Portland Academy is a happy school, where pupils and staff flourish. Pupils’ education is mapped out meticulously by highly skilled professionals. Staff pay close attention to the targets set in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans. They use these plans to provide pupils with a highly considered and personalised educational experience. Pupils achieve exceptionally well in this safe and nurturing environment. Pupils excel in their personal development. Staff expertly match teaching to pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils become increasingly confident, resilient and independent over time. Warm and respectful relationships underpin the school’s thriving culture. Pupils show great empathy for one another and prompt friends if they struggle to communicate. Pupils also patiently wait while others take their turn. Staff deliberately teach and model these important social skills. This impacts strongly on pupils’ well-being throughout the school. Pupils’ preparation for adulthood begins from Year 7 onwards. Pupils learn to interact with others in a range of different situations. Students in the sixth form experience an excellent and diverse work experience programme. If they are not ready to access the community, there are opportunities within school. For example, pupils work in the school café. They also run a second-hand clothing shop called ‘Port Mall’.