Portland School (Worksop)

For schools of similar names, see Portland School

Portland School
Motto "Achieving Success Aiming for Excellence"
Established 1956 (redeveloped 2007)
Closed 20 July 2011
Type Specialist Science College
Principal Dr Philip Smith
Location Sparken Hill
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
S80 1AW
England Coordinates: 53°17′42″N 1°07′00″W / 53.295042°N 1.116765°W
Local authority Nottinghamshire
Students 1597
Gender Coeducational
Ages 11–16
Houses Welbeck, Sherwood, Clumber and Rufford.
Colours Navy Blue, Maroon, Gold
Website Outwood Academy Portland Website

Portland School was a specialist Science College situated in Worksop, United Kingdom.

The headteacher upon closing was Elaine Hamilton. The original school buildings were situated on Sparken Hill Worksop, and were built for when the school opened in 1956. The current school building, which is situated on Netherton road, was built in 2007. Portland School was in special measures as it had an inadequate report from OFSTED after an inspection in March 2010 before its closure.

Early history

Technical school

The Winifred Portland County Secondary Technical School opened in September 1956.

Grammar school

Henry Hartland Grammar School opened in 1962, being officially opened on 21 June 1963 by Eric James, Baron James of Rusholme.

Comprehensive schools

In 1970 Worksop's secondary schools became comprehensive - The Hartland School and Portland Comprehensive School.

Merger with Hartland

In late 2003 the decision was made to merge the school with the Hartland secondary school which was north and next door to Portland school. This merger happened in 2004 though not without concerns by some parents . The merge with the Hartland site created a site with: three canteens, two science blocks, two assembly halls, three outdoor sports courts including two large barn buildings, three fields including one large field equivalent to 9 football pitches.

Move to new site

Building of the new school site began in early 2006 with a contract between Nottinghamshire County Council, and Transform Schools. The work was completed in time for students to move in after the Christmas break, in early 2008. The former site was demolished soon after in mid 2008. The new school facilities include: one canteen, one large assembly hall with seating for 300 persons, three outdoor sports spaces including a floodlit Astroturf, a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), and a large field, two indoor sports halls, and a small gym room with weights, running and rowing machines. The building was smaller than the cumulative size of the former Portland buildings and surrounding walkways

Post 16

On 3 September 2008 the Post 16 Centre opened as the new 6th form that was in place before. The building is across the road from Valley School. The Post 16 is an alternative to college and consolidates all sixth form students from Worksop into one learning environment.

Academic performance

Portland School had often achieved GCSE results below the national average. The School achieved its highest GCSE results ever in 2011.

Closure

On 20 July 2011 the school officially closed to become part of the Outwood Grange of Schools and became Outwood Academy Portland upon reopening for the new school term. At closure all the existing students were presented with a commemorative Parker Pen.

Alumni

Henry Hartland Grammar School

Portland Comprehensive School

External links