Ark

Skip to content News13th August 2026 Ark students are celebrating outstanding A level and BTEC results today, with hundreds progressing to top universities and prestigious degree apprenticeships.

Skip to content Opinion31st July 2026 More funding and staff training, as well as allowing specialists to work directly with nurseries, will be key to making early years truly inclusive. This article by Ciara O’Carroll, Head of Inclusion at Ark Start, was originally published in Nursery World on 29 July 2026.

Opinion11th June 2026 With falling primary pupil numbers, trusts are being encouraged to look at repurposing buildings as school-based nurseries. But Katie Oliver says that risks getting things the wrong way round. What matters is not simply where children are, but the quality of experience when they are there. This blog was originally published on CST. Too many children in England still arrive at Reception not ready to learn. For disadvantaged children, the picture is even starker.

Opinion22nd July 2026 In response to recent articles about the importance of Key Stage 3 music, Greg Coughlin, Ark’s Secondary Music Specialist, explains why GCSE music needs major reform. Ark MusicArk Isaac Newton AcademyArk Kings Academy This article was originally published by Music Teacher Magazine on 17 July 2026. In response to recent articles about the importance of KS3 music, I’d like to draw attention to how GCSE music is becoming obsolete.

Skip to content News23rd July 2026 Year 6 pupils across Ark’s primary schools are celebrating another strong set of Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) results.

Opinion20th July 2026 The real promise of AI lies not in substituting teachers, but in supporting them – and their pupils. This article was originally published in Schools Week on 16 July 2026. Within months of the government setting out plans to pilot AI tutors for pupils on free school meals, it also moved to restrict AI chatbots for children as part of the social media ban for under–16s. These developments have prompted strong reactions, with some seeing a contradiction.

Opinion14th July 2026 As the number of young people who are Neet continues to cause concern, Sarah Taunton explains how Ark has redesigned its careers provision in line with the updated guidance. This article was originally published by Tes on Monday 13 July 2026. In line with government ambitions to stop so many young people becoming Neet (not in education, employment or training), recently updated statutory guidance on careers education has sharpened both expectations and urgency for schools.

Skip to content News10th July 2026 The Boards of Ark and Ark Schools have appointed two new CEOs to succeed Lucy Heller, who steps down at the end of August after a remarkable 22 years at the helm. Katie Oliver will lead Ark, the education charity, and Patrick Wall will be CEO of Ark Schools, the multi-academy trust. Katie Oliver is Ark’s current Director of Ventures and Managing Director of Ark Start.

Skip to content News9th July 2026 Dozens of students from Ark schools across the country are celebrating after being awarded university bursaries worth more than £1.1 million, helping them take the next step towards higher education.

Skip to content News25th June 2026 Ark has been named ‘Trust of the Year – 10 Schools or More’ at the Tes Schools Awards 2026. Ark Isaac Newton AcademyArk Tindal Primary AcademyArk Franklin Primary Academy The annual awards are held “to recognise the schools and teachers whose work is transforming outcomes for pupils and setting new standards across education in the UK”.