Portland School is a specialist provision for pupils, aged 5-16, whose needs cannot be met within mainstream.  We are located in Trent Vale and Blythe Bridge and serve families across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

All pupils at Portland School have an Education Health and Care Plan associated with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. 

Children who require a place at Portland are identified by the Local Authority after an assessment of the pupils needs. Occasionally Portland will accept pupils on an assessment placement to support in identifying the more appropriate placement for the pupil.

 

Admission Arrangements

Referrals for admission to Portland School come from a pupil's Statement of Special Education Needs or Annual Review recommendation agreed by the Local Authority.

  • Decisions regarding naming a school on a statement is taken by the LA through its Statement Assessment Panel.
  • The Local Authority has the task of consulting parents throughout the process of naming Portland School on their child's statement.
  • Parents have the right to appeal to the SEN tribunal if they disagree with the proposals made by the LA.

Portland School has planned places for up to 140 pupils across both sites, however, this can vary slightly, year on year, depending on our capacity to meet the needs of our most complex learners.

We may have the capacity to admit pupils to one site, or a particular Key Stage, where the other site or Key Stage may be at full capacity.  This may mean, we have to decline a request for a placement, even though we have not met our overall capacity number.

We consider requests for places from the Local Authority and pupils are admitted to Portland School throughout the school year, where places are available. 

If you feel Portland School, may be the school to meet your child’s special educational needs, you can contact use for an informal discussion.  During this time, parents and prospective pupils can make an appointment to visit Portland School.  This can be arranged by contacting the school office on 01782 882020, option 1 for Blythe Bridge, option 2 for Trent Vale or on portland@portland.set.org

Please contact the Local Authority's Special Educational Needs Team if you wish to discuss admission to our school. Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority can be contacted by telephone on: 01782 236840

CLICK HERE to find out more details of how to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan and around admissions to Special Schools in Stoke on Trent.