Outwood Academy Portland Review 2026: Academic Ambition in the Heart of Worksop

Outwood Academy Portland serves the town of Worksop as a large, mixed-ability secondary school and sixth form, operating as part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust. The school occupies a modern, spacious campus on Netherton Road, having undergone significant redevelopment to provide industry-standard facilities for its 1,720 students.

Under the leadership of Principal Danielle Sheehan, who has been in post since 2021, the academy has maintained a reputation for rigorous discipline and academic focus. Following a two-day inspection in September 2024, the school was rated Good in all areas under the new Ofsted framework, which no longer provides a single overall grade. Inspectors praised the calm, purposeful environment and the strong moral purpose shown by leaders. Recent results place the school in the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band), outperforming many local alternatives. With nearly two applications for every available place in the most recent intake, it remains a highly sought-after choice for families across North Nottinghamshire.

The atmosphere at Outwood Academy Portland is defined by a high-expectations culture that the trust calls "Students First." From the moment the gates open, there is a visible emphasis on order and readiness. Students wear a traditional uniform of black blazers with purple piping, reflecting the academy's branding and a sense of shared identity.

The physical environment is clean, bright, and purposefully designed to minimize distraction. Corridors are wide, and classrooms are equipped with modern interactive technology. The school operates with a clear vertical mentoring system, where students from different year groups meet daily, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond individual peer groups. This structure is supported by the academy's Praising Stars system, which provides frequent, granular feedback to parents on student effort and progress.

In 2024, Outwood Academy Portland achieved a GCSE Attainment 8 score of 44.9. This performance indicates a solid academic standard that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Within the local context, the academy ranks 2nd among secondaries in Worksop for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), highlighting its status as a leading local provider.

The school's Progress 8 score of +0.01 suggests that students make progress in line with the England average from their various starting points. At post-16 level, the academy also sits within the middle 35% of England schools, ranking 1,565th in England. In 2024, 42.8% of A-level entries achieved A* to B grades, with 16.6% hitting the top A* or A marks. These results reflect a consistent ability to support students into higher education and professional pathways.

The curriculum at Portland is broad and academic, designed to ensure students are life-ready as well as exam-ready. In the lower years, there is a significant focus on core literacy and numeracy to provide a foundation for GCSE study. The academy encourages a high proportion of students to enter the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), with 21.9% achieving Grade 5 or above across these core subjects in 2024.

Teachers follow a consistent lesson structure used across the Outwood Trust, emphasizing retrieval practice and clear modeling. This provides a predictable environment for students, which is particularly beneficial for those who thrive on routine. Specialist teaching is a strength, particularly in the core subjects of English and Mathematics, where the academy often utilizes trust-wide expertise to enhance the local curriculum.

Where Students Go Next

For students completing their journey at Outwood Academy Portland, the pathways are diverse. Following the 2024 results, 48% of leavers progressed to university, while 24% entered direct employment. A further 7% secured apprenticeships, reflecting the school's efforts to link academic study with vocational opportunities.

University destinations for Portland students often include regional powerhouses such as the University of Sheffield, Nottingham Trent, and Sheffield Hallam. The academy provides structured support for UCAS applications and interview preparation, ensuring students are well-placed to secure their first-choice destinations.

Admissions are coordinated by Nottinghamshire County Council. The academy is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity within the Worksop area. For the most recent intake, there were 573 applications for 292 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.96.

This level of demand means that families living outside the immediate locality may find it challenging to secure a place. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of admission based on historical trends.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state school with no tuition fees. As an academy funded by the Department for Education, it is free for all students to attend.

Families should budget for associated costs, including the school uniform, which is available through authorized suppliers, and optional school trips. Financial support for these costs, as well as for the purchase of curriculum-related equipment, may be available for families eligible for the Pupil Premium or those facing significant financial hardship. Parents should contact the school finance office directly to discuss available bursaries or assistance schemes.

Pastoral care is organized through a Deep Support model. Each student belongs to a tutor group and is overseen by a Learning Manager who remains a consistent point of contact throughout their school career. This system ensures that every student is known individually, even within a large academy setting.

The latest inspection findings highlight that students feel safe and that the school’s focus on Restorative Practice helps manage behavior effectively. While the rules are strict, they are applied consistently, which students generally report as being fair and helpful for maintaining a calm learning environment.

The extracurricular life at Portland is anchored by the Outwood Enrichment programme. Students are encouraged to participate in at least one club per week to develop interests beyond their academic subjects.

STEM Excellence

The academy places a high value on STEM subjects, supported by modern laboratories and computing suites. Specific initiatives like the Robotics Club and participation in national Mathematics Challenges allow students to apply classroom theory to complex, real-world problems.

Other notable activities include a vibrant Performing Arts department, which stages annual productions in the academy's dedicated theatre space, and a competitive sports programme. The school’s facilities, including the large sports hall and floodlit courts, host regular fixtures in football, netball, and athletics.

The school day typically runs from 8:25am to 2:45pm, though many students remain on-site until 3:45pm for enrichment sessions. Transport links are good, with several local bus routes serving the Kilton area and bicycle storage available on-site for those living within walking or cycling distance.

• Strict Discipline Model: The academy follows the Outwood Trust's rigorous behavior policy. While this ensures a calm environment, the no excuses approach may feel overly structured for some students who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Oversubscribed Status: With 1.96 applications for every place, securing entry at Year 7 is competitive. Families should have a clear understanding of the local authority's admissions criteria before applying.
• Large School Scale: With over 1,700 students, the academy is large. While the vertical mentoring and house systems aim to create a smaller-school feel, students who find large crowds or busy environments overwhelming may take longer to adjust.

Outwood Academy Portland is a high-performing, well-disciplined school that provides a stable and ambitious environment for the young people of Worksop. Its results and facilities make it a strong competitor to local alternatives. Best suited to students who thrive in a structured environment and families who value clear, consistent academic expectations. The main challenge for prospective families is securing a place in an increasingly oversubscribed intake.