Portland College

About the students

Situated in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, Portland College is an Ofsted Outstanding vibrant national college for people with a wide range of disabilities, and a centre of excellence for people with Autism with Advanced Accreditation from the National Autistic Society. Our individualised curriculum focuses on three core themes of Independence, Health and Well-being and Employability.

We operate from our main campus near Mansfield which is open to day and residential learners and our Nottingham City Campus which is open to day learners.

Catchment

We are a national residential college with learners coming to Portland from across the United Kingdom. Portland also has day learners who travel to us from the local area of the East Midlands. 

Curriculum

We teach personal progression to all learners, developing their communication and social skills. All learners have work experience opportunities and independence training suited to their ability level and interests.  

Depending on your interests you will access one of our vocational study programmes which focus on a wide variety of subjects; within that programme you will then be streamed on an individualised route depending on your assessed level. Functional skills Maths, English and ICT are embedded within a learner’s study programme through bespoke individualised approaches and targets as well as through discrete group sessions.

The Residential Learning Service offers learners a unique inclusive residential learning experience that connects classroom experience with residential life. Learners will enjoy all the usual advantages of living on campus in a residential area with the added benefit of living among a group that shares academic goals and interests.

Specialist facilities

Portland College offers all round support with superb teaching facilities including multi-sensory suites. Qualified tutors work with on-site speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and fully qualified care staff to deliver individual study programmes. 

Our fantastic woodland campus, with its farm, coffee shop, horticulture area, and enterprise units offers many in-house opportunities for personal development and 'real life' work experience. 

Portland College also has a triple award-winning, fully accessible forest adventure facility, Woodland Adventure Zone. Set amongst acres of pine trees within Sherwood Forest, it includes a 7m climbing tower, 90m zipline, bushcraft activities, archery, hand bike trail, woodland walks and much more. With access for wheelchair users and people with disabilities, the Woodland Adventure Zone provides an exciting experience for everyone.

Learners can become experienced sports people or develop their confidence on stage in our newly developed Newstart Theatre and Sports Hall. 

Other information

At Portland College our Residential Learning Service offers a unique, inclusive residential learning experience that connects the classroom experience with residential life.

As a residential learner you can enjoy the advantages of living on campus, with the added benefit of living among a peer group that shares your academic goals and interests. Portland College has two specialist offers available for residential learners; a full-time residential placement and a week-day boarding placement. While accessing the service you can either be full-time residential, or blend a number of services together that will link your learning experience with residential life.

Our Activities timetable includes a range of enrichment activities for learners and the wider community to get involved in, such as Performing Arts, Badminton, Boccia, Cooking and much more. We also offer a Friday Night Club Night for learners, citizens and community members.