Memorandum submitted by ARK Schools
ABOUT ARK SCHOOLS
ARK Schools runs a network of Academies in London
and has plans to open schools in Birmingham and Redbridge over
the next few years. ARK Schools was created in 2004 to work with
the DCSF, local authorities and others to set up new schools and
replace existing schools through the Academies Programme.
ARK Schools' aim is to ensure that its students
complete school with real options: to move into higher education
or pursue the career of their choice. ARK Schools has no religious
affiliation and is committed to comprehensive education. ARK Schools
is part of the charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) which runs
a range of health, welfare and education projects in South Africa
and Eastern Europe.
THE ARK SCHOOLS
NETWORK
ARK Schools currently has a network of nine
academies open or under development:
— Burlington Danes Academy in Hammersmith
and Fulham, replaced the existing Burlington Danes Church of England
School in September 2006. This is a six-form entry secondary academy
with a sixth form due to open in 2010.
— King Solomon Academy in Westminster,
a new two-form entry reception through to sixth form school, opened
in September 2007 with its first reception classes.
— Walworth Academy in Southwark also
opened in September 2007, replacing the previous Walworth School.
This is a six-form entry secondary academy with a sixth form due
to open in 2010.
— Globe Academy in Southwark will open
in September 2008. It will offer nursery through to sixth form,
combining the existing Geoffrey Chaucer Technology College and
Joseph Lancaster Primary School near Elephant and Castle.
— Evelyn Grace Academy, a new academy
in Brixton for 11-18 year olds, will open in temporary space in
2008, and move to its permanent site in 2009.
— Wembley Park Academy in Brent will
open to reception pupils in September 2008 subject the Secretary
of State's approval of the funding agreement and planning permission.
It will admit its first year 7 pupils in September 2009 when it
opens fully as an all-through academy for 3-18 year olds.
— St Albans Academy, in Birmingham,
is due to open in 2009, succeeding St Albans Secondary School.
— Harborne Academy, also in Birmingham,
will replace Harboune Hill School in 2009.
— A brand new Academy in Redbridge,
London, will open in 2012, serving 11-18 year olds.
THE ARK SCHOOLS
ETHOS
Academic achievement—no excuses
ARK Schools has high expectations for its pupils.
We believe every child can realise their potential given the right
encouragement, teaching and support. We want every pupil at our
academies to leave with the academic qualifications and skills
they need to have real choice at 18, whether that's to continue
their education or to pursue a career. We do everything possible
to ensure that every child achieves year level expectations, every
year. We won't accept excuses and we won't make any either.
Culture—personal responsibility and mutual
respect
Our academies aim to maintain a respectful and
orderly environment so that pupils can focus on learning and teachers
on teaching. We believe that a successful education includes developing
and nurturing the personal qualities of every pupil.
Commitment
We expect all pupils, parents, teachers and
support staff to sign a home-school agreement before school starts,
so that everyone is committed to putting in the effort to ensure
that each child succeeds.
Small schools
Large schools can be intimidating. Ark academies
are organised into a set of "small schools", so that
every pupil knows and is known by every teacher within their small
school. This structure helps teachers deal with learning and behavioural
issues, as well as to challenge and stretch their pupils appropriately.
All-through schools
Where the local structure allows we would aim
to establish "all through" schools, providing classes
for children from nursery right through to sixth forms. We believe
that this benefits pupils throughout the school. Primary school
children have access to specialist facilities normally exclusive
to secondary schools and teacher expertise can be deployed flexibly
across Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.
The all-through structure means that children
have stability and continuity through their important and often
disruptive transition period from primary to secondary school,
ensuring that young people continue to make expected progress
at 11 +.
The core curriculum: depth before breadth
English and mathematics are the foundation for
all other subjects and are critical to success at school and in
life. Our academies aim to develop strong readers and communicators
who love to use their skills and children who are confident working
with numbers in everyday life. Our curriculum is designed and
structured to ensure that all children master essential knowledge
in these core subjects. In our infant schools, pupils have four
literacy classes (phonics, guided reading, guided writing, and
handwriting) and three numeracy classes each day.
Our specialisms
All of our Academies have specialist school
status in mathematics. We believe it is vitally important to provide
our pupils with the tools necessary to become numerically confident
adults. All ARK schools specialise in maths, and ARK invests a
great deal in the resources needed to attract and train the best
maths teachers. We will ensure that all our pupils become competent
mathematicians, at ease with both its theoretical and practical
uses.
February 2008
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