For schools of similar names, see Portland School. Portland School was a specialist Science College situated in Worksop, United Kingdom. The headteacher upon closing was Elaine Hamilton. The original school buildings were situated on Sparken Hill Worksop, and were built for when the school opened in 1956. The current school building, which is situated on Netherton road, was built in 2007. Portland School was in special measures, as it had an inadequate from OFSTED after an inspection in March 2010, before its closure.
Early history
Technical school
The Winifred Portland County Secondary Technical School opened in September 1956. Previous to that there had been a Secondary Technical School separate from but within the Technical College on Blyth Road. The staff and pupils transferred to Winifred Portland when it opened. The school then became the Winifred Portland Technical Grammar school until it was renamed Portland Comprehensive and merged with both the Central and Priory Secondary Schools
In 1970 Worksop's secondary schools became comprehensive - The Hartland School and Portland Comprehensive School.
Merger with Hartland
In late 2003 the decision was made to merge the school with the Hartland secondary school which was north and next door to Portland school. This merger happened in 2004 though not without concerns by some parents . The merge with the Hartland site created a site with: three canteens, two science blocks, two assembly halls, three outdoor sports courts including two large barn buildings, three fields including one large field equivalent to 9 football pitches.
Move to new site
Building of the new school site began in early 2006 with a contract between , and . The work was completed in time for students to move in after the Christmas break, in early 2008. The former site was demolished soon after in mid 2008. The new school facilities include: one canteen, one large assembly hall with seating for 300 persons, three outdoor sports spaces including a floodlit Astroturf, a MUGA, and a large field, two indoor sports halls, and a small gym room with weights, running and rowing machines. The building was smaller than the cumulative size of the former Portland buildings and surrounding walkways
Further education
On 3 September 2008 Worksop Post-16 Centre opened as a consolidated site for further education in Worksop. The centre is situated on Valley Road, adjacent to Valley School. Courses consist primarily of A-levels across a range of art, humanity and science subjects.
Academic performance
Portland School had often achieved GCSE results below the national average. The School achieved its highest GCSE results ever in 2011.
Closure
On 20 July 2011 the school officially closed to become part of the Outwood Grange of Schools and became Outwood Academy Portland upon reopening for the new school term.
