Ark Victoria Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The number of pupils on roll more than doubled at the start of this academic year. Prior to September 2018, the school catered for children in the early years and pupils in key stages 1 and 3. It now has pupils in all age groups, from the Nursery to Year 10.

Leaders have managed the enormous change in the school's structure very well. They have put in place strong systems that enable the school to function as one coherent unit despite the complexities of its size and physical layout. Leaders set clear expectations for how teachers will teach.

They provide substantial training and support for teachers. As result, the quality of teaching is... strong and continues to improve. Teachers expect much of their pupils.

They set clear rules about how pupils will prepare for, and behave in, lessons. As a result, pupils arrive at lessons ready to work hard. Some pupils feel that staff apply the rules too rigidly.

Pupils understand and respect the rules but say that they want to be trusted to work hard without such strict sanctions. Sometimes, less confident teachers stick too closely to the agreed lesson structure. When this happens, it limits the extent to which pupils can reflect, think, challenge their understanding and so fully deepen their knowledge.

Children achieve well in the early years. They settle quickly into school life because they are safe, happy and interested in the activities provided for them. Outcomes for pupils in other year groups have improved steadily since the academy opened.

They are particularly strong at key stage 1. Pupils achieve well in other phases too. However, some of the more able pupils could do better in key stages 2 to 4.

They do not always make the progress they should to reach higher standards in some subjects. Pupils conduct themselves well in class and at breaktimes. They walk around the vast school site sensibly.

They are polite to adults and show respect for each other. The school is well led. The Ark Trust (the trust) sets a clear strategic direction and holds leaders to account for meeting its aims.

The local governing body has an accurate view of the school's performance. Senior leaders monitor the school's effectiveness well and take decisive action, when needed, to improve its quality. Leaders are building a curriculum to reflect the fact that the school now provides all-through education, from the early years to key stage 4.

Although this is still under development, early signs are very positive.

Information about this school

Ark Victoria Academy opened in September 2015 as an academy sponsored by the Ark Trust. Its predecessor school was a newly opened all-through school.

When it opened, the school had pupils in the early years and Year 7 only. By July 2018, the school had pupils in early years, Years 1 and 2 and Years 7 to 9. In September 2018, following consultation, the school amalgamated with Ark Chamberlain Academy, a nearby junior school.

Ark Chamberlain catered for pupils in Years 3 to 6. The two schools now share one site. The school is governed by the Ark Trust.

Some governance functions are delegated to a local governing body. The school uses a provider called 'Work N Learn', to access alternative provision for pupils when needed. Only one pupil currently attends.

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