News20th August 2025

Ark awarded prestigious ‘Research Mark Plus’ accreditation 

Ark has been awarded the ‘Research Mark Plus’ accreditation – the highest recognition for schools and trusts with a deeply embedded and sustained research culture. 

Ark Learning Institute

 
Ark is only the second multi academy trust to achieve this top tier award. 

The accreditation, issued by the Chartered College of Teaching, is made up of six overarching categories. Ark received the top outcome in five of these, with assessors praising Ark’s commitment to evidence-based practice, strong continuing professional development and leadership development, and sector-leading collaboration with other schools and trusts. 

The assessors discussed the application at length with teachers across the Ark network to get a thorough understanding of day-to-day practice in schools. 

Their report said that “senior leaders actively engage in and promote research” and that “research and evidence underpin trust-wide improvement”. They highlighted that “leaders stay current around effective pedagogical approaches and relevant research and evidence, sharing knowledge across the network”. 

The report also noted Ark’s “strong approach to collaboration” and the network’s range of partnerships including curriculum trials with the Education Endowment Foundation, joint research with Ambition Institute, and our cross-sector work with Lift Schools, Ofsted and IPPR. 

Isabel Instone, Ark Network Lead for Secondary Professional Development, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Research Mark Plus accreditation. It reflects our commitment to provide top quality professional development at every level while driving real change in education.”