Portland School, ST4 and ST11 (ages 4 - 16)

At Portland school we aim to give our young people the best possible start in life. We believe that to achieve their full potential young people need:

• The Literacy and Numeracy skills to function in a modern society
• The social skills to interact positively with others and make the best of their chances.
• The life skills to make good informed choices that impact positively on their lives.

Q.1  What kind of SEND does the school provide for?

As a Stoke on Trent Specialist Provision we have a designation of SEMH which stands for Social and Emotional Mental Health. SEMH is the primary need of the pupils who attend however some of our pupils may have a secondary need.

Q.2  How does this setting know if their children/young person needs extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

• All pupils who attend Portland Specialist provision will have an EHC (Education, Health and Care) plan. Some pupils may still have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. These are gradually being transferred over to EHC, usually when a child or young person is at a key stage transition.
• If you think that your child may have other needs they can be discussed with the school or at the Statement/EHC review meeting.
• The school has support from an allocated Educational Psychologist and CAMHS to enable the school to assess needs and provide appropriate support.

Q.3 How will the setting support my child/young person?

• All pupils are taught in small class sizes (usually 7 pupils) with a qualified teacher and specialist support staff.
• Some pupils will access a range of support which can include a bespoke package to meet their needs.
• Flexible learning packages are also used to provide personalised support often with a view to successful post 16 transition.
• A tailored curriculum is provided, which reflects the National Curriculum entitlement but in addition meets the individual needs of our children and young people.

Portland School is part of the Shaw Education Trust.

We have sites at Newcastle Road, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6NS and Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent ST11 9JG.

KS1 (age 5 - 7) pupils are based at the Trent Vale site, children from KS2 to KS4 (age 7 16) - are placed on both sites, according to specific need.