Outwood Academy Portland

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The attainment and progress of students at the end of Key Stage 4 have improved dramatically. Teaching is of a consistently high quality.

All students are stretched and challenged by the work they are given. Resources chosen to support students' learning are interesting and stimulating, but some marking is not wholly effective in helping students to improve their work. The Principal and Executive Principal provide outstanding leadership.

They are ably supported by an exceptionally strong team both within the academy and through the highly effective overarching academy trust which maintains a consistent focus on the quality of teac...hing and pupils' achievement. Leaders at all levels take an active part in driving improvement in teaching and achievement to ensure high standards. Subject leadership is very strong.

The academy keeps its students safe and ensures that they are provided with the information they need to keep themselves safe. Students' attitudes to learning are exemplary and they show a spirit of enquiry and deep interest in learning. Students show consideration and courtesy to others.

Behaviour systems are consistently followed and understood by staff and students. Strategies to improve attendance have resulted in rapid improvement, although not all students and parents are yet persuaded of the value of the excellent education the academy provides. The courses that students follow give them considerable choice and provide an impressive range of opportunities for learning.

The sixth form is outstanding because teaching and an extensive range of course choices enable students to achieve their learning potential.

Information about this school

Outwood Academy Portland became a sponsor-led academy on 1 June 2012. It is part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust.

This is a larger than average-sized secondary school. Most students are White British. There is a smaller than national proportion of students from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is high compared nationally. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium (which, in this academy, provides additional funding for students in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free academy meals) is below average.

Sixth form provision is shared with Outwood Academy Valley, in the Worksop Post-16 Centre and with North Nottinghamshire College, which provides vocational courses for post-16 students. Virtually no students below sixth form age attend offsite alternative provision. Some vocational courses, such as motor mechanics and hair and beauty, are provided in house.

The academy provides vulnerable students with a learning environment outside mainstream classes for short periods of time. The academy meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. The senior leadership team is supported by the Outwood Grange Academies Trust which operates across several academies and has senior members who are National Leaders of Education.

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