Portland College

read moreWe strive to develop every learner's unimagined potential with a personalised programme. For those learners attending the Portland College campus in Sherwood Forest, such a programme can include work experience and volunteering. The personal curriculum is underpinned by a broad range of accredited qualifications in independence, literacy, numeracy, sport, arts, business studies, computing, small animal care and horticulture. Portland College is also dedicated to working with Employers to help them develop a more inclusive approach to recruitment and workforce development.

read moreThe programme is run over 4 weeks where you will meet amazing new people, form friendships, gain life skills, challenge yourself and prepare yourself for work. A typical programme will start with a four night stay at an outward bound centre where you will be encouraged to work as part of a team and challenge yourself with different activities, such as abseiling, rock climbing and building campfires. Phase 2 is a further four night stay at a local residential centre where you will further develop new skills and gain a broader understanding of your local community whilst working with the people you have formed friendships with.

read moreWe know it's a big step to take to move into further education, so come and have a look for yourself on one of our regular tours of the College. You will be taken on a tour of the campus and get the chance to find out about all aspects of College life. See the fantastic facilities Portland has to offer, speak to members of staff about courses and available support and find out about the next steps to applying for a place. Please contact our admissions team on 01623 499186 or email admissions@portland.ac.uk to book a tour of Portland College.

read moreThere is something for everyone at Portland, if you are aged 16-25 and are looking for an education placement for when you leave school, then our individualised study programmes may be what you need. Or if you are out of work and looking for some training and employment support, then the Pathways programme may be just the thing for you. The College also offers a National Citizen Service (NCS) programme for young people aged 16 - 17, where you will meet amazing new people, form friendships, gain life skills, challenge yourself and prepare yourself for work.

read moreAt Portland College we offer breaks for people with physical and learning disabilities. Portland Freedom has been designed to meet your specific individual requirements, and our Portland Freedom team are here to help you. As programmes are based on the College campus, Freedom 'Citizens' have the opportunity to socialise and interact with College learners throughout day-to-day life along with mealtimes in the College dining room and Friday evenings in the on-site bar. Portland Freedom has been split into three different areas, each with a range of bespoke and structured schedules.

read moreMost sport sessions take a different format to a regular PE class and what you would expect to find in a school environment. There is more emphasis on health and safety, use of specialist equipment and the importance of coming to session dressed appropriately. Sessions take the format of a warm up, a main game followed by a cool down. The aim is to build learners' confidence and empower them enough to enable them to take on major roles in the sessions such as leading a series of stretching exercises or officiating the main game.

read moreYou could provide valuable assistance in the classroom or enhance the lives of learners during leisure time by working within the grounds or horticulture. You could serve in our Woodland Cafe which makes a significant contribution to our fundraising. Portland College is keen to engage volunteers with a wide range of skills to help us manage events and fundraising activities. Whether it is project management, managing a team of fundraising volunteers in a locality or helping to publicise online, we can benefit from your skills.

read moreFor more information about the types of volunteering opportunities available at Portland College, and how to get involved please email us. As well as being a national residential specialist College for people with physical and learning disabilities, Portland College is also a Registered Charity (Registered No. 214339). There are multiple ways to support the Portland College charity through direct giving and different types of donation arrangements. More information can be found on these on our fundraising page.