Plans for a new school have been welcomed as a 'helping hand' in a Nottinghamshire town. An office building on Victoria Road, Netherfield, could become an independent school for children who have either been excluded, or are at risk of being excluded from their current school, if fresh plans are approved.
Venture Learning currently have one 15 space school on Forester Street, elsewhere in Netherfield, with the new school proposed to provide 20 places to meet the growing for places in independent Schools. The school aims to help pupils transition back into mainstream education.
Locals welcomed the prospective change of use to the building. Teresa Moore, 52, a Morrisons worker from Netherfield, said: "I think that's a good idea if kids do need the help. At the end of the day people need a helping hand sometimes.
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"It is such a sad thing that there is so much demand. I think because of Covid and money worries some kids have been left behind - I cannot see any problems with this new school."
Jack Beeby, 94, and John Potter, 90, from Netherfield, thought the new school would be a good use of space, but hoped it would planned in a way which would not affect parking. "I think that would be a good use of the building. You want children to be helped as much as possible while they are growing up," Mr Beeby said.
Mr Potter added: "I think that's fine, I doubt it will cause much trouble and it sounds needed. As long as it doesn't make parking any worse at drop off times I'm sure it will be alright."
Five members of staff would be stationed at the school. The premises has seven dedicated parking spaces for staff, with the school stating pupils would walk, use public transport, or be dropped off by parents.
Retired Andrew Moss, 61, from Netherfield, said: "There's probably a lot of demand for it here. I can't see any real problems, I think it will be really useful in this area."
Richard Jones, 46, from Carlton, said: "Schools are under pressure all the time, my partner works in a school and they are always saying how they need help. This could help by giving the kids that need it specialist care.
"It all helps really, we don't have enough of any sort of school places. I would have thought the demand would be increased by the new housing developments too [Rivendell]."
In a planning document, applicant and headteacher Rhys Griffiths, said: "Our main aim is to work with the students, their families, schools and other external agencies to support them in trying to transition back into mainstream education. Our track record has seen us successfully transition a number of students back to their school or new mainstream setting.
"Our staff are highly qualified and dedicated to improving the life chances for the young people that attend, by delivering well planned and engaging lessons. Our attendance record for the previous academic year was 84 per cent, which shows that students enjoy coming to school and are making progress both socially and academically.
"Opening a second provision will allow us to offer more places for students that are without appropriate educational provision." The planning application is pending consideration by Gedling Borough Council.
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