Welcome to Portfield School

Celebrating individuality

Ofsted Report

Headteacher’s Welcome

Mission Statement

To enable every autistic student to achieve their full potential

Values

  • Respect
  • Challenge
  • Resilience
  • Teamwork

Welcome to Portfield School, an exceptional, specialist autism school where the individuality and strengths of every student are celebrated and nurtured.

I am so proud to be the Headteacher of such a unique and wonderful school, that is centred around the fulfilment of dreams for all of our students. We are ambitious and deeply committed to ensuring that they have a rich and creative school life; leaving school well-prepared to enjoy a fulfilling and successful future.

Regardless of age or development stage, the pursuit of happiness and students achieving their full potential shapes the curriculum that is offered at Portfield School.

Who we are

Portfield School is exceptional due to the staff team that support our students. It is their dedication, hard work, perseverance, and high expectations that allows the students to thrive and achieve. All staff demonstrate high levels of compassion and understanding that brings out the best in every student. Our flexible approach supports students with their additional needs whilst creating an individual pathway that challenges and supports them to be the best that they can be.

Our skilled team of teachers, teaching assistants and therapists work collaboratively to design a personalised learning programme, tailored to the needs, strengths and interests of every student.

Partnership working is central to the success of our students; we are committed to working with our families to support the progress and wellbeing of their child. Families have regular contact with the team at Portfield School who offer high levels of support and advice.

What we do

At Portfield School we are proud of a truly unique curriculum design, which is flexible, creative and tailored to the individual. The curriculum offer is holistic and enables the self-confidence, resilience and self-advocacy of the students to bloom as well as allowing the individual to achieve accredited qualifications. In addition to academic achievement, we build emotional wellbeing and resilience and develop the students’ social and independence skills.

Our holistic curriculum includes not only education, but also therapy, the development of skills for life, independence, and a focus on accessing the world of work through a highly tailored work experience programme.

At Portfield School, respect and equity underpin everything we do. We recognise the amazing attributes that each of our students have, and we support their continual development to enable everyone to thrive. Our students are encouraged to take on new challenges, engage in appropriate risk taking and apply the skills they have learnt to their whole lives.

Most importantly, we inspire our students, finding creative ways to navigate challenges and ensuring that they have the skills to be independent adults who can make meaningful choices and take an active role within their community.

Let us show you what we do – come and visit us at Portfield School!

Portfield School Reception shot

Hear from our students

Key information

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Term Dates

Spring Term 2023: Tuesday 3rd January - Friday 31st March 2023

  • Half Term Break: 13th February - 17th February 2023
  • Easter Holiday: 3rd April - 14th April 2023
  • Whole School Back: Monday 17th April 2023

Summer Term 2023: Monday 17th April - 28th July 2023

  • Half Term Break: 29th May - 9th June 2023
  • Whole School Back: Monday 12th June 2023

Autumn Term 2023: Friday 1st September - Friday 15th December

  • INSET DAY: 1st September 2023
  • Whole School Back: Monday 4th September 2023
  • Half Term: 23rd October - 3rd November 2023
  • Christmas Holiday: 18th December 2023 - 1st January 2024
  • Whole School Back: Tuesday 2nd January 2024

Bank Holidays 2023

  • Thursday 2nd June 2023: Spring Bank Holiday
  • Monday 29th August 2023: Summer Bank Holiday
  • Monday 25th December 2023: Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26th December 2023: Boxing Day

Spring Term 2024: Tuesday 2nd January - Friday 28th March 2024

  • Half Term Break: 12th February - 16th February 2024
  • Easter Holiday: 29th March - 12th April 2024
  • Whole School Back: Monday 15th April 2024

Summer Term 2024: Monday 15th April - 31st July 2024

  • Half Term Break: 27th May - 7th June 2024
  • Whole School Back: Monday 10th June 2024
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Contact us

Contact Name: Anna Hewitt

Address: Portfield School, Parley Lane, Christchurch, BH23 6BP.

You can call us on: 01202 573808 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Compulsory School Hours: 09:00 - 15:00 = (9-3, 5 days a week = 30 hours)

You can also arrange a visit with us by clicking on the contact us section in the dropdown menu.

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Admissions process

To be eligible for a place at Portfield School children require a diagnosis of autism and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) produced by a local authority. All places at Portfield School are commissioned by the local authority where the child is resident.

Any approach to apply for a place should be discussed with your local authority case worker.

Parents Portal

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Students Portal

We are launching our very own student portal. Watch this space for this exciting new development.