We are seeking your views on our proposal to open a new SEND Resource Base to support secondary-aged young people from across the local area with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

When full, there would be places for 25 young people from Year 7 to Year 11. If approved, the Resource Base would open in September 2026. We are consulting on making this change to the school in accordance with the 2025 Department for Education Making significant changes to an academy guidance.

The decision to open the base will involve a number of partners: our governors and Trustees must give permission, North Somerset Council will need to agree capital and revenue investment to develop and maintain the base and the Department for Education will need to ratify the proposal.

Context
There is a growing population of young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) across the North Somerset Local Authority. Furthermore, there are limited places available within Special Schools and alternative provision to support young people with ASD. The creation of a Resource Base will provide a suitable setting for young people that do not require a Special School placement but are currently struggling in a mainstream setting. It is anticipated that this will reduce the number of young people that access costly resources beyond the local authority; therefore, there is both a moral and financial duty to support young people to access education near their home.

North Somerset Council has access to governmental funding that aims to reduce the number of expensive and ‘out of area’ places by developing specialist facilities within local communities. The resource base would be developed with some of this funding. This is an investment of new money into the educational infrastructure of the area and will not take money away from any existing school. Indeed, the reduction of expensive and inappropriate placements will increase the amount of funding coming into schools across North Somerset. The council has set out its SEND Priorities in their published School Place Planning Strategy (Appendix 2, page 170). Lighthouse Schools Partnership and Gordano School support those priorities and are playing their part in improving and increasing SEND provision in our area.

Gordano School is well placed to operate a Resource Base as there is already significant expertise and capacity in the SEND team. Our dialogue with the Local Authority also supports our view that in a town the size of Portishead there is likely to be demand for this specialist provision, so most pupils accessing the resource base would also be attending their local secondary school.

Places in a Resource Base are allocated by the local authority based on needs identified in Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs). The 25 places would be additional to the school’s Planned Admission Number, so no local child or young person would be denied a place at Gordano as a consequence of the Resource Base.

The proposal
We wish to open a Resource Base for 25 pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim of the Resource Base is to provide specialist support for young people with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) stating ASD as their primary need. The proposal includes:

• A new specialist Resource Base building which will provide places for 25 pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• In all cases, the young people will have an Education Health Care Plan with the primary need of ASD named.
• Young people accessing the Resource Base will be able to access a proportion of mainstream lessons and benefit from specialist subject teaching and facilities.

 
What happens next?
The consultation will be for a period of five weeks, commencing on 8th September until Tuesday 14th October 2025. At the end of the consultation period, all comments/submissions will be considered by the school governors and Lighthouse Trustees, and a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with the next stage of the process as outlined in the Department for Education’s guidance.

How can I make my views known?
Your views are important to us, and we value your opinions. You can send your comments to the following:
Email: consultation@gordanoschool.org.uk
Letter: Clerk to Governors, Gordano School, St Mary’s Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7QR

If you require clarification on any of the points raised, please contact us on 01275 841396 or by email to the address above.

Thank you for your interest; we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Louise Blundell, Headteacher

Gary Lewis, Chief Executive

Gordano School is proud to announce the launch of The Compass, a brand-new specialist provision designed to support Year 7 students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Opening its doors in September 2025, The Compass represents a significant step forward in the school’s commitment to inclusive education.

Over the summer break, Miss Caswell and Mrs Hall have worked tirelessly to prepare the space—building and moving furniture, cleaning, and transforming the area into a calm and supportive environment for our new Year 7 pupils. Their dedication has ensured that The Compass is ready to welcome its first cohort.

A Purpose-Built SEND Provision

The Compass is a carefully designed base within Gordano School, offering a nurturing, structured environment for a maximum of twelve pupils per class. It includes:

• A main classroom for core learning
• A sensory room to support emotional regulation
• An intervention room for personalised support

 

           

Students will benefit from high-quality teaching adapted to meet individual needs, delivered by specialist teaching assistants and subject experts. While most learning will take place within The Compass, pupils will join the wider school for practical subjects, promoting integration and a sense of belonging.

A Focus on Individualised Support

To maximise support, students in The Compass will not follow a modern foreign languages curriculum. Instead, this time is allocated for specialist interventions tailored to each child’s specific learning profile—boosting both progress and confidence.

A Day in The Compass

Each day starts with students joining their assigned tutor groups in the main school, helping them stay connected with the wider school community. They then move to The Compass for a nurturing start to their academic day. Supported transitions between base lessons and mainstream practical lessons ensure that pupils are always guided and encouraged.

At break and lunch, students can access the Student Support area, offering a quiet space for building friendships, playing games, or seeking additional help.

Supporting Progress and Long-Term Success

The Compass will operate within a robust framework of ongoing support and evaluation. Progress will be regularly reviewed using the assess, plan, do, review cycle, with annual review meetings involving parents, pupils, and staff. These reviews will guide decisions about whether continued placement in The Compass is appropriate for each pupil beyond Year 7.

National Recognition for Inclusion

Gordano School has been awarded an ‘Area of Excellence’ in Inclusion by Challenge Partners—an accolade that reflects its deep-rooted commitment to supporting students with SEND. The launch of The Compass strengthens this dedication, offering a new level of specialist care within a mainstream setting.

Find Out More

Families seeking more information about The Compass are encouraged to contact the SEND team at:
📧 SEND@gordanoschool.org.uk
You can also visit the SEND webpage 

As we welcome the first students to The Compass this September, Gordano School reaffirms its mission to provide outstanding, inclusive education for every learner.

As we celebrate our Sixth Form students on their fantastic results, here we share some student spotlights as they take their next steps into higher education, apprenticeships and employment:

 

Student: Haiyi W - 4 A*s

Destination: Queen Mary University in London

Course: Flying Start Accountancy degree

 

Student: Ellie S - 4 A*s

Destination: Bristol University

Course: Vet Medicine

 

Student: Biba H

Destination: Bristol University

Course: Physics

 

Student: Sophie G - double distinction stars and a distinction

Destination: Dental Nursing Apprenticeship

 

Student: Isobel S - double distinction stars and a distinction

Destination: Plymouth Marjon

Course: PE Secondary Education

Student: Flo B - 2A*s and an A

Destination: Exeter University

Course: Psychology

Student: Joe R - 3 A* and an A

Destination: Oxford University

Course: Chemistry

 

Student: Max A - 3 A* and an A

Destination: Durham University

Course: Maths and Computer Science

 

Student: Sam L - 2A*s and an A

Destination: Bath

Course: Economics after a year abroad. He wishes to grow his own business in the future.

Student: Bailey W - 3 A* and an A

Destination: Manchester University

Course: Maths and Physics

 

Student: Harry L

Destination: Loughborough University

Course: Sports Science

 

Student: Isaac L

Destination: Loughborough

Course: Fashion Design after a gap year to do an art foundation course

Student: Jay H

Destination: Bristol University

Course: BIMM Music 

 

Student: Ben B

Destination: Exeter University

Student: Stanley - 2xA* and 2xA 

Students: Alan F, Connor H, Stan G, Halima H-W and Natalie G – all gained 2A*s and an A

Student: Austen C - double distinction in business and a distinction in sport

 

We're incredibly proud of their academic excellence, resilience, ambition, and hard work.

Year 7 and 8 students at Gordano School put their mathematical thinking to the test in the school’s annual Maths House Competition, this year themed as a thrilling “Whodunnit” mystery.

The fictional crime? The theft of the legendary Golden Calculator — with a twist: one member of Gordano’s very own Maths department was the prime suspect. Over five days, students were challenged to solve a daily Maths puzzle, each revealing a new clue to eliminate one suspect at a time. By the final day, students had to piece everything together and make their accusation.

Each puzzle drew on key maths skills developed throughout the year, including percentages, fractions, algebra, and number fluency, offering a fun and engaging way for students to apply their learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Participants earned points for their house teams, with bonus points awarded for submitting photos of their workings and correctly solving the full case. After a week of impressive deduction and problem-solving, Portland House emerged victorious with a remarkable 60 points.

The individual winner was Daniel H, who solved every puzzle with exceptional clarity and attention to detail. He was closely followed by runners-up Jennifer V and Anais P.

The event generated a real buzz throughout the school, with students excitedly discussing clues and eagerly awaiting each day’s challenge.

Ms. Goodwin, the competition’s organiser, described the event as “a true highlight of the year and a fantastic opportunity for students to explore Maths beyond the classroom in a creative, collaborative, and competitive way.”

Congratulations to all our sleuthing students who took part — and keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Whodunnit sequel!

Over two unforgettable evenings, Gordano School was transformed into a vibrant celebration of creativity, talent, and community spirit, as students, staff, and families came together for the annual Creative Arts Festival.

From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in a true festival atmosphere — complete with colourful bunting, joyful performances, and returning food favourites including pizza and hot dog trailers, a mobile bar, and the ever-popular ice cream van.

WATCH OUR VIDEO HERE

Festival highlights included:

• A high-energy Fashion Show featuring innovative student designs
• Powerful Drama and Dance showcases brimming with originality and talent from all year groups
• A dynamic gallery exhibition of Art, Photography, Textiles, Product Design, and DT projects
• A unique rotating Music Extravaganza in the Main Hall — guiding audiences through performances from the choir, student bands, an interactive orchestral game, and even a seven-minute vocal experiment!
• A surprise set from a staff band, which added to the fun, relaxed atmosphere

One parent, whose children are in Years 7 and 9, shared glowing feedback about the event:

“I just wanted to send some positive feedback about the Creative Arts Festival. I’ve been coming for the last three years and it just gets better. This year was absolutely brilliant and had a real festival vibe, especially with the staff band!

I just wanted to congratulate all of the staff who come together to make this happen and provide opportunities for these talented young people.

It’s a real joy to see the young people and staff having fun at school. It was especially impressive to see the camaraderie and positive morale in the staff teams this year.

The work the students produce across DT, textiles, art, photography, dance, drama and music is also so amazing and a credit to the school. The students are so impressive in their confident performances. What a great end of the year. Thank you!”

The festival not only showcased the creative achievements of students but also celebrated the dedication and spirit of the entire school community.

“We wanted to create a space where creativity could shine and our students’ hard work could be celebrated in style,” said Louise Blundell, Headteacher. “The energy, enthusiasm, and community spirit across both evenings was truly heartwarming.”

With smiles all around and performances that left guests cheering, this year’s Creative Arts Festival was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when talent, passion, and collaboration come together. The countdown to next year’s event has already begun.

Year 7 students at Gordano School were given the opportunity to take part in a series of Aspirational ‘mini’ challenges, designed to spark creativity, build resilience, and inspire ambition.

From entering a national writing competition themed “New World” to showcasing personal resilience through creative expression, students impressed staff with their enthusiasm and determination. One standout example was Isla, who demonstrated resilience in a hands-on and artistic way — by mastering the art of cupcake piping, a task that proved both technical and rewarding.

“These challenges were all about encouraging students to push themselves, try something new, and think outside the box,” said Ms Pope, Lead of Aspire Programme “It’s been brilliant to see the range of talents and strengths our students have shown.”

Winners and runners-up were awarded Amazon gift vouchers as a token of recognition, and all participants were celebrated for their effort and creativity.

A special congratulations goes to Alanna, whose entry was selected as Gordano’s winning submission in the “New World” writing competition. Her work stood out for its originality, thoughtfulness, and powerful use of language. Her piece is shared below.

Gordano School is proud to support opportunities like these that nurture creativity, resilience, and aspiration — values at the heart of the school community.