Classpot

Atlantic Academy Portland

Dorset, DT5 2NASecondaryAges 4–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jan 2022
Progress 8
-0.74
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
69 1st-choice / 72 places
Ranking
#2,882
of 3,141 nationally

About Atlantic Academy Portland

Just over a fifth of parents who applied for a place at Atlantic Academy Portland for the 2025/26 academic year did not get their first choice, with the school receiving 87 applications for 72 places. That oversubscription ratio of 1.21 suggests a solid local reputation, though it is not among the most fiercely contested secondaries in Dorset. The school is a mixed, all-through state academy for pupils aged 4 to 16, with a capacity of 1,020 but currently home to 748 students, so there is room to grow. Headteacher Melissa Heppell leads a school that has undergone a significant turnaround since its last graded inspection in 2022, when Ofsted rated it Good across the board, including for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. That is a marked improvement from its previous inspection in 2016, when it was judged Inadequate overall.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range4 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressMaritime House, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2NA
HeadteacherMelissa Heppell
Local AuthorityDorset
Number of Pupils748
Free School Meals (FSM)33.8%
School Capacity748 / 1,020 (73% full)
Sixth FormYes

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

19 Jan 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 9 Mar 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Tennis CourtsArt StudiosTheatreSwimming PoolAstro TurfLibraryICT SuitePlaying FieldsMusic RoomsSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

HockeySwimmingGymnasticsRowingCross CountryRugbyAthletics

Clubs & Activities

NewspaperEco ClubScience ClubOrchestraDuke of EdinburghDramaDebateChessYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Atlantic Academy Portland

Atlantic Academy Portland has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.