Ark Atwood Primary Academy

Ark Atwood Primary Academy, a  4-11 primary academy, opened in 2011 and is growing year on year. It is a mixed, non-denominational two form entry primary school for local children in north Westminster.

Our vision is for every child at Ark Atwood Primary Academy to fulfil his or her potential. We will do everything possible to ensure that every child achieves year level expectations and above, every year. We won’t accept excuses and we won’t make any either. We take responsibility for nurturing and developing the personal qualities of every child and will emphasise the importance of exemplary behaviour.

We believe that children should feel secure and cannot learn effectively unless they do so. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to us to follow our strict safeguarding and behaviour policies.  

We provide our staff with the tools and support to instil a strong learning culture in their classrooms. In order to deliver the best training and network events, we offer twice as many training days as standard. Our training doesn’t stop once our teachers reach a certain level or learn a certain skill – we support our staff throughout their whole career, from starting out as a trainee to running their own school. 

Curriculum

All children need a firm mastery of English and mathematics as early as possible. Our first priority is to build a secure foundation in literacy and numeracy as the basis for all other learning. Pupils will be taught to read, write and work with numbers fluently and confidently. Where pupils need extra support it will be provided, to ensure that every child reaches and exceeds nationally expected standards.Our longer day provides time for a rich curriculum, stimulating new interests and enhancing children’s learning experiences. 

Extra-curricular enrichment activities are at the core of the Ark Atwood Primary Academy community. They are key to our learning and how we have fun. Collective participation in the performing arts builds a sense of community and develops skills in self-expression and performance. We will invite professional artists, actors, writers and musicians into school and offer a range of trips and events to stimulate learning and broaden pupils’ interests and experience.

Ofsted

Ark Atwood Primary Academy was inspected in July 2013 and graded "outstanding" in all areas. 

“Inspirational leadership by the headteacher, supported by the committed team of teachers, non-teaching staff and governors, has created an excellent learning environment in which all pupils can fulfil their potential. There have been exceptional developments in all aspects of the academy since it opened."

Read more about Ofsted's observations or see the the full report.  

The Ark network 

Ark Atwood Primary Academy is part of Ark, an international charity transforming lives through education. Ark has 38 schools across the UK in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. Ark exists to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. Ark schools are all non-selective and in areas where they can make the biggest difference.  

Read more about Ark: http://arkonline.org/