoolEndeavour Academy
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Venture Learning (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (80%).
Who goes there
In 2026, 9 pupils (56.3%) received SEN support and 7 (43.8%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Carlton Rail Station, about 220 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).
19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Morris Street (nw-bound), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 173 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Nottinghamshire (101), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's July 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Venture Learning creates a calm, supportive environment where pupils with complex needs thrive. The school excels at understanding each child's individual needs - both educational and emotional - and putting personalised support in place that really works. Staff build strong relationships with pupils, helping them manage their behaviour and feelings while challenging them to do their best.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour and conduct - pupils are respectful and mature, with staff effectively helping them manage emotions and feelings
- Highly personalised education tailored to individual pupils' needs, including therapy and pastoral care
- Strong focus on building trusting relationships - pupils settle quickly and feel safe
- Ambitious curriculum with expert staff who use clear explanations and engage pupils effectively
- Rigorous safeguarding and compliance with all independent school standards
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils' reading fluency and comprehension skills are not yet secure enough - many pupils do not read confidently or independently
- Limited independent reading means pupils miss opportunities to increase their general knowledge and subject-specific understanding
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with rigorous safety checks for staff and detailed risk assessments in place.
Extracurricular Activities
Extra-curricular activities, careers programme
Venture Learning is a small independent special school that offers a calm, nurturing environment for pupils aged 11-16 with special educational needs. The school was rated Good overall, with Outstanding ratings for behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
10 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Venture Learning
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 23
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 23 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 19 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 2 on a bicycle.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
73%
Available places
16 pupils
22 places
6 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Netherfield
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Netherfield
Across Nottinghamshire council
Places available
9,842
Applications
9,200
Got 1st preference
92.5%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Nottinghamshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
9
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Venture Learning is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
16
Total Pupils
12
Boys
4
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Venture Learning
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Venture Learning
What is Venture Learning's Ofsted rating?
Venture Learning was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2025.
Does Venture Learning meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in July 2025, Venture Learning met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Venture Learning?
Venture Learning has around 16 pupils on roll.
Does Venture Learning have specialist SEN provision?
Venture Learning is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Venture Learning?
Venture Learning is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Venture Learning?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 23 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 19 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 2 on a bicycle. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Venture Learning?
Venture Learning is at 19A Forester Street, Netherfield, Netherfield, NG4 2LJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)