Admission & Attendance
Portland School and Specialist College caters for up to 140 children between the ages of six and sixteen with special educational needs associated with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties.
All pupils at Portland School and Specialist College have an Education Health and Care Plan. Pupils who require a place at Portland are identified by the Local Authority based on the outcome of their assessment of the pupils and their admission policy. Occasionally Portland will accept pupils on an assessment placement to support in identifying the more appropriate placement for the pupil.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Referrals for admission to Portland School and Specialist College come about from a pupil's Statement of Special Education Needs or Annual Review recommendation agreed by the Local Authority where Portland School is named.
- 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.
During this process parents and prospective pupils can make an appointment to visit Portland School and Specialist College to discuss the school and individual pupils SEN and curriculum needs. During this visit parents/families will be made welcome and we will answer any questions you may have.
Pupils are admitted to Portland throughout the school year, where places are available. To aid the transition, children, parents and the current school key worker are invited to visit the school together. We then work together to create a bespoke transition package of short sessions to introduce the pupil to the children and staff in their new class, alleviating any anxieties of moving school. Families will also be given a 'Parent Information Pack' to ensure they have all the information they require before starting at Portland.
On entrance to Portland School, pupils and families will be invited to attend a meeting which will discuss in detail all background history of the pupils.
Please contact the Local Authority's Special Educational Needs Team if you wish to discuss admission to our school. They 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.
Attendance
Attendance Policy 
