Portland Academy

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.

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.

In 2024–25 pupils at Portland Academy attended 90.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 23.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Portland Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Portland Academy had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Portland Academy had 207 pupils, 99.5% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Portland Academy received £26,006 and spent £25,122 for each of its 208 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £964,000 (£4,633 per pupil).

Across all 5 schools of The Ascent Academies' Trust, income was £23,705 and spending £23,261 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Sunderland · Sunderland local authority: places and applications

Portland Academy is part of The Ascent Academies' Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Barbara Priestman Academy Sunderland
• Hope Wood Academy Durham
• Ash Trees Academy Billingham
• Mowbray Academy Bedale
• Springwater Academy Harrogate

What is Portland Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Portland Academy is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was Portland Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Portland Academy was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does Portland Academy have?

Portland Academy has 207 pupils on roll.

What age range does Portland Academy cover?

Portland Academy for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Portland Academy?

Portland Academy is at Weymouth Road, Chapelgarth, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 2NQ.