College History

During the 1940s, Winifred, Duchess of Portland, had the vision of providing re-employment for ex-miners, disabled as a result of mining accidents in the locality, and casualties of the Second World War.

On the 29th of June 1949, the then Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, laid the foundation stone of the college. By the spring of 1950, several buildings were complete, members of staff were appointed and in June 1950 the college accepted its first students. On the 24th of June 1950 Her Majesty The Queen officially opened the college.

Since its foundation, Portland College has consistently improved and developed its facilities for people with disabilities and associated learning difficulties. The college is today a very different place to that small training establishment which opened its doors in 1950, but we believe that the original "Portland Spirit" is unchanged.

The energy, drive, commitment, ability to challenge problems, pull down barriers and bring about change is as strong today as ever.