Portland Academy
| Type | Special School / Academy special converter |
| Age Range | 11-19 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Weymouth Road Chapelgarth Sunderland Tyne and Wear SR3 2NQ |
| Phone | 03339991455 |
| Reference Number | 138526 |
Portland Academy has shown significant improvement since its last inspection, now achieving a overall effectiveness rating of good. The school prides itself on fostering an environment where pupils feel safe and valued, exemplified by their outstanding behaviour and positive attitudes towards learning. With a well-developed curriculum that engages students and a strong emphasis on personal development, the academy prepares pupils effectively for future work opportunities and adult life. Parents express satisfaction with the school's commitment to their child's education and well-being, highlighting the nurturing atmosphere that allows students to thrive.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 208 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 65.87%
Girls: 34.13% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 63.7% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 11.1% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 17 | 7 | 24 |
| 8 | 26 | 9 | 35 |
| 9 | 20 | 12 | 32 |
| 10 | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| 11 | 15 | 5 | 20 |
| 12 | 12 | 11 | 23 |
| 13 | 15 | 6 | 21 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 81.7% |
| Asian, Other | 3.4% |
| Chinese | 2.9% |
| White, Other | 2.4% |
| Mixed, Other | 1.4% |
| Pakistani | 1.4% |
| White & Asian | 1% |
| Indian | 1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Outstanding |
| > Personal Development | Outstanding |
| > Leadership & Management | Outstanding |
| > Sixth Form Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 26 Nov 2019 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 18 Feb 2025 | School inspection |
| 26 Nov 2019 | School inspection: |
| 17 Dec 2018 | Monitoring visit |
| 21 Jun 2017 | Full inspection: |
| 24 Apr 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 21 Jan 2015 | Full inspection: |
| 04 Sep 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 12 Jan 2012 | Full inspection: |
| Previously as Portland College | |
| 12 Jan 2012 | Full inspection: |
| 16 Jun 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 16 Jun 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Mar 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Mar 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 12 Jun 2000 | Full inspection |
| 12 Jun 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour and a strong enthusiasm for learning.
- The school provides high-quality careers advice and work experience opportunities.
- The curriculum is well-structured and tailored to individual pupil needs.
- Outstanding personal development of pupils through various enriching experiences.
- Effective safeguarding measures and a dedicated staff team.
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils lack confidence and fluency in reading.
- Professional development for classroom support staff's subject knowledge needs improvement.
Destinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | |
| > Further Education | |
| > School Sixth Form | |
| > Sixth Form College | |
| > Other Education | |
| Apprenticeships | |
| Employment | |
| Not in education or employment | |
| Unknown |
| Name | Distance |
|
Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy
Marcross Drive, Moorside, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 2RE |
0.38 miles |
|
Mill Hill Nursery School
Torphin Hill Drive, Sunderland, SR3 2PJ |
0.53 miles |
|
Mill Hill Primary School
Torphin Hill Drive, Sunderland, SR3 2PJ |
0.54 miles |
|
East Herrington Primary Academy
Balmoral Terrace, East Herrington, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 3PR |
1.07 miles |
|
New Silksworth Academy Infant
Blind Lane, New Silksworth, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 1AS |
1.1 miles |
|
New Silksworth Academy Junior
Blind Lane, New Silksworth, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 1AS |
1.1 miles |
|
Farringdon Academy
Archer Road, Farringdon, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 3DJ |
1.11 miles |
|
St Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth
Tunstall Village Road, Silksworth, Sunderland, SR3 2BB |
1.13 miles |
|
Hasting Hill Academy
Tilbury Road, Sunderland, Bexhill Academy, Sunderland, SR3 4LY |
1.47 miles |
|
Thorney Close Primary School
Torquay Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 4BB |
1.55 miles |
|
Sunningdale School
Doxford Park Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 2PP |
1.83 miles |
|
Plains Farm Academy
Tudor Grove, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 1SU |
1.85 miles |
|
St Paul's CofE Primary School
Waterworks Road, Ryhope, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0LW |
1.94 miles |
|
Ryhope Junior School
Shaftesbury Avenue, Ryhope, Ryhope Junior School, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0RT |
1.96 miles |
|
Ryhope Infant School Academy
Shaftesbury Avenue, Ryhope, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0RT |
1.96 miles |
|
Hill View Infant Academy
Helvellyn Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 9JJ |
2.06 miles |
|
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Ryhope
Smith Street, Ryhope, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0RQ |
2.08 miles |
|
St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Grindon Lane, Grindon, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR4 8HP |
2.17 miles |
|
Grindon Infant School
Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR4 9QN |
2.19 miles |
|
Gillas Lane Primary Academy
Seaton Avenue, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 8EH |
2.23 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Farringdon Community Academy
Allendale Road, Sunderland, SR3 3EL |
0.88 miles |
|
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy
Tunstall Bank, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0SX |
1.44 miles |
|
Sandhill View Academy
Grindon Lane, Thorney Close, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 4EN |
1.88 miles |
|
Thornhill Park School
Portland Road, Plains Farm, Sunderland, SR3 1SS |
1.9 miles |
|
City of Sunderland College
Bede Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 4AH |
2.14 miles |
|
Hopespring Sunderland
10 Sea View Road West, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 9HA |
2.33 miles |
|
Barbara Priestman Academy
Meadowside, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7QN |
2.44 miles |
|
St Aidan's Catholic Academy
Willowbank Road, Ashbrooke, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7HJ |
2.45 miles |
|
Christ's College
Pennywell Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR4 8PG |
2.49 miles |
|
Seaham High School
Station Road, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 0BH |
2.57 miles |
|
Southmoor Academy
Ryhope Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7TF |
2.58 miles |
|
The Poplars
Miners Lodge, Market Crescent, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 7AP |
2.62 miles |
|
Thornhill Academy
Thornholme Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7NA |
2.66 miles |
|
Academy 360
Portsmouth Road, Sunderland, SR4 9BA |
2.68 miles |
|
Kepier
Dairy Lane, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 5BH |
2.7 miles |
|
Ashbrooke School
Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7JA |
2.71 miles |
|
Argyle House School
19-20 Thornhill Park, Sunderland, SR2 7LA |
2.76 miles |
|
St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy
Thornhill Terrace, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7JN |
2.88 miles |
|
Hetton Academy
North Road, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 9JZ |
3.47 miles |
|
Castle View Enterprise Academy
Cartwright Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 3DX |
4.09 miles |