Portland College is a vibrant national college for people with a wide range of disabilities.We strive to develop every learner’s unimagined potential with a personalised programme that 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.
The college was founded by Winifred, Duchess of Portland (1863-1954) who had nursed injured veterans in her home at Welbeck Abbey during the First World War and was responsible for many acts of charity connected with miners’ welfare in the area. Her experiences in supporting injured veterans and miners led to the creation of Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital in 1929.The Second World War and the 1944 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act gave further impetus to this project and by 1946 a Committee was established to develop the plan and raise the necessary money. With a gift of land from the Duke of Portland rapid progress was made and on the 29th June 1949 Princess Elizabeth laid the foundation stone of the College which opened for business on 24th July 1950. In 1974 Her Majesty the Queen became our Patron, cementing her association with the College throughout its life.
