Portland Academy Report
Scottish Literacy ReportScottish Numeracy Report
Loading ...
Special schools provide a unique and distinctive educational environment to meet the needs of the pupils in their community. Undertaking standard tests may not be appropriate and we do not show performance data for special schools.
View exam results via the link below and contact the school to ask about measuring pupil progress.
Pupils are proud of their school. Their behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are enthusiastic about the different activities they do. They enjoy learning. They say that staff help them when needed. Staff celebrate when pupils have learned something new. Pupils understand the importance of being able to read well. They know it helps them undertake daily tasks with confidence. Pupils are ambitious about their future. They look forward to the chance to participate in work experience from Year 10 and into the sixth form. Pupils receive high-quality careers advice. Pupils say that work experience gives them the skills they need to get a job when they are an adult. Some pupils relish the opportunities to help younger pupils. Bullying is rare, and staff take swift action to resolve situations when they arise. Pupils understand the difference between bullying and falling out. They know that staff will help them to rebuild friendships. Parents are complimentary about the school. Parents say that their children are happy to be at school, they are well cared for and they feel safe. One parent said, ‘My child has blossomed in the school’s care.’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Leaders have developed a curriculum that interests and engages pupils. The curriculum focuses on helping pupils to develop the skills they need to communicate well with others. Teachers plan lessons to meet the needs of each pupil. Teachers ensure that pupils have individual targets for what they need to learn next. Pupils know what they need to do to improve. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. In English and mathematics lessons, teachers use assessment well to identify any gaps in pupils’ knowledge and understanding. Teachers support pupils who do not read fluently to catch up quickly. However, adults do not read aloud to pupils often enough. Pupils are not certain who their favourite authors are or which books they like to read. Staff have had some training to improve their subject knowledge in some areas of the curriculum. Leaders have identified that further development of classroom support staff’s subject knowledge is needed. Leaders have plans in place to provide this. Lessons are calm. Leaders and staff have put clear routines in place. These help pupils to manage their feelings and remain on task. Pupils are enthusiastic learners. They follow class routines, take turns and listen to each other. Pupils are resilient learners. They are willing to ‘have a go’, even when they get something wrong. Pupils are highly motivated and display high levels of concentration and interest in their work. Inspection report: Portland Academy 25–27 November 2019 2 The curriculum provides pupils with a wealth of rich experiences. This promotes their personal development exceptionally well. Pupils take part in visits to local areas of interest, and they learn about different cultures. There are regular visits to the local university and professional football club ground, where pupils use the sports facilities. Pupils carry out activities to help the community. For example, pupils have cleared overgrown areas and planted trees and spring-flowering bulbs at a local park. Pupils support charities, such as ‘red nose day,’ by organising fundraising events in school. They are proud of the work they have done and confidently take on leadership and team roles. Some pupils are enthusiastic about helping to improve the environment. They act as ‘switch off’ monitors. Their job is to check that lights and electrical equipment are off when not in use. The staff team’s focus on pupils’ physical and mental well-being is exemplary. Pupils learn yoga and relaxation techniques, play music, sing and dance. They use their skills to take part in school talent shows. There are residential trips where pupils develop their self-esteem and confidence. Pupils are keen to talk about their skiing trip to Italy. The sixth form curriculum prepares students well for adulthood and life beyond school. Leaders create a bespoke timetable to meet the needs of each student. Sixth-form students learn about the world of work. They also learn how to be healthy, how to develop their independence and how to be an active member in their community. Some of them help to run a community cafe with pupils from other schools. They learn how to serve customers, prepare food and drinks and handle money. Sixth-form students are successful in completing their studies and are well prepared for their next stage in employment, education or training.
We're here to help your school to add information for parents.
Thank you for registering your details
A member of the School Guide team will verify your details within 2 working days and provide further detailed instructions for setting up your School Noticeboard.
2015 GCSE RESULTSImportant information for parents
Due to number of reforms to GSCE reporting introduced by the government in 2014, such as the exclusion of iGCSE examination results, the official school performance data may not accurately report a school’s full results. For more information, please see About and refer to the section, ‘Why does a school show 0% on its GSCE data dial? In many affected cases, the Average Point Score will also display LOW SCORE as points for iGCSEs and resits are not included.
Schools can upload their full GCSE results by registering for a School Noticeboard. All school results data will be verified.
Write your review
Thank you for your review!
We respect your privacy and never share your email address with the reviewed school or any third parties.
Please see our T&Cs and Privacy Policy for details of how we treat registered emails with TLC.
Please click on the link in the confirmation email sent to you.
Your review is awaiting moderation and we will let you know when it is published.
Our Moderation Prefects aim to do this within 24 hours.
EMAIL SENT
Another email has been sent to
Unlock The Rest Of The Data Now
We've Helped 20 Million Parents
See All Official School Data
View Catchment Area Maps
Access 2024 League Tables
Read Real Parent Reviews
Unlock 2024 Star Ratings
Easily Choose Your #1 School
£19.95
Per month
Already have an account?
UNLOCK
Already have an account?
Log In
Okay, let's register to unlock School Guide
Just £19.95 per month
Cancel your subscription at any time