Whilst it is not possible to furnish community users with all the information they may need, more details are available from the school direct. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any queries.
Summary of SEN Policy
The School’s mission statement highlights the need to value, respect and to
promote optimum learning and our ethos supports equality of opportunity for all. We view each child as an individual in whom we aim to help develop, support and nurture progress, and endeavour to ensure that every individual within the school has the opportunity to develop their skills and level of independence following the most inclusive curriculum possible.
The School
Portland is a Secondary Special School, which caters for 140 children between the ages 11 - 19 years who experience severe learning difficulties. Some
students also have profound and multiple difficulties including complex medical needs. The school offers day provision on a co-educational basis. The modern facility is one of the key components of the recent SEN review undertaken by the Local Education Authority, it marked the start of a phase of building projects across the City which has enhanced facilities available within the special needs sector. There are a number of specially designed facilities and features to meet the needs of our secondary age group of pupils including a large Tertiary
Department for our sixth form students, spacious classrooms for Key Stage 3 and 4, specialist rooms for Drama, Information Technology, Art, Food Technology and a dedicated Library area. School also has a number of specialist rooms including the Information Technology Suite, Art Room and Food
Technology Rooms as well as Paramedical Rooms, Light Sensory, Sound and
Hydrotherapy Facilities. Sports Facilities include an all weather enclosed pitch, extensive recreational areas and a football pitch.
Portland school, situated in a prime location just off the A690, provides meeting, training and conference facilities. The school hosts a choice of auditoria, from the spacious Hall (150 seats) with optional staging facility, a wide range of air conditioned conference rooms for 2 - 70 delegates, and the latest computer, with media and film projection equipment with specialised technicians to operate if required.
We are aware of our responsibility to our existing and potential clients and have ensured that there is more than adequate disabled access and parking. Access for those who experience a physical disability is made easy with electronically operated main doors opening onto wide corridors, a lift to first floor and specifically designed bathroom and toileting facilities including ceiling mounted hoists. Consideration has also been taken of lighting and wall/floor finishes for the visually impaired.
Use of facilities
We aim to:
« Create a resource that is welcoming to all members of the local
community.
« Work in partnership with parents, pupils and members of the wider
community to encourage and actively promote life long learning.
« Communicate with representatives from as many elements in the
community as possible to discover needs and wishes.
We would welcome your views, suggestions and comments about how to best achieve our aims. Please return page 7 with any additional comments to Mrs J Chart at the address on the back page.
The Education Act 1986 placed the responsibility for running school premises outside normal school hours on the Governing Body. The Education Reform Act 1988 added two further requirements:
1. Any use of school premises outside of school hours should recognise the actual costs involved and the school be recompensed accordingly.
2. For a school to be deemed a community school all non school activities have to be under the control of the Governing Body.
It is important to ensure that out of hours use is cost effective. It is therefore at the discretion of the school Governing Body whether or not a letting is considered viable taking into account educational as well as financial criteria.
Programme planning for community involvement at Portland is managed and administered by the Head Teacher, Administration Manager, Site Manager and Administration Assistant.
Applications for permission to use premises and facilities at Portland School must be made to the Head Teacher. Application forms are obtainable from the school office and must be returned to the office for processing. Applications should be received at least fourteen days prior to the proposed date of use. It must not be assumed that an application has been granted until written permission has been obtained.
Please ensure that the application form is fully completed stating the name of the organisation, the exact facilities required, all dates and time of activities and the intended use. The form MUST be signed by the person responsible (and qualified where appropriate).
Please note that if facilities are used for a purpose different from that which they are hired then the Governing Body or any of its employees or agents (including the school Site Manager) may require that the entertainment, meeting or proceedings cease forthwith.
The school office will deal with applications for the use of any of the school facilities during weekday evenings and during the school day. In most circumstances an economic charge will be applied to those meetings, which are held for the object of profit. Generally these are public gatherings (except when proceeds are exclusively for school funds), private social occasions and fund raising activities, which are organised by self – programming groups.
The economic charge will reflect the school’s costs and applications received will be costed on an individual basis. School use will normally take precedence over those of private hirers and an organiser should be aware that a booking may be cancelled, to allow a special school function to take place.
Complaints Procedure
Arrangements are made by the Local Education Authority for dealing with
complaints in relation to conduct by the authority itself or by the Governing Body of any county or voluntary school in relation to matters connected with the school curriculum, including Religious Education, under the terms of section 23 of the Education Reform Act, 1988. The complaint must first go to the Head Teacher. If the complaint cannot be resolved it may be necessary for it to be considered by the Governing Body.
If the complaint is not resolved by the Governing Body it may be referred to City of Sunderland Education Authority, where it will be considered by councillors. If that fails, the complaint can be referred to the Secretary of State.
Note: - This procedure does not apply to complaints concerning student discipline or individual teachers.
The information in this booklet relates to the 2004 / 2005 school year commencing at the beginning of September 2004 and the particulars, which it contains, were correct in relation to that year, at April 2004. It must not be assumed that there will be no changes affecting the relevant arrangements or certain matters before the start of, or during the 2004/2005 school year or in respect of subsequent school years arising, for example, from variations in Education Committee policy and/or government legislation.
Security
We wish to ensure the safety of all who visit Portland. All clients have a
responsibility to ensure themselves, those around them and the property are
secure.
To achieve this clients needs to be vigilant and take appropriate steps including:-
Security is the responsibility of all clients. Clients are responsible for their own property. The school will not accept liability for any personal belongings, which might be lost, stolen or damaged. All school property should be kept in the appropriate place and valuable equipment locked away securely at the end of the day. It is important to maintain the security of the building and be vigilant concerning strangers. The school grounds are monitored by 24hr CCTV.
Accidents / Injuries
All accidents, injuries should be reported and logged on the LEA accident report form. Inform the group leader of any accident or incident so the appropriate
action can be taken.
Risk Assessment
Dealing with risk
If you discover any area of school that you consider poses a risk to staff, pupils or visitors - you should report this to Alan Cook, (Site Manager) or the group leader. If the risk cannot be dealt with immediately and poses a serious risk
action must be taken to minimise danger and Senior Management Team
informed. If the risk is moderate ensure it is reported to the group leader or Site Manager for appropriate action to be taken
Fire Alarm, Emergency Procedures
The Fire Alarm is indicated by an electronic sounder. If you discover a fire you should break the nearest Alarm glass. Familiarise yourself with the fire drill
instructions located in each room and corridor in school. In the event of the alarm sounding: Assemble your group and lead them quietly and calmly out of the nearest exit. Please ensure you are familiar with the fire drill - relevant
instructions are displayed in each room and corridor. The alarm is a loud
repetitive siren. Ensure everyone leaves the building by the nearest exit when the siren sounds.
Emergency Procedures
If you find a suspicious package left unattended in school or if you answer the telephone and receive a bomb warning; procedures are in place. Please make sure you are aware of what to do. The Administration Manager and Deputy Head Teacher both have guidelines for action to take. Advice is also posted next to the telephones in the Deputy Head’s room and a copy is available in the Health and Safety Policy in Main Reception.