Portland College
 |
|
| Established | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Type | Further Education for the Disabled |
| Principal | Dr Mark Dale BA PhD |
| Chairman | Hugh Matheson |
| Location |
Nottingham Road Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 4TJ England Coordinates: 53°06′20″N 1°10′47″W / 53.1055°N 1.1797°W |
| Local authority | Nottinghamshire |
| DfE URN | 131959 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 270 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 16–60 |
| Website | www |
Portland College is an education establishment near Ravenshead in Nottinghamshire. It is situated in 20 acres (81,000 m2) of Sherwood Forest approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the town of Mansfield. Portland College has around 270 students aged between 16 and 60.
The college was originally established as institution for the training for men who had been disabled through war injuries and for miners injured or made ill through working in that industry. The college was founded in 1949. The college's early development owed much to the energy, enthusiasm and vision of Winifred, Duchess of Portland. The Duchess had been inspired to act after regular visits to Harlow Wood Hospital near Mansfield in the 1940s. She shared a vision along with Doctor Alan Malkin an orthopaedic surgeon, to provide provision for the hope of retraining and re-employment of the patients after they had recovered and left the hospital. In 1947 the Duke of Portland had transferred 15 acres (61,000 m2) of his land in Sherwood Forest to the Duchess's Charity through a deed of gift and a further 5 acres (20,000 m2) had been purchased for the sighting of the new college. Along with these moves a Workers Contributory Fund had been established which encouraged local Nottinghamshire employees to contribute one penny a week towards the £100,000 estimated to open the college. By 1948 some 17,000 workers had agreed to take part in the scheme and by 1949 a total of 20,000 workers were in the scheme. By the end of the year £90,000 had been raised and the Foundation stone had been laid by the then Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.
The Architect of Portland College was Commander Thomas Cartwright. The buildings were designed with the needs of disabled people in mind. There were no stairs in the student areas, all doors were made wide enough for wheelchairs, and bathrooms and bedrooms were fitted with aids and adaptations. By early 1950 two accommodation blocks, a dining halll, workshops and the boiler house had been completed. Staff for the college had been recruited and in June 1950 the college opened its doors to its first students. On 24 July 1950 Her Majesty The Queen officially opened Portland College.
...
Wikipedia