Education the Grows Outdoors
We’re delighted to share the launch of Venturewood, the new name for the Petty Pool Trust’s outdoor education provision, formerly known as Petty Pool Outdoor Education Centre. This rebrand reflects our continued growth and the expansion of our outdoor learning offer, including an exciting new location at Forestry England’s Delamere Forest.
At our Sandiway site, set within 40 acres of Cheshire woodland, our outdoor education centre has over 20 years’ experience delivering safe, high-quality outdoor learning for day visits and residentials. We offer a wide range of inclusive activities for all ages and abilities, including wall climbing, abseiling, canoeing, problem solving, and team building. Over the past year alone, we’ve delivered 34 day courses, engaging 734 children, alongside 72 residential programmes supporting 1,533 children and young adults.
Introducing Venturewood
Venturewood brings together decades of our expertise in outdoor education under a new name and identity. The rebrand follows our recent appointment as outdoor learning partner at Delamere Forest, working in partnership with Forestry England, and reflects our expansion into this new woodland setting alongside our established Sandiway base.
While the brand is new, Venturewood remains a key part of The Petty Pool Trust family. To us, Venturewood captures what outdoor learning is all about: inclusive adventure, trying new things in a safe and supportive environment, and personal growth through challenge. The name is new, but our people, values and commitment remain exactly the same.
Venturewood at Petty Pool will continue to deliver the same high-quality outdoor education, including school residentials and day visits, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes, partnerships with The King’s Trust and The Joshua Tree, and activities supporting the wider community.
Venturewood at Delamere Forest, delivered in partnership with Forestry England, will run from an on-site classroom near the Visitor Centre, with sessions taking place across three dedicated woodland sites just a short walk away. Activities will include forest school, workshops, holiday clubs, home education, birthday parties, and educational sessions for all age groups. Bookings for our Delamere Forest site are now open.
We see every day how powerful outdoor learning can be. Research by Natural England and The Institute for Outdoor Learning shows that time spent in nature improves mental health, builds resilience, and deepens engagement – and we see that impact first-hand in the young people and groups we work with.
“At Petty Pool, we see this first-hand as young people leave with increased motivation, stronger teamwork skills, and a greater connection to the environment. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and our outdoor education offer is designed to ensure every participant, regardless of ability, mobility, or additional needs can access and enjoy high-quality outdoor learning experiences.” Sally Garratt, Petty Pool CEO.
Venturewood sits within The Petty Pool Trust family, also including Petty Pool College, Petty Pool in the Community, Autism Practical Support, and The Ground Up Project.
Find out more about the Petty Pool Trust here.