Outwood Academy Portland

History

Prior to its conversion, Portland School was in Special Measures (the lowest category for an Ofsted inspection). Following a massive investment of time, support and finance from the Local Authority, it had managed to achieve 41% 5A*-C including English and Maths, which was more than 10% below its target. However, this had been a great accomplishment as previously the school had spent several years achieving results that were in the teens. In Sept 2011 Outwood Grange Academies Trust began its journey with Portland School. The school was converted and became part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust and was renamed Outwood Academy Portland. In January 2012 Dr Philip Smith was appointed Principal. The transformation began immediately and by March 2012 Ofsted stated that the ethos of the school was so different they were going to remove the Special Measures category and grade the school as satisfactory. They commented on the orderly manner in which students behaved, the quality of teaching and learning that was now evident, and the belief students were starting to have in themselves. That year the school exceed its target (of 52%) for the first time and achieved 57% 5A*-C including English and maths. The academy continued to excel in all aspects, with results the following year reaching 75%. Ofsted re-visited the school in March 2014 and graded it as Outstanding in every area, with the 24-month change from Special Measures to Outstanding being recorded as the fastest ever turn-around for a secondary school. The following year results increased again, and Outwood Academy Portland was also awarded the regional winner for its provision for disadvantaged pupils. An award it was nominated for again in 2016 following a further increase in 5 A*-Cs up to 81%. This also resulted in the academy receiving a letter from Nick Gibb (MP) stating that the academy had been identified as being in the top-100 schools in England for: attainment of 5A*-Cs, greatest sustained improvement, and value added from KS2 to KS4.

Ofsted judgement

The academy has received a rating of "Outstanding", the highest rating, from Ofsted in its latest inspection in March 2014.

Reporting system

The progress of each student is monitored closely through the Praising Stars system of half-termly assessment, monitoring and intervention. As a commitment to parents the academy reports on every child’s progress every six weeks, giving accurate information for all subjects. The academy holds three parents’ evenings per year where all parents/carers have the opportunity to meet all subject teachers to discuss progress.

Behaviour and discipline system

The academy uses a system of escalating "consequences" as a framework for discipline, beginning with C1 and ranging through to C6 (exclusion). This has proven to be highly successful in altering negative behaviour patterns and providing students with full responsibility for their actions and any following outcomes.

Pastoral support

Students are members of mixed-age tutor groups known as a Vertical Mentor Groups (VMG) that meet on a daily basis. Each mentoring group has students from all 5 school years (7 to 11), which leads to the groups evolving over time, as older students leave and are replaced by younger students entering the school. An advantage of mixed age tutor groups is the increased sense of community, allowing for students to share experiences and foster understanding.

VMGs are each named after a country, and split into houses named after the continents Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Oceania.

Sixth form

Outwood Academy Portland shares a sixth form provision with Outwood Academy Valley. Marketed as Outwood Post 16 Centre, the sixth form was relocated to a new building across the road from Outwood Academy Valley in 2008. Although the sixth form centre is operated as a separate institution it is governed by both schools.