About Us - Pollyteach

Who we are

We are a safe and happy independent school, based in the heart of Sherwood Forest as part of Portland College. We have expertise in engaging neurodivergent children aged 8-16 (e.g. those with autism, ADHD or Pathological Demand Avoidance) and those with high anxiety (often labelled as anxiety-based school refusal) to come into school and to return to learning.

We understand that everyone learns in a different way, and we focus on ensuring students engage with and enjoy their school journey. Our approach puts student’s individual needs, interests and learning styles at the core of their education programme, with access to therapeutic, mental health and positive behaviour support and a range of fun enrichment activities including an accredited Forest School.

Our friendly, experienced team build strong relationships with students and their families, so together we can support our young people to achieve their goals, their way.

What we do

Our Independent School provides full-time placements, with students following a person-centred education programme 5 days a week. We can also support a reduced timetable where necessary.

Graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted, and ‘Outstanding’ for Personal Development, we are proud of our provision and the wonderful things our students and staff achieve every day.

We keep group sizes small (no more than 5), carefully balancing groups to ensure everyone can thrive in a calm, positive and productive setting.

We offer core national curriculum subjects to GCSE level, but with a very flexible timetable.

Based at Portland College’s Sherwood Forest campus we create relaxed, flexible learning spaces, removing the formality of a typical classroom setting that can be a barrier to learning.

Our Alternative Provision supports students on a short or longer-term basis depending on their needs, and we work with the referring school, the student and their family to tailor a programme that supports their personal and education outcomes and qualification goals.

Students on the Alternative Provision route may be based at our Sherwood Forest or Blidworth sites, and all students will have access to our Sherwood Forest facilities.

Students can study a range of qualifications and may choose a Supported Work Placement to support their future careers goals. We support leaving students to plan their transition from Pollyteach to their next destination, and in 2025 100% of year 11 students transitioned into positive post-16 destinations.

Portland Charity

Pollyteach became part of the Portland Charity Group in 2020, which enables our students to benefit from a sensory-rich woodland campus with an excellent range of facilities.

Portland Charity’s vision is that all people with disabilities will have a lifetime of opportunity.

Opened in 1950, at the Mansfield Campus, Portland delivers a range of programmes to inspire and empower people with disabilities to live more independent, fulfilling lives:

Portland College – An Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Independent Specialist College with day and residential provision, for people with disabilities aged 18-25 with an Education Health and Care Plan. Portland holds Advanced Accreditation status from the National Autistic Society.
Portland Freedom – A ‘CQC’ Good registered care provision offering Day Service, Short Breaks, Independent Living and our FE Residential provision.
Portland Pathways – A mental health and employability service for people with disabilities and / or mental health challenges, with hubs across Nottinghamshire.
Pollyteach – An Ofsted ‘Good’ independent school for children aged 8-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges, with an Alternative Provision offer for children who benefit from a tailored learning experience.
Jump Start – An alternative provision offer which provides a blended approach to secondary education for children aged 11-16 in mainstream schools, specialist provisions or between placements.