Seven reasons to choose a teaching job in an Ark school

Seven reasons to choose a teaching job in an Ark school

We know that great teaching changes lives. That’s why we make sure that our teacher training programme produces exceptional teachers. We offer our trainees unparalleled support to be the best teachers possible, because we’ve seen the difference a great teacher can make. Here’s why you should train to teach with Ark.

1) We're different. Really.

It's all about our ethos. Ark is an education charity that believes every child should have the chance to go to university or on to the career of their choice. All of Ark's schools are in areas of economic deprivation or historic underachievement. We work where we're needed and – crucially – we are flexible. Our schools are guided by our six pillars in how to make a difference in young people's lives. And our approach is working - our schools and teachers have achieved some of the best results in the country. Department for Education research shows that out of all the major school groups, Ark makes the biggest difference in transforming the lives of disadvantaged school children.

2) We know how important your training really is.

Ark Teacher Training really sets us apart from other providers. With the School Direct approach you’re in the classroom from day one – the School Direct approach - but we won’t drop you in the deep end. We'll be with you all the way. You’ll receive 500 hours of face-to-face training; weekly sessions with your fellow trainees; 120 lessons teaching alongside an outstanding teacher; four short placements in different schools; a minimum of 66 lesson observations to help you develop; access to 23 education experts at Ark; an in-school coach and an Ark tutor to give you feedback; and 190 days of teaching to put this into practice.

And it works. 85% of our trainees were graded ‘outstanding’ last year, and most were offered a place in the network. Newly Qualified Teacher Khedija Doukani was impressed: "This level of support isn’t something you normally get in other schools."

(pdf) Read our teacher development brochure here

3) We're a network, which means choice, support and opportunity.

You get to choose what school you want to work in. Ark has 34 schools, in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. Being part of a network means a large number of career choices and opportunities - but it also represents multiple opportunities to connect with and learn from others. 

Then there are our partner organisations that share our ethos and goals. For our aspiring maths teachers, there’s Mathematics Mastery - an innovative maths teaching framework that is already being used by more than 100 schools. (We are also launching an English Mastery programme too, to promote a love of literacy and literature.) The Future Leaders Trust and Teaching Leaders develop outstanding leaders for schools. We also work with STIR and Frontline, among others. If you want to start your teaching career in an organisation that is passionate about educational excellence and innovation, there's no better place to be than Ark - we’re always looking for new ways to do things.

4) We're international. 

In addition to operating schools in the UK, Ark runs education, child protection and health programmes internationally. We’re partnered with PEAS, an organisation running 26 secondary schools in rural Uganda and Zambia, and Ark recently opened a primary school in South Delhi - our first step in building a small network of schools in India.  Something for our new teachers to aspire to is our Ark Fellows programme, where middle leaders have the chance to work in our international schools or partners for a two-week, expenses-paid placement. "The Ark Fellows programme was an outstanding experience that I will never forget," says Ark Bentworth's Daniela Grasso. "It developed me as a leader and gave me the chance to observe and experience education in a very different setting."

5) You won't be bored. Ever. 

We know that an excellent education means more than just great exam results. It means building pupils’ resilience and character, helping them to be ready for the world. We encourage pupils from different Ark schools to come together and enjoy a wide variety of enrichment events, and that means opportunities for teachers to participate as well. We have spelling bees, debating contests, sports days and maths 'wrangles,' and it all culminates in the Ark Music Gala, a huge event held at a world famous venue where dozens of schools and hundreds of students perform pieces ranging from Adele to Beethoven. See it for yourself: 

6) We're not just an organisation, we're also a  family. 

We know that an excellent education means more than just great exam results. It means building pupils’ confidence and character - helping them to be ready for the world. We encourage pupils from different Ark schools to come together and enjoy a whole range of enrichment events, and that means opportunities for teachers to participate as well. "Every day is different filled with challenges, exciting opportunities and amazing rewards," says Ark Helenswood Academy teacher Charlotte Ward.

We have spelling bees, debating contests, sports days, maths ‘wrangles’ and more. It all culminates in the Ark Music Gala, a huge event held at a world famous venue where dozens of schools and hundreds of students perform pieces ranging from Adele to Beethoven. See it for yourself

7) Last but not least: it's all about the kids. 

You probably guessed that this would be the final reason to become a teacher at an Ark school. But it's true. But don’t just take our word for it…

If you'd like to find out even more reasons to consider becoming a teacher with Ark Teacher Training, email us at teachertraining@arkonline.org, call us on 0203 116 6353 or check out our upcoming information events.