New independent SEMH school secures funding from Maven

Venture Independent School Limited, a newly established independent school focused on supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, has secured a six figure loan from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through appointed Fund Manager for the East and South East Midlands, Maven.

Venture Independent School has been established by Oliver Johnson and Stephen Brown, founders of JB’s Sports Coaching, a well-established education and sport services provider operating across Lincolnshire since 2009. JB’s Sports Coaching delivers a broad range of services, including primary school PE, swimming provision, holiday activities, training and community projects, engaging more than 18,000 participants each week across 80 partner schools.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II funding will support the launch of the new independent school that will provide specialist education for Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (“EHCPs”) or SEMH needs that prevent them from accessing mainstream education.

The investment will be used to fund the capital fit-out of the school premises, including safeguarding and Ofsted-required infrastructure, alongside recruiting teaching staff. The new school will be located in Wragby, Lincolnshire, an area with a recognised shortage of specialist SEMH provision. This reflects wider unmet demand across the county, with Lincolnshire County Council identifying a growing number of pupils requiring specialist education settings.

Venture Independent School will offer a structured, supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of SEMH pupils, drawing on the founders’ experience within the education sector and the specialist expertise of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) consultants supporting the project.

“There is a growing need for specialist SEMH provision locally, and we aim to create a school that provides a safe, supportive and structured environment where pupils can re-engage with learning. The support from Maven and Midlands Engine Investment Fund II is a key step in enabling us to progress towards welcoming our first students."

Oliver Johnson, Director of Venture Independent School

“Venture Independent School is addressing a clear and well-evidenced gap in specialist education provision across Lincolnshire. Oliver and Stephen bring a strong track record of delivering high-quality services within the education sector, and they are supported by experienced SEND professionals with deep knowledge of SEMH provision. This funding will support the creation of a specialist school designed to meet local authority demand and deliver positive outcomes for pupils who require a more tailored educational setting."

Paul Davis, Investment Manager at Maven

“It is great to see that through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, Venture Independent School will be able to launch an independent school that will provide specialist education to children who truly need it. ”

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank

The deal was introduced to Maven by Robbie Blair, Commercial Finance Partner at Tudor Commercial Finance.

This latest investment adds to a growing list of businesses backed by MEIF II - Debt Finance East and South East Midlands. To date, the Fund has backed a diverse range of businesses including, Doughnotts, an artisan manufacturer of fresh pastry donuts, TrulySMB, a technology business helping firms with Microsoft, Acres Insurance Brokers, a special agricultural insurance broker, Sleaford Building Services, mechanical, electrical and construction contractor, Lemon and Lime, a home staging business, TextureJet, a DeepTech firm, Sunset Commercial, a commercial brokerage business, and Vision4Sport, a sports hospitality specialist.

As Fund Manager of MEIF II - Debt Finance East and South East Midlands, Maven can provide business loans from £100,000 to £2 million to support both earlier and later stage businesses with real growth potential across a range of sectors. If your business, or the business you advise, is considering debt finance to support future growth please, click here.