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Atlantic Academy Portland Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Atlantic Academy Portland is an academy sponsor led special school in Portland, Dorset , serving pupils aged 4-16, with 748 pupils, and a capacity of 1020 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby special schools below.

4-16

Age range

748

Pupils

1,020

Capacity

73%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Atlantic Academy Portland Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Atlantic Academy Portland?

Atlantic Academy Portland is a special school in Portland, Dorset, and it does not use a standard catchment area. Dorset allocates places through each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) rather than home-to-school distance, so placement depends on assessed need rather than a geographic boundary.

Admission to Atlantic Academy Portland follows a different process from mainstream schools. Dorset assesses each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to determine appropriate placement. Catchment area does not apply in the same way as mainstream admissions.

For more information on how Dorset assesses EHCP placements and which schools are named, contact the council's SEND team directly. The council must publish its Local Offer explaining available provision.

Find Dorset catchment area documents →

Atlantic Academy Portland: 1020 places, 73% filled: places available

Atlantic Academy Portland has a published admission number of 1020 places. 748 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 73%. At 73% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1020 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 33.8% of pupils at Atlantic Academy Portland are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Dorset.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Atlantic Academy Portland: School Information

Full address
Maritime House, Southwell Park, Portland, DT5 2NA
Local authority
Dorset
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Special
Age range
4-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
33.8% of pupils
DfE URN
145119

Frequently Asked Questions: Atlantic Academy Portland

What is the catchment area for Atlantic Academy Portland?

Atlantic Academy Portland is a special school in Portland, Dorset, and it does not use a standard catchment area. Dorset allocates places through each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) rather than home-to-school distance, so placement depends on assessed need rather than a geographic boundary.

Is Atlantic Academy Portland oversubscribed?

Atlantic Academy Portland has a capacity of 1020 places and currently has 748 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Dorset.

What is the admissions policy for Atlantic Academy Portland?

Admission to Atlantic Academy Portland is managed by Dorset. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Atlantic Academy Portland cover?

Atlantic Academy Portland is a special school in Portland, Dorset, serving pupils aged 4-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Atlantic Academy Portland?

Atlantic Academy Portland was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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