Ark Globe Academy Review 2026: All-Through Excellence from Nursery to Sixth Form

In January 2024, the school community celebrated a remarkable milestone when Irfan, a Year 13 student, received an offer to study geography at Oxford University. The whole academy erupted in pride. Since then, Ark Globe Academy has welcomed two more Oxbridge offers, making it the third student in three years to secure a place at Oxford or Cambridge. This tangible evidence of academic achievement ripples through a school that has deliberately structured itself around university preparation from nursery through sixth form.

Ark Globe Academy is an all-through school serving ages 3 to 18 in Elephant and Castle, Southwark, with an on-site nursery accepting children from nine months old. The school operates as a federation of four small schools, each with its own identity and leadership, unified under an executive principal. This distinctive structure means every student is known as an individual. Class sizes remain manageable, and pastoral oversight is genuine rather than administrative. The school's Ofsted rating is Good, awarded in 2023, with the inspection highlighting pupils' pride in their school and leaders' high aspirations for every child, regardless of starting point.

The sixth form has achieved particular recognition. All sixth form leavers received university offers in the 2023-24 cohort, with 80% securing places at Russell Group universities. The sixth form itself ranks in the top 1% of sixth forms in England (FindMySchool ranking) and received the Sixth Form of the Year award at the Ark Education Summit in 2019. For families seeking a state school pathway through to higher education, Ark Globe offers genuine university preparation without private school fees.

Ark Globe Academy in Elephant and Castle, London has a clear sense of identity shaped by its setting and community. Students stream through security with purpose, greeting staff by name. The building itself tells the school's story through artwork: wall displays feature "Globe wings" which pupils design to represent their aspirations. The motto painted throughout, "We are wings, and we want to fly," is neither cheesy nor aspirational in the way many school mottos can be. Instead, it captures something students genuinely seem to believe about themselves here.

The small school model fundamentally shapes daily experience. Rather than a comprehensive secondary of 2,000 students, Ark Globe deliberately splits into age-based communities: a primary school for ages 4-11, two secondary schools for ages 11-14, one secondary for ages 14-16, and a sixth form for ages 16-18. Teachers know every pupil by name. Parents know the leadership team. There is genuine security in this structure, particularly for younger secondary students navigating the often turbulent Years 7 and 8. The Ofsted report noted that students "feel proud of the school," and this pride is visible in how they speak about it.

Matt Jones OBE has led the school since taking on the executive principal role. His statement to inspectors reflected the school's authentic mission: "We believe in our pupils, and from the day they join us, we do everything we can to help them succeed." This is not marketing language. The school's Culture Pyramid, visible throughout the building, sets out purpose, beliefs, and values explicitly. It shapes everything from how behaviour is managed to how teachers interact with struggling learners. Staff unity around this mission is palpable in interviews and reports, suggesting that collective commitment rather than compliance drives the school.

The partnership with Ark Schools network, a multi-academy trust of over 40 schools, provides resource and expertise without eroding individual school identity. Ark Globe leverages this network actively, for example, students access performances at major London venues including the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, and BBC studios through Ark Schools' collective partnerships.

Primary Performance

At Key Stage 2 in 2024, 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to 62% in England. This 21-percentage-point gap is substantial. The school ranks 7,725th in England for primary results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the typical performance band for the middle 35% of primary schools. Locally in Southwark, it ranks 47th among primary schools.

Drilling into subject specifics: in reading, the average scaled score was 105 (against the England average of 100), indicating students are performing consistently above expected standards. Mathematics scaled score of 104 similarly suggests solid above-average attainment. Greater depth achievement, pupils demonstrating mastery rather than mere competence, reached 20% in writing, well above the England average of 8%. These figures suggest the school catches students effectively from diverse starting points and moves them forward.

GCSE Performance

Secondary results show consistent progress. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.9, which is slightly above the England average of 45.9. Progress 8, the measure of value-added progress from starting points to GCSE, was +0.22, meaning students made above-average progress from their KS4 entry points. The school ranks 1,275th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), also placing it in the typical performance band, the middle 35% of secondary schools. Locally in Southwark, the school ranks 15th.

The English Baccalaureate measure, entry across sciences, languages, history/geography, and English or maths, shows 31% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above, above the England average of 25%. This suggests broader academic breadth among the cohort rather than concentration in humanities or STEM alone.

A-Level and Sixth Form Performance

This is where Ark Globe's distinctive profile emerges. The sixth form achieved 68% of A-level grades at A*-B in 2024, compared to 47% in England. At the highest tier, 7% of all grades were A*, nearly three times the England average. This dramatic improvement from GCSE is the signature of the sixth form experience here.

The sixth form ranks 546th in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national strong tier, the top 25% of sixth forms in England. Locally in Southwark, it ranks 7th. When combined rankings across GCSE and A-level are considered, the school's overall position is even stronger.

What explains this trajectory? The sixth form's focus on university preparation begins from day one. Entry requirements are clear and non-negotiable. Once admitted, students are immersed in an environment where every adult believes they belong at a top-tier university. This isn't false optimism; it's evidence-based aspiration. The mentoring programme with Oxford University, mentioned by sixth form students, provides structure and role models. The dedicated careers guidance focuses exclusively on university pathways.

The impact of this sixth form intensity becomes clear in destination data. In the 2023-24 cohort, 73% of leavers progressed to university, 11% entered employment, and 3% started apprenticeships. All sixth form leavers received university offers, a notable achievement in England's competitive HE market.

Beyond the headline figure, 80% of those offers were from Russell Group universities, the country's most selective research-intensive institutions. Beyond Oxbridge, students regularly secure places at Imperial College, UCL, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, Warwick, and similar elite institutions. In 2023-24, seven Sixth Form students received medical school offers, suggesting depth in STEM subjects and science preparation.

The Oxbridge pipeline is modest but real. The school recorded one Oxbridge acceptance in 2024 (the Oxford geographer mentioned earlier), with seven additional Oxbridge applications that cycle. This places the school among selective schools in England in terms of conversion rate.

The sixth form's track record of 100% receiving university offers is unusual for a state school and reflects deliberate selection and intensive support. Students who do not meet sixth form entry requirements are supported toward apprenticeships, T-levels, and other alternatives, but progression to a leading university is the institution's expectation for those who are admitted.

Curriculum Approach

The school's curriculum philosophy is explicit: education is "much more than a qualification; it is a way of being that results in an empowered young person who is able to secure a life of purpose and meaning." This statement guides everything from subject design to pastoral structures.

At primary level, the school has adopted a reading-centred approach. The Ofsted report highlighted the school's "determination that every child, no matter what their starting point, will become a fluent reader." This focus continues through secondary, with older year groups reading to younger children, creating a literacy culture that extends beyond English lessons.

Digital resources are embedded throughout. Every student from Year 3 onwards receives a Chromebook and access to high-quality digital tools. Computer science students collaborate with external organisations, a recent example involved 15 students participating in a Logitech design challenge to create the "mouse of the future," working with Logitech engineers over six weeks.

At secondary, the school offers a broad range of subjects with separate sciences from Year 7. GCSE options span traditional humanities, languages, creative arts, and technical qualifications including BTEC courses. At A-level, 20+ subjects are available, including both traditional academic subjects and technical pathways such as BTEC Sport and Exercise Science (equivalent to three A-levels).

Teaching Quality

The Ofsted report noted that "pupils achieve well across a range of subjects and stages in the school" and that "teachers have good knowledge of subjects they teach." This is reinforced by the school's membership in Ark Schools, which provides staff with sector-leading training and expertise across the network. Teacher deployment is strategic, specialist staff in music, PE, and technology are evident, and the school has invested in subject leaders with clear accountability for outcomes.

Ark Globe Academy has earned designated specialist status in performing arts with an emphasis on music. This is not a peripheral offer but integral to the school's identity and daily experience.

Music: A Central Pillar

Every student is offered free instrumental lessons weekly. The instrument range is extensive: strings (violin, cello), woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone), brass (trumpet, cornet, tenor horn, tuba, euphonium), percussion (drums, djembe), and keyboard options (piano in classical, jazz, and pop styles). Students can learn electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or electric bass as alternatives.

The performing groups provide multiple pathways for different ability levels. The junior orchestra accommodates younger musicians alongside the string ensemble and brass ensemble. The musical theatre club and dedicated drama clubs ensure non-orchestral performers have outlets. The school choir is active, and a festive concert bringing primary, secondary, and sixth form musicians together demonstrates integration across phases.

The school's participation in the Ark Schools Music Hub is significant. Last year alone, Ark Globe students performed at the Barbican, the Mayor's Office, Royal Festival Hall, and BBC studios. External partnerships with BEAMS, Southwark Music Service, Soundcastle, CBBC, Multi Storey Orchestra, and others provide workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities beyond what the school's own resources could offer.

Drama and Performing Arts

Drama thrives across phases. The school hosts end-of-term productions, and drama club participants perform regularly. The school's performance space accommodates larger productions, enabling ambition beyond typical school productions. The theatre-scale outcomes emerge from genuine access to dramatic training, not just enthusiasts. The Ofsted inspection specifically noted the school's artwork and performance culture as strengths.

Sports: Elite and Inclusive

Sport is positioned as central to wellbeing and development. The PE department operates an extensive extra-curricular timetable: before school (7:30-8:15am), breaktime (10:40-10:55am), lunchtime (12:45-1:15pm), and after school (3:15-4:15pm). Options include football, basketball, netball, volleyball, table tennis, handball, trampolining, and athletics, catering to both team and individual sports.

The Elite Player Programme (EPP) is the school's most distinctive athletic initiative. Aimed at Years 7-9, it combines intensive training with academic support for students with genuine sporting potential. Three sports are included: basketball, athletics, and football. Students in the EPP receive dedicated training sessions weekly and are supported toward county representation, academy trials, and scholarship pathways.

The junior boys athletics team achieved national recognition by finishing runners-up in the ESAA English Schools' Track and Field Cup 2023 National Finals, a remarkable achievement for an inner-city London state school. Individual students have claimed medals in jump events, hammer, and discus at both London championships and national events. The school invested in a long jump pit on its own campus, enabling year-round training that has directly contributed to success.

The Ark Globe Football Academy offers a distinctive sixth form pathway. Students can combine BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science with a partnership involving Fulham Football. Players receive minimum 6 hours of training weekly from Fulham coaches, compete in weekly fixtures, and access showcase matches and exposure to Fulham's professional environment. The BTEC qualification is valued as equivalent to three A-levels, enabling progression to universities or employment in sport and fitness.

Swimming provision is structured: Years 4-6 participate in block swimming lessons at Castle Leisure Centre, Elephant and Castle, ensuring baseline water competence.

STEM and Technology

Computer science students work with real-world partners. The Logitech challenge described earlier demonstrates how STEM extends beyond curriculum content into applied design and professional engagement. Programming club, coding workshops, and project-based learning are standard. The provision of Chromebooks to all students from Year 3 enables students to develop digital literacy in authentic contexts.

Extended Enrichment Programme

Beyond regular clubs, the school hosts three full enrichment days annually with specific themes: Culture, Heritage and Passion; Futures and Professionalism; and Community and Leadership. These days move students outside classroom settings into workshops, seminars, professional experiences, and community projects. This structured approach to cultural capital, ensuring families aren't solely reliant on home resources to access diverse experiences, is particularly valuable in a diverse urban area.

Academic Support

Homework clubs, catch-up classes, Saturday GCSE booster sessions, and Easter revision classes are available. Year 11 students specifically access maths and English revision weekends before GCSE exams. Year 10 students have accessed mentoring partnerships with Oxford University, a pathway toward sixth form and higher education.

Clubs with Named Specificity

After-school clubs include poetry club, programming club, book clubs, art club, choir, debating, cinema and film club, and many more rotating termly options. The primary passport programme for younger pupils provides structured enrichment opportunities.

Community Engagement

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is available, students participate in local volunteering through dedicated enrichment days, and the school runs successful fundraising events including an annual charity market in Bermondsey and soup and bread sale in Borough Market. Students create community murals, volunteer at London Marathon events, and perform concerts for local community members. The Academy Council runs an international event reflecting the school's diversity. This structured engagement builds social responsibility beyond classroom boundaries.

Primary Admissions

Entry to reception is coordinated by Southwark LA. The school received 74 applications for 30 places in the latest data, indicating oversubscription of 2.47 applications per place. Allocation follows LA rules: after looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, places go by distance.

Secondary Admissions

Entry to Year 7 is similarly oversubscribed, with 306 applications for 82 places (3.73 applications per place). This high demand reflects the school's reputation for results and safe, supportive environment. Again, LA coordination and distance-based allocation apply after priority categories.

Sixth Form Entry

Sixth form entry is selective, not automatic. Entry requirements are published and students must meet minimum grade thresholds. This selectivity explains the leap in results at A-level: entry cohorts are carefully curated by achievement at GCSE. Students not meeting sixth form entry are actively supported toward alternative pathways including apprenticeships and technical qualifications.

Ark Globe Primary offers breakfast club from 7:30-8:30am and after-school care from 3:30-6:00pm daily. This wraparound care provision is important for working families and reflects the school's commitment to service accessibility. Primary hours run 8:50am-3:20pm.

The school is located on Harper Road in Elephant and Castle. Transport links are strong via the Northern Line (Elephant & Castle station), bus routes, and cycling infrastructure. The area is increasingly connected with new development ongoing in the neighbourhood.

On-site catering provides fresh, healthy lunches daily, prepared by school kitchen staff. The emphasis on nutritious meals reflects broader wellbeing commitment.

For students requiring lunch in sixth form, the location offers proximity to Borough Market, nearby restaurants, and diverse food options reflecting London's culinary diversity.

The small school model directly impacts pastoral care effectiveness. With 200-300 students per school within the federation, form tutors and pastoral leaders know individual students well. The inspection report noted that pupils behave well in and outside lessons and that teachers routinely check learning to help pupils keep pace.

The school collaborates with Place2Be, a children's mental health charity, to provide dedicated support. This partnership brings specialist expertise into school without requiring families to navigate external mental health services alone, a particularly important provision in an urban area where access can be fragmented.

Behaviour expectations are high but clear. The school received an Outstanding grade for behaviour from Ofsted, with inspectors noting that "right from the start of early years, staff set high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Throughout the school, these high expectations of pupils' behaviour continue." The small school model enables consistent enforcement; students can't "get lost" in a large system.

For students joining secondary from primary, transition arrangements are structured. Open days, bridge activities, and gradual introduction to new buildings support adjustment. The culture of reading and universal literacy expectations create continuity rather than rupture.

Oversubscription at entry points. Both primary and secondary are significantly oversubscribed. Securing a place depends on living close enough or having an EHCP naming the school. Distance-based allocation is the norm in Southwark, and Ark Globe's popularity means that distance threshold will be tighter each year. Families should not assume proximity to the school guarantees a place; apply early and verify current distance thresholds with the LA.

Sixth form selectivity means not all Y11 students progress. This is not a criticism, the selective sixth form explains strong A-level results. However, families should understand that Y11 students who don't meet sixth form entry requirements must transition elsewhere. The school supports these students toward apprenticeships and other pathways, but it's a real transition point.

High aspiration culture suits self-directed learners. The school's relentless focus on university preparation and high expectations is genuine and effective, but it suits students who are motivated by academic challenge. Students who thrive on creative self-direction or who find structured academic environments constraining should evaluate carefully whether the culture aligns with their learning style.

Ark Globe Academy is a school that has successfully married ambitious academic outcomes with inclusive admissions. It's a state school delivering sixth form results competitive with independent schools, yet it admits a comprehensive intake across all phases. The small school model provides genuine pastoral security without sacrificing academic rigour. The specialist status in performing arts ensures every student can pursue creative expression through multiple outlets, music, drama, art. The Elite Player Programme and Fulham Football Academy provide pathways for students with sporting ambition.

The school works because its leadership believes in the pupils it serves and acts on that belief consistently. The Culture Pyramid, the reading focus, the university preparation pathway, these aren't initiatives but expressions of core institutional commitment.

Best suited to families in or near the Elephant and Castle area seeking first-class state education through to sixth form within a school that will push their child toward higher education and leadership. The main challenge is securing admission; once accepted, the education is exceptional.