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The newsletter of the ARK Schools network Issue 5 | March | 2011

The Arrow
ARK ACAdEMY
THE INSIDE STORY

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE
Preparing pupils for higher education
REAd ALL AboUT IT
How ARK is nurturing a love of literacy
PLUS: bEYoNd THE SUMMIT
Your feedback from the big day

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First person Contents


Politics, funding News 2

andfree school Beyond The Summit 6

meals ARK Lights Up The Stage 8


Simon Pink
Finance and The Journey 10
Resources Director,
ARK Schools University Challenge 14

Hardly a day goes by at the moment without somebody Brought To Book 15


on the news discussing public sector cuts. Throughout
this upheaval, Michael Gove has said that schools would Pinboard 16
be largely immune, and the school funding settlement The Arrow is the newsletter of ARK Schools, 65 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TD
showed real-terms growth over the lifetime of this
government. Also, with the pupil premium, he has said
that schools in areas of high deprivation would be better
New tests to track progress
off. But what’s the reality behind the rhetoric? Following consultation in 9. The pilot will take place in
The most honest answer is that we don’t fully know yet, January, all principals across April, with a view to extending
the network have agreed to it across the network for the
as we haven’t had all the details. It is clear that among
introduce a common ARK end of the summer term.
schools there will be winners and losers. The pupil baseline test in English and This development will not
premium (starting at £430 per eligible pupil, but likely to mathematics for all new Year 7 only help to ensure consistency
rise to over £2k per eligible pupil students. These tests will take in levelling students’ attainment,
over the next four years) will be a place on either the taster day but will create a network-wide
It is clear that or as part of the academy’s professional dialogue about
boon to those schools with above-
among schools average numbers of children who
summer school. standards in English and
there will be In addition, principals have mathematics, and consideration
are eligible for free school meals, agreed to pilot common termly of what students need to be
winners which includes all ARK academies. assessments in English and taught if they are to reach the
and losers However, it is also becoming clear mathematics for Years 7, 8 and ambitious targets we set them.
that while the main schools budget
is supposedly protected, it will not rise in line with inflation
and some “non-core” areas will be reduced.
Our current plans assume that increases through the
pupil premium will offset inflation and other cuts, so for
once you can feel sympathy for your colleagues in the
leafy suburbs, who will see real-terms cuts in funding
over the next few years. For us, funding streams will
change but the overall effect should not be greatly
different. These funds should be sufficient to achieve
our targets if we manage them well.
One aspect of ensuring our schools receive what
they are entitled to is to see that pupils who are eligible
Rising
for free school meals register for them.
Many of our schools are looking again at ways of
STARZ
motivating these parents to sign their children up for free Globe Academy has been working presentations in the boardroom
school meals. We need to ensure that all our pupils get the in partnership with private equity and even presented their own
best support, that firm Actis, whose staff kindly sales pitches.
agreed to mentor a group of Year “Our coaches were so pleased
they have the
10 students on a range of topics. with their progress we decided
opportunity for The STARZ programme began to extend the programme,”
a hot, nutritious last October and was planned as commented Suzy Opperman from
meal every day, a once-weekly after-school visit for Actis. “The STARZ have developed
and that all of our eight weeks, but was so successful an outstanding amount of
schools get their it was extended to 11 weeks. confidence. They have bonded
The students built up an excellent really well and I am so proud
full funding
rapport with their mentors on the of what they have achieved.”
to sustain the huge programme, during which they ARK hopes to offer the STARZ
progress they prepared CVs, excelled at mock programme to other schools in
are all making. interviews, designed and delivered the network from September.

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ARK News

GCSEs: the
final figures
The official GCSE results figures
for all schools in England were
published in January, and they
confirmed that ARK Schools was
the top-performing academy
group for GCSE improvement
for the second year running.
The five ARK academies with
GCSE results achieved an average
rise of 12 percentage points over
last year.
The final figures for these
academies (percentage achieving
five A*-C grades including English
and maths) were:
■ Burlington Danes: 67% (2009,
50%) top 10 for GCSE performance The Government’s recent chains or federations such as
■ Charter: 24% (2009, 21%) among all academies that have White Paper on education ARK Schools... have an even
■ Globe: 42% (2009, 35%) been open for at least two highlighted the successes of the larger proportion of their pupils
■ St Alban’s: 50% (2009, 31%) years. St Alban’s joins them in academy programme, and of achieving five or more A*- C
■ Walworth: 59% (2009, 45%) the top 20, when ranked by the ARK network in particular, grades at GCSE on average
Both Burlington Danes and improvement in GCSE results concluding that “those than pupils of academies not
Walworth academies are in the since 2007. Academies which are part of in a chain.”

Primary making great strides in pupil


attainment. “It was clear from

objectives in day one how much time and


attention these institutes have

New orleans spent focusing upon shared


values and the common vision to
succeed,” said Damian McBeath,
In January, Sophy Blakeway, head teacher of ARK Conway.
ARK’s Director of Primary, The trip was a fantastic
and the five ARK primary head opportunity to learn more about
teachers visited Charter schools Charter schools, particularly in
Brian F. Crowley

in New Orleans. The purpose New Orleans, described by Ben


of the week-long trip was to Marcovitz as “one of the most
combine training with school exciting cities for educational
visits, to learn how culture and reform in the US at present”.
values have been developed and
back to summer school embedded in Charter schools.
The training, provided by
Having sent four ARK pupils to scientific subjects such as 3D Ben Marcovitz and Jay Altman,
the prestigious Phillips Exeter Computer Design and Problem also covered models for staff
summer school in New Solving in Calculus, to arts and development training, high
Hampshire last year, a scholarship humanities courses, including expectations and how to deliver
generously funded by one of Debate and Argumentation, them, identifying existing
ARK’s donors will allow up to Philosophy of Science and attainment gaps and behaviour
six Year 11 students, chosen Acting for the Camera. They management.
from across the ARK network, will also have the opportunity The group visited a total
to attend the course this summer. to participate in a wide range of six schools to see how the
The summer school is of sports, visit local cities and models
renowned internationally for attractions, join singing and outlined by
providing a challenging and acting ensembles and forge Jay and Ben
exciting experience for the 700 friendships with classmates worked in
students fortunate enough to from many different countries practice. All
gain a place each year. Admission and backgrounds. were in areas
is highly competitive, with Applications for ARK’s 2011 of New
students needing to demonstrate scholarship have now closed. Orleans with
their commitment to study. Once Look out for details of how the high levels of
admitted, they can choose from successful applicants got on in need and are
a wide range of classes, from future issues of The Arrow.

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ARK News

A winning In an afternoon of energy,


excitement and exacting
in individual challenges at their
schools. The top four students
formula arithmetic, Year 8 students from
across the ARK network gathered
from each academy then formed
a team to go head to head with
at King Solomon Academy on 24 the other ARK academies.
November to compete for the title How would you have done?
of ARK Mathematics Champion. One of the puzzles was this: a
Organised by Bruno Reddy, King 13-metre rope was cut into three
Solomon’s Head of Maths, and pieces. The longest was twice as
hosted by Marina Damiba, the long as the shortest. The lengths
school’s Assistant Head, it was were whole numbers in metres.
what we hope will be the first How long was the shortest piece?
of many ARK network “The students worked very
mathematics events. well individually and also showed
To qualify, students competed strong teamwork
skills,” said Helen
Drury, ARK Schools’
Winners
Team Competition: Individual Competition Director of
Gold: Charter Academy Gold: Karan Bagri, Mathematics.
(team members, David King Solomon Academy “All of them clearly
Tubbs, Liam Wigmore, Lee Silver: Moustafa Katamsh, enjoyed the event
Harman and Hayden Chan) Burlington Danes Academy and got a real buzz
Silver: Globe Academy Bronze: Barin Bamgbose, from the challenges
Bronze: Walwor th Academy Evelyn Grace Academy involved.”

Five new schools to join the ARK network


The ARK Schools network keeps
growing, with five secondary and
primary schools in London in
development. Building work has
started at Isaac Newton Academy,
which opens in Redbridge for its
first Year 7 students in 2012. A
principal is now being appointed

ARK Conway, a new primary school, will open in September in this former Hammersmith library
and the school has a distinctive
logo (above), by leading artist of the existing St Michael and Southwark Diocese will continue September. Head teachers, Daniel
Michael Craig-Martin. All Angels Church of England to run the school until 2013, with Upfield at Atwood in Westminster,
ARK Schools is also working Academy in Southwark, which ARK providing some support. and Damian McBeath at Conway
with local parents to open will close in July 2013. Despite ARK will also open two in Hammersmith, have held well-
Bolingbroke Academy in significant recent success, the London primary schools in attended information sessions.
Wandsworth in 2012, to address existing school’s falling rolls
the area’s shortage of secondary undermined its viability and
school places. More than 2,400 threatened its planned building
people backed the parent-run programme. ARK’s sponsorship
Neighbourhood School Campaign has secured the building
(NSC) for a new school, as did programme and the new
politicians from all major parties. academy will open to Year 7
The NSC concluded that ARK pupils in 2013. Year 7 and 8
was most closely aligned to their pupils will transfer to other local
vision for the school after visiting schools this September. Year 9
four academies in the network. and 10s will complete their
ARK is also opening a new studies at St Michael’s, so they
academy in 2013 on the site can focus on their GCSEs. The Primary head teachers: Damian McBeath (left) and Daniel Upfield

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ARK News

NewYork ARK
masterclass updates
Following the success of Doug
Lemov’s workshops at the ARK
Schools Summit, a group of Ofsted successes: Ark
teachers from across the network Academy has received an
travelled to Albany, New York, “outstanding” rating after its
last December, to take part in first full Ofsted inspection since
a two-day “train the trainer” opening (more on page 10).
workshop delivered by Doug Ofsted also completed their first
(pictured below) and his team monitoring of St Alban’s Academy

C 2011 Michael McGrath Management Services Ltd


from Uncommon Schools. Aimed and judged the school to be
at lead teachers, the training making good progress. Inspectors
explored a range of techniques noted the exceptional progress
and used video-clip analysis to made in transforming behaviour
help communicate the ideas and and ethos, and the very effective
care, guidance and support
offered, particularly to the
most vulnerable children.

Aspiring to headship: ARK


Schools’ Director of Education
Sir Michael Wilshaw has been
Disabled explorer Michael McGrath visited Burlington Danes leading an eight-month pilot
course for vice principals
VIP visitors aspiring to headship. For further
information on the course contact
provide examples of “champion” ARK academies have welcomed individuals can make a georgina.cavaliere@arkonline.org
teachers at work. some distinguished guests over difference in world affairs.”
“It has been several weeks the past few months, the result Evelyn Grace Academy has Honours for Evelyn Grace:
since I attended the workshop of a new partnership with Robert enjoyed a visit from Richard On 11 November, Evelyn Grace
and I am still loving and Peston’s Speakers for Schools Beeston, Foreign Editor of The Academy received the Academy
practising the techniques I used,” programme, the Education and Times, described by the school’s Development Award at the
commented Lucy Frame, Small Employers Taskforce and ARK Principal Peter Walker as “a Education Business Awards. The
School Head Teacher at Walworth volunteer Liz Chong. honour was for the development
Academy. “Even better, I led an Last term Burlington Danes of the academy from its opening
inset on some of the techniques pupils heard talks from Michael through to the management and
to the whole staff, and two days McGrath, the only disabled procurement of the new building.
later they are using them and the person to reach both
pupils have geographical poles, record- Sally Morgan joins Ofsted:
reported breaking yachtswoman Dame Michael Gove has announced
“It has been that they Ellen MacArthur and Steve the appointment of Sally Morgan
several weeks can feel Crawshaw, international as Chairman of Ofsted from 1
since I that school advocacy director at Amnesty March. Sally will continue as
attended the is different. Steve Crawshaw, above, and adviser to ARK’s global board, a
workshop and It has Dame Ellen MacArthur, left position she has held since 2005,
I am still loving already fascinating insight into how a but sadly will have to stand down
and practising made major national newspaper covers from Globe Academy’s governing
the techniques more of an the world’s hotspots for news”. body, where she served as chair
impact than Meanwhile, Globe Academy of the curriculum committee. We
I used” any other welcomed John Makinson, offer her our congratulations as
behaviour workshop I have ever CEO of Penguin Books, and Anti- she takes up this important role.
been on.” Slavery International’s Iqtadar
Ellen MacArthur Trust

The trip was an opportunity Hasnain, who described his visit Globe pupils’ winning design:
to work with teachers from across as “a great success, with pupils Four Year 10 pupils from Globe
the USA, all of whom work in asking very detailed questions”. Academy have beaten 900 other
schools committed to closing ARK aims to bring a wide students to win the Virtual
the achievement gap. range of visitors to our schools, Ventura Award, run by the Design
“Using the techniques, I have and encourages primary and Museum in London. Rajun
been amazed at how the students International. Following Steve secondary academies to register Hussain, Heshmatullah Tajik,
have responded,” said Natalie Crawshaw’s talk at Burlington their interest with ARK and Freddy Hussain and Armin
Sheppard, Small School Head Danes, Year 9 student Mohamed through Speakers for Schools Druzanovic invented the “Dish
Teacher at Globe Academy. “I feel Sheryanna commented: “It and the Education and Dash”, a plate that folds into a
lucky to have been given such was amazing to hear how Employers Taskforce. box, designed to carry food home
hope about what is possible.” from restaurants.

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bEYoNd THE
SUMMIT...
Last November, nearly 1,000 ARK Schools staff met to celebrate how The same top rating was given by more
far we have come and to look to the future. By Georgina Cavaliere than 90% of those who attended the session
on line management delivered by Sir Keith
November 1 2010 saw the inaugural ARK from teaching and line management, to Ajegbo, while more than 60% of those
Schools Summit, held in central London. The “soft” skills such as conflict resolution and support staff who joined the “Excellence
event brought together more than 800 staff time management. All sessions were designed behind the scenes” session by Rob Dominic,
working in all roles across all our schools and to give delegates practical techniques they rated it “excellent”.
was the first time the whole network had could use immediately on returning to school. We have also listened to your feedback and
gathered under one roof. We wanted the day Overall, feedback from the day was want to ensure the day is even more enjoyable
to be an opportunity to celebrate our success, extremely positive. Doug Lemov’s “Teach like next time. One of the areas we are working on
learn together and look to the future while a Champion” sessions were a high point for is staggering the end of workshops to avoid
providing an opportunity for everybody teaching staff, with more than 77% rating overcrowding at lunch time.
to meet with their peers in other schools. the session “excellent”; while over 90% of After the Summit, many schools held
External experts provided training sessions the delegates who attended Jay Altman’s an INSET day to allow themselves the
in a wide variety of areas, covering everything session on small schools, rated it “excellent”. opportunity to put their new skills into
practice: many of
People at Doug Lemov’s teaching
the Summit strategies were applied
(clockwise, in the classrooms and
from first right): a small group of senior
award-winning staff from across the
LSA Helen ARK Schools network
Kolawole with visited the US to attend
Sally Coates; a training programme
Jay Altman; with Doug Lemov
Doug Lemov; (see News, page 5).
Dylan Wiliam Many of the training
and Venessa sessions offered at the
Willms Summit were “tasters”
of the network-wide
Training and Professional
Development menu that

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ARK Summit

Network training menu launched


The Training and Professional
Development menu is designed to
provide all staff with an opportunity
to develop and share best practice
across the network

Whatever your role, development need


or career aspiration, you will find a range
of “bite sized” training solutions from
external and internal providers to support
you in achieving your goals. Their purpose
is to help you to access the training you
need without necessarily having to leave
your school, building new skills gradually
within the time you have available.
Over the past two terms, we have spoken
to many staff across the network to help us
understand what training you would value
today and which skills you need for the future.
The training menu is now almost ready
for launch. Organised under 12 job
categories, such as Teaching, Catering,
Operations, Support, Premises, Marketing
and Communications, IT and Finance, the
training solutions are available under three
broad headings:
Personal and professional development
skills: skills that relate to how you “lead
yourself”. This category includes training in
safeguarding, using MS office, communication
skills (both written and oral), time
management, planning and organising,
influencing and conflict management.
Leadership and management training:
skills that are relevant as you lead and
manage others. This category includes

What you said: ARK filled Westminster Central


Hall, main picture. Top: warming
up for the “Great Teaching, Great
programmes such as “The First Time
Manager”, leading through change, building
a culture in small schools, coaching, having
● “It gave a clear outline Learning” session. Above, left and
difficult conversations, mentoring, planning
of ARK’s ethos and expectations” right: it was an opportunity to meet
and organising a team.
with staff from across the network
● “I learnt more specific Role-specific training: this relates
and useful ways of specifically to the role you perform. If
supporting students” you select the teaching menu, you will find
a range of practical teacher development
● “ The celebration of solutions to support you in the classroom.
individuals with awards If you select the IT menu, you’ll find support
kick started the day well” for ITIL Foundation, Exchange 2007, and so
on. Under the operations menu, you will
● “Training sessions were find COSHH, fire awareness and a number
inspiring and easily applied of other options.
in my classroom” Where possible, each module will offer a
● “There were really range of options to suit the time you have
available: you can sign up to face-to-face
relevant, savvy and
sessions, twilight sessions at other schools,
intelligent speakers” webinars, online modules, video clips and
download knowledge documents. As the
network evolves and the needs of our schools
is scheduled for launch this term. change, we will develop the content of
Hosted on the Fronter homepage, the training menu to ensure that our
you can access training material professional development continues
and presentations from all the to support our in-school priorities.
Summit sessions, and also access To access the training menu, simply
new modules on a broad range log on to Fronter, select “Training”
of skills via the Training and from the homepage, and you are
Professional Development menu. ready to go. Happy training! ■

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St Alban’s
Academy
A Winter’s Tale

Charter
Academy
A Midsummer
Night’s Dream

King Solomon
Academy
Macbeth

Evelyn Grace
Academy
Macbeth

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ARK One Day

Burlington
Danes Academy
A Midsummer
Night’s Dream AR K
LIGHTS UP
THE STAGE
On 18 and 19 November, more than 150
pupils of various ages came from across
the ARK Schools network to London’s Shaw
Globe Theatre to perform abridged versions of
Shakespeare’s plays. By Sarah Gregory
Academy
Romeo and Macbeth’s witches were brought to life with
Juliet spooky authenticity by pupils from Evelyn
Grace Academy, with strong female actors
taking on the lead male roles. “The experience
for our students was incredible,” commented Jones. “It was an absolute delight being
Alison Tyreman, the school’s Head of English. in a professional space,” he said.
“Their confidence has soared and they are a The performances of A Midsummer Night’s
tighter team.” Dream could not have been more different,
Taking on the same play, King Solomon yet were equally delightful to watch. Charter
Academy students used clever props to great Academy put on a spirited show, delivering
effect, decapitating Macbeth and holding his their speeches excellently and filling their
head high. Although the youngest of the performance with humour. Every cast
performers, they took on this complex tale member shone from the moment they
with great maturity. entered the stage, with particular moments of
In Walworth Academy’s Romeo and greatness from Bottom, Puck and the fairies.
Juliet, Benvolio inhabited his role with “Engaging in a professional event for the
great humour, as did Lord Capulet, who was public was an exciting and vibrant experience
portrayed in the style of for all of us,” commented Lynda O’Neill,
Walworth a used-car salesman. Their Charter Academy’s Head
wit was a counterbalance “Their of Dance and Drama.
Academy to the death of Mercutio, confidence Burlington Danes set
Romeo and who was slain in dramatic has soared a high benchmark for
Juliet Hollywood style. future performances
In Globe Academy’s
and they are with excellent acting,
performance of the same a tighter direction and styling.
play, Friar Lawrence was team” They brought the story
a show stealer, and the together in a highly
fight scene, employing original way, with highlights from those
professionally playing Bottom, Puck, Oberon and Francis
choreographed stage Flute. Their bright interpretation was very
swordsmanship, was well delivered and the pleasure of the cast
exhilarating to watch, was very clear to see. “All of them want to do
as were the light-footed it again – right now!” said their drama teacher
boys and girls who danced Matthew Rowlands-Roberts after the show.
in the banqueting scene. St Alban’s brave rendition of the
“Before doing the challenging A Winter’s Tale produced
Shakespeare Schools particularly strong performances from the
Festival I didn’t really students in the roles of Hermione, Time,
understand Shakespeare, and Polixenes, as they told this moving
it was like another story of lost love. “This event has raised
language,” observed pupils’ self-esteem as well as their focus on
one Globe student with verse speaking and finding the meaning in
an enthusiasm that was text,” said Andrew Cooley, Head of English
shared by the school’s at St Alban’s. “It has created a group of expert
Head of Drama and pupils able to bring new understanding of
Performing Arts, Russell Shakespeare to the classroom.” ■

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THE JoURNEY
To oUTSTANdING
The second of ARK’s new schools to receive an outstanding
Ofsted report, Ark Academy has achieved a great deal in a
very short time. Principal Delia Smith OBE reveals how

Year 7s at Ark Academy are encouraged to


take pride in their status as “founder
pupils” (above). Right: at the end of its first
year, 95% of Ark Academy’s primary
school pupils exceeded national
expectations in English and maths

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ARK The Journey

In January 2008, Ark Academy was just


an idea: all we had was a muddy field, with
no planning permission and local protestors
camped out on site. It was not the most
auspicious start, but things soon changed.
Later that year, our primary section opened
in temporary accommodation. It helped build
our reputation in the community, and quickly
became oversubscribed. On 20 September
2010 we moved into our permanent buildings
and opened our secondary school, and now
we have 40 teachers, 400 students and an
“outstanding” Ofsted inspection.
How did we do it? First, we didn’t start with
a blank sheet of paper – our founder teachers
bring a wealth of experience from
a variety of backgrounds. We also had time:
a year to plan before moving into the new
building. So what did we focus on?

● Planning, planning and more planning


Always practical and realistic, and wherever
possible down to that devil, detail. We didn’t
write policies so they could sit on the shelf.
Everything we planned was carefully
implemented, mainly during our month-
long training period with all our staff
before we opened (this time was essential).

● “The main thing is the main thing”


Before opening, we endlessly refined our
thoughts and plans for teaching and learning
– we really did make this the focus. We asked:
what do we believe in? What teaching extends
learning the most? We discussed ad infinitum
our pedagogy, our craft, the science behind
learning. The outcome? The central policy
of Ark Academy, the Learning and Teaching
Policy. It is our training manual, and we
revisit it routinely.

● The right people on the bus: recruitment


of staff. This could easily have been at the
top of this list. We made our plans and vision
explicit to all potential recruits at excellent
recruitment fairs in Central London. We
didn’t pull any punches, and made it clear ● Training, training and more training Guy Claxton. This crucial area for any school
how much hard work was ahead of anyone The next six months’ focus was on how to was given extensive thought, planning and
who came on board. “It’s exciting but not generate buy in from all staff – “alignment” provision. No one at Ark Academy ever
an easy ride!” was the basic message. as they say across the pond. Our answer was “arrives” as a teacher; a lifetime is not
The teachers who weren’t deterred training, not just by us, but also by nationally long enough to master the craft. We are
by this were just the right people. recognised educators such as Geoff Barton and all learning all the time, and we learn best

Ark Academy: a brief history


● Sept 2008 Ark ● By the end of the ● Sept 2009 ● August 2010 Everything works ● January 2011
Academy Primary first year 95% of Applications for 30 new teachers (almost) perfectly Ark Academy
School opens in students exceeded Reception more and support staff receives 990
temporary national expectations than double; the begin one month ● November 2010 applications
accommodation for attainment in school is hugely of induction and School graded (of which 546 are first
with Jacqueline English, and 100% oversubscribed. training at ARK’s “Outstanding” after or second choices)
Steele as head did in maths, despite head office. a two-day Ofsted for Year 7 for 2011
teacher, 56 reception having levels well inspection, in which
students, two below national ● Sept 2010 Move 38 lessons were
teachers, five average on entry. into the new building observed.
support staff and with Nursery, Year 1,
one site manager. Year 2 and Year 7
(400 students in total).

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ARK The Journey

when we learn together. Our induction of staff real live students we had spent so long crucially, we got it from day one, allowing
helped establish this culture. Teaching and preparing for! us to capitalise on all the enthusiasm and
learning formed the largest part of training, So we had the right people, a clear vision curiosity our founder students brought with
along with the writing of detailed schemes of backed up by detailed plans, and a first-rate them at the start of their time with us.
work with senior leadership team support – training programme. And from that we got There are, as we all know, myriad factors
really stretching stuff. However, it is true that what the lead Ofsted inspector highlighted that contribute to the development of a school
by 20 September we were all going a little at the start of his feedback: “Six great lessons that I have not mentioned, from the design of
stir crazy, and were desperate to see all the a day, consistently across the school.” And, the curriculum to the pupils’ induction plan;

staff and Academy


“Being a founding teacher of Ark
has been a rare privilege
“We love being part of a new
academy because our classrooms
students that I have enjoyed every minute are new and shiny, and our learning
of. I have been able to shape is exciting and fun! We are really
a department, lessons and, good at maths and writing, and 
ultimately, the students I teach.” our new teachers make it
John Kirkman, Director of a happy place to be.”
English, Secondary School Hadeal Abdelatti and Errice
Harris, Da Vinci Class,Year 2
“Joining a new academy has
provided me with a unique and “I have never been part of a new
exciting opportunity to help shape school before, but so far it has
the foundations of an outstanding been wonderful. Since we are
school, while making a real and the first year group, we have a
lasting difference to the lives of big responsibility. We have to
the children and families within set an example for all the new
our local community.” students who come next year.”
Julie Harrison, Year 2 teacher Temisan Ebigeyi-Popo, Orwell
and Mathematics Subject Leader Class,Year 7

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ARK The Journey

from the school’s ethos (that small thing) imposition. We conducted 57 formal lesson around. First choice Year 7 applications for
to the endless building meetings. I have observations in the eight weeks before Ofsted, next September are up from 55 last year to
concentrated here on what I see as the central and this undoubtedly helped. Everyone 286, an increase of over 400%. The challenge
tasks for a principal: recruiting the right staff observes everyone – there is no hierarchical of sustaining our initial success – of keeping
and developing them so they are consistently structure to the schedule and no defensiveness the consistency as the school expands – is our
“expert teachers”. Most will follow from this. about feedback. main focus in the coming months. The pupils
Observations are embedded in our culture A useful corollary of our start up was that have also been endlessly told how privileged
and are recognised by staff as a right, not an many teachers this year, with only Year 7 they are as “founder pupils”, and that they
classes, have extensive slack in their timetable. must not take this for granted. As we’ve said
We have used this time to support classes in over and over since we opened: “we will
a consistent way: 40% of our lessons have never have this opportunity again”. That,
two teachers in the room. This carefully above all, is Ark Academy’s mantra for 2011. ■
programmed co-teaching has had a direct
impact on pupil progress, and enabled Ofsted
to say, “there are substantial opportunities What Ofsted
for staff to observe and work alongside other
colleagues [and] receive feedback…. on their
says
own performance”. As well as being a great “Pupils make outstanding progress
deal for the pupils, co-teaching has had in their studies.”
probably the greatest and quickest impact “...outstanding aspects include the
on teacher professional development that consistently high expectations and rigorous
we have encountered. lesson planning.”
We know we have been extremely
Delia Smith and students, main picture, fortunate to have the chance to reflect, “...pupils really enjoy their lessons and
opposite. Main picture, above: reception plan and build on all our prior experience in appreciate the efforts of their teachers
pupils at carpet time. Above: all students opening a new academy. We will never lose to make them interesting.”
start each day with a 20-minute reading sight of this. Since opening we have turned “The progress of pupils with special
lesson. Left: basketball in the gym the community’s initial apprehensiveness educational needs is also outstanding.”

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ARK Higher education

ARK’s University Success At ARK, we want every pupil to do well Curriculum design While providing an
Programme aims to ensure our enough by age 18 to have real options: to go appropriate set of options for all students,
pupils have the best choices after to university or to follow the career of their the curriculum in ARK schools must allow
choice. The University Success Programme students to strengthen their position as
they leave us. By Rose McNamee
is here to support schools in making sure the competitive candidates for top universities.
pupils in our network are well prepared for University advice Teachers need support in

University university when they leave us.


This year, the UK has record numbers of
young people applying to university, a relative
advising students on curriculum choices and
navigating the university application process.
Student experiences To aspire towards

challenge scarcity of graduate jobs and the prospect


of tuition fees increasing to £9,000 per year.
So why do we still want the majority of
ARK Sixth Form leavers to go?
learning at the highest levels, students need
opportunities to visit (and receive visits from)
universities, their students and staff.
Alumni tracking We need to ensure there
There are strong reasons. Graduates are is tracking of leavers’ destinations – whether
more likely than non-graduates to be in work, to university, training courses or employment
to command higher wages (the graduate – leading to relationships of mutual support
premium over A levels is estimated to be after students have left our schools.
£100,000, net of tax, over a working lifetime), So there is plenty to do. It will be exciting
and to be in a position to move jobs if they to begin delivering activities that can ensure
choose. This increased earning power and our students are competitive candidates for
career mobility tends to extend to the the university of their choice when they’re 18.
graduate’s family, as well. Graduates are Email University Success Programme Manager
also more likely than non-graduates to enjoy Rose McNamee at rose.mcnamee@arkonline.org
significant personal and social benefits. for more information on the programme.
Despite some progress, university
admission is still heavily influenced by A taste of Oxford
socioeconomic factors: those who attend Last winter, Walworth Academy’s Year 12
fee-paying schools are six times as likely to go (and some Year 11) students took a revision
to a highly selective university as their peers trip to Oxford. Hosted by Oxford Science
at state schools; and 22 times as likely as state Studies at St Edward’s School in the city,
school pupils who receive free school meals. its focus was on preparing them for their
So ARK students need the same opportunities upcoming AS exams while giving a taster
to gain life experiences that supplement good of studying in this historic university city.
grades in supporting successful applications. The teaching mirrored the Oxford tutorial
Globe Academy’s STARZ programme system, with pupils learning in small classes,
(News, page 2) is a good example of this. often of three pupils or fewer. It really focused
Aspiration to top universities like Oxford The University Success Programmes has their minds and left them feeling much better
can be encouraged by local study trips several priorities: prepared for their AS exams. ■

Find out what the Government’s changes to


Calculating the cost university funding will mean for students

Q. What’s changing? Q. So how does a student loan differ Q. So when they earn enough,
Today, universities can charge around £3,000 from a mortgage or credit-card debt? how do the payments work?
per year for their undergraduate degrees; in First, a tuition-fee loan is given to any Student loan repayments are 9% of income
the future they’ll all be able to charge up to eligible student who applies for one, over £21,000. So with a yearly salary of
£6,000 per year – and some, in “exceptional regardless of credit history. Second, there £22,000, a graduate’s total student loan
circumstances”, will be able to charge up to is no upfront cost, with payments only repayments for the year will be 9% of
£9,000 per year. beginning after graduation. Third, the loan £1,000, in 12 monthly payments. This
is written off after 30 years if the graduate amounts to £90 per year in monthly
Q. What if students can’t afford hasn’t repaid in full. Fourth, payments are installments of £7.50.
to pay £9,000 per year? entirely contingent on the graduate’s income,
They don’t have to – tuition fees will and only begin when a graduate earns Q. How does repaying the
continue to be covered by Government- £21,000 or more per year. maintenance loan work?
funded loans, with no credit checks and In exactly the same way as the tuition fee
no mortgage-style repayment regimes. Q. But won’t increases to the loan – the two figures are added together
interest rates make student and paid off together, under the same terms
Q. How will students be able to afford loans far more expensive? and conditions.
their living costs? The interest rate on a student loan
In a similar way to now. Every eligible does not affect the amount the graduate Q. What about bursaries?
student will be entitled to a maintenance pays each month; rather, it affects the In future, if universities want to charge
loan. Students from families with low length of time that the graduate pays it off more than £6,000 per year, they will need
incomes will get a full maintenance grant for. Even though student loan balances will to pass strict tests to prove that they are
as well, and there will be partial grants get bigger, the monthly repayments will not discriminating against poorer students.
available to some students from middle- always be affordable relative to what the They can do this by paying out more of their
income families. graduate earns. extra income in the form of bursaries.

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ARK Literacy

brought to book
ARK Schools has implemented Spellbound In their own words
a variety of initiatives to stimulate On 8 July 2010, Walworth Academy hosted Now in its third year at Burlington Danes,
a passion for reading, writing and the first-ever ARK Spelling Bee, and teams First Story is a writers’ club with a twist: it’s a
discussion among its pupils from Walworth, Charter, Burlington Danes group of Key Stage 4 students with a talent for
and Globe academies all took part in the final creative writing (pictured above). They meet
Early reading skills are developed through a heat, fielding their best spellers from Year 7 to each week with award-winning author,
strong synthetic phonics reading programme Year 9. The air of concentration was electric, Courttia Newland, to experiment with their
that focuses on decoding words through and words such as philanthropy, kaleidoscope imaginations and tap into inner thoughts.
blending pure sounds. Once children have and onomatopoeia bounced off every tongue. The beauty of First Story – a national
basic reading skills, the focus is on reading All of the teams were excellent, and it charity promoting creative writing in British
fluency and comprehension. Due to the large was the students from Globe Academy schools – is that, while it does attract a very
numbers of children with English as a second (pictured below) who eventually won the day. high calibre of student, it opens its doors
language, the challenge is to develop English Next year the competition is expected to to pupils of all abilities. “The atmosphere is
speaking and comprehension as quickly as be even fiercer, as we are hoping that all really great,” enthuses Said Mohammed.
possible so the entire curriculum is accessible. of ARK’s academies will take up the challenge. “You see the other students acting maturely.”
In 2011, we have a wide range of Courttia’s past is significant, too. He
activities taking place in our schools to attended Burlington Danes in the late eighties,
encourage a love of reading and writing. and the students love to hear about his
On 3 March, we celebrate World Book Day misdemeanours. Courttia describes First Story
with posters, parades, books, authors and as “a chance to work with the freshest, most
special events. Schools will also be promoting passionate and talented new voices around”.
reading, writing, speaking and listening with The students are working on an anthology
a separate Literacy Week, and some are also of stories and poems, which will be published.
planning a Poetry Week. This year they all entered a national First
ARK runs a number of literacy-related Story 100-word short story contest, which
programmes, including Debate Mate, as was won by Burlington Danes pupil Fred Gill.
well as the ARK Spelling Bee and First He says: “First Story has inspired me to read
Story, both featured here. more and get more interested in literature.”
For more information on these initiatives, “The students have gone from strength to
contact Sherry Bent sherry.bent@arkonline.org strength,” says the group’s co-ordinator Kate
or Mark Masters mark.masters@arkonline.org Pretsell. “I’m very proud to be part of it!” ■

Surreal Love is a fragile transparent solid, used in windows.


Fear can be found in different sizes and used to write on.
Paper is the sadness you feel when you've done something
you wish you hadn’t, or haven’t done something you
A collaboration Coke is another word for “scared”. wish you had.
by all the A statue is when you want something someone else has. Love is used to build stuff.
students in Regret is a musical instrument with six strings. A lightbulb is when you feel brave.
Burlington Hatred is made from the nutrients of the Earth. Hatred is a material made out of oil.
Danes’ First Evil is the fizzy drink with the unique taste, usually brown. Ink is a feeling of dread or sadness.
Story group
Glass is when you take a strong dislike towards someone. Guilt is cement and clay mixed together to make buildings.
Misery is something plastic you write with. Age is the sadness you feel when you’re away from home.
A wall is when you feel bad about something you've done. Love is the room between things.
Jealousy is the end of life. Love is all the gaps in the universe.
The heart is a yellow fruit with skin you can peel easily. Courage is used for writing.

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P I N
Please get in touch with us
at The Arrow with all your
school news, teaching tips,
staff updates... anything
that would be of interest
to your ARK colleagues.

BOARD
arrow@arkonline.org

myeek
w
Mark Gregory, Vice Principal
and Small School Head,
disappointed, though, bec
eight students were late
into several classrooms

some great, focused lea


This is always a joy.
ause
. I drop
during
the middle part of the day
, seeing
rning.
and reinforce some of our
expectations with staff and
students. After school, I
down to ARK central to
the work we began in Alb
head
continue
any
Gain an MA
ARK Schools aims to
develop and retain first-
wednesday
St Alban’s Academy on teaching like a champ
ion.

monday
Everyone who went is still class teachers and leaders,
excited and enthused abo and is offering a range of
Today’s a busy one. I hav ut
e the possibilities for dev subsidised part-time MA
The day starts with the meetings with ARK staff eloping
traditional about courses at King’s College
meet and greet at the ent extended provision, and great teaching across the
rance to then network.
Friday
the academy – an activit lead some training on the London to help towards
y that sets Doug
the positive tone for the Lemov technique “Stron this. To apply, send your
rest of the g Voice”
day. The head of English with our LSAs. We also It’s target-setting day tod PoIaN
rd expressions of interest to
runs his get our ay. b
half termly plan in respon
se to the
GCSE results in English
and It’s a brilliant opportunity to sarah.thomas@arkonline.
last data cycle past me mathematics from the Nov meet with students and org by Easter.
and we ember their
tweak a couple of things ser ies. They’re really par ents and discuss progre
to encouraging, ss,
maximise its impact. The with a 12 percentage poi expectations and future s RK
detention sees very few
afternoon
increase in the combined
nt
aspirations. Almost every FFooll wuA
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l the lalatetestst new e PoIaN
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To
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for a good start to the we year. Our staff are still pus and the feedback we gat ha t’s ha
ha p
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for more, though, relishi in the questionnaires is theols ne
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academy hits 96%, which
representative of a great
is Thursday It’s a great end to the we
and again illustrates how
ek,
hard
effort Nobody was late today, the staff team works to ma
by all staff to improve this so the ke
area. attendance officer is now outstanding things happen
The attendance officer happy. .
looks I drop into more classroom
s
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ARK
organisations led by the
Come and celebrate! Schools Mu sic Pro gra mm e.
e oth er pa rtners are British
Schools Th
On 14 March, the ARK Gospel Arts, iGospel.u
k and
ma sse d cho ir will
ONE VOICE Newham You ng Peo ple ’s
e to the sta ge at the Queen Ea st
tak Ch oru s, ma nag ed by
n’s
Elizabeth Hall on Londo End Opera.
as pa rt of the
South Bank, With a repertoire rangin
g
unity
London Sing Up Comm fro m fol k to cla ssical , the ONE
Festival: Sing On! VOICE choir is made
up of 400
ring
Sing On! takes place du pupils aged be twe en 5 and
Februa ry and Ma rch , and ls’ eig ht
15 fro m AR K Sch oo
ents
celebrates the achievem academies, along wit h thr ee
5,0 00 you ng
of more than feeder prima rie s. Tic ket s to
rs and
people, artists, teache the eve nt are ava ilab le either
oss
music mentors from acr from participating aca de mi es
do n Sin g Up
London. The Lon or directly fro m AR K Sch oo ls.
ity be ga n wo rki ng please
Commun For further information
er in Jun e 200 9 and is rg.
tog eth e.o
be twe en fou r email music@arkonlin
a collaboration
PoIaN
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INTRodUCE US ANd GET A £2o0 GIfT b

Do you know an outstanding


and we will contact them if
teacher? Refer a great candidate
to something suitable becomes
ARK and, if they’re hired, we’ll than
k available. The scheme is open
you with a £200 Amazon voucher.
to academy staff but not those
There’s no need to wait for the righ
t on leadership contracts.
vacancy, simply send their details
For further information
to our recruitment team at
email Sarah Thomas:
schools.recruitment@arkonline.or
g sarah.thomas@arkonline.org.
PoIaN
rd
b

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