New Ark school welcomes Year 7 students

Tuesday 29th September 2020

More than 180 Year 7 students have begun their secondary education at the new Ark Blake Academy.

Ark Blake, a non-selective secondary school located in a brand-new building on Morland Road in Croydon, opened its doors earlier this month.

The school boasts high quality facilities including a four court sports hall, an activity studio with sprung floor for dance, fitness suite, 3G pitch on the roof, multi-use games area on the playground, drama studio, suite for music, recital and practice rooms, fully stocked library, brand new classrooms for all subjects including ICT suites, DT rooms, textiles and 3 large art rooms.

Founding Principal Peter Shaw, said: “Since planning our opening, all our lives have changed considerably, and that is why I am particularly excited to see this day arrive and welcome students through our doors. Together with my outstanding team of teachers and school staff, I look forward to building a school that will provide children in East Croydon with an excellent academic education, based on Ark Blake’s strongly held values, for generations to come.

“Our goal has been to create a calm environment with clear routines for new students; provide an exciting and productive school learning environment for the start of their school lives whilst ensuring it is safe and adaptable.

“At Ark Blake Academy, we believe that each of our pupils is born with unique potential for greatness and can take responsibility to achieve this. We believe that by aiming high, working hard and living according to Ark Blake values, our pupils can ‘seize greatness’ and lead lives that bring fulfilment and strengthen their community.”

Expanding Ark’s South London cluster of schools, Ark Blake Academy will be located a few hundred metres from Ark Oval Primary Academy in Cherry Orchard Road.