Join our network

Ark has a strong record of success in improving schools. Ark primary schools are above average in progress scores for reading, writing, and maths individually and combined: 75% of Ark primaries meet the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined against 60% nationally.

Ark has a highly successful track record and has worked with a range of schools, some of which were previously in special measures, rapidly achieving impressive and sustained improvement. Of the 25 challenging schools to join the Ark network, 13 had previously been rated inadequate or in special measures by Ofsted – 76% of those inspected since joining our network have now been rated as Good or Outstanding.

One of Ark’s ventures (programmes Ark incubate and develop which are designed to impact the education sector as a whole) – is Ark Curriculum Plus. Their curriculum programmes have been designed by subject experts and has generated excellent results for our schools, leading to Ark schools outperforming maintained schools. Ark Curriculum Plus is used across the network in order to ensure that we are doing the very best for our pupils. Staff within our schools support on the continued development of this curricula; curriculum implementation is managed within schools.

At Primary level, there are two mandatory core curriculum programmes that our schools use (Read Write Inc for Phonics and Maths Mastery). In discussion through the conversion process, the school would decide whether to continue with their existing curriculum offer for writing, science, and non-core subjects.  If further support was needed in other curriculum areas, we can provide support, training, and existing programmes that have been implemented effectively in some of our other schools.

No. All of our schools are non-selective.

Your contract is protected via TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Rights) regulations. As part of this, Ark would undertake a consultation process where you will be formally told that management of your school is transferring to Ark Schools as well and why and when this would happen. You would be told about any legal, economic or social implications, as well as any measures that Ark Schools might take that would affect you – for instance, staff may be paid on a new date.

You can remain on your current contract for as long as you want to – you won’t be forced to take an Ark contract. However, if there is a reasonable change in contractual terms or you are offered a new role, you will be offered an Ark contract. If you choose to change contract, you will be offered an Ark contract.

Teaching staff on Ark contracts are expected to be available from 8.00 to 17.00, which includes time for things such as planning, working collaboratively, or running extra-curricular activities. We know that teachers often work well beyond the school day.

We want to make sure that your effort is reflected in your contract and is compensated competitively, which is why teachers at Ark are paid 2.5% more than the main scale.

No, you are employed by your school so any move between schools will have to be agreed to first. You may decide that you’d like to work at another Ark school or in the central team – joining Ark opens up a lot of opportunities and pathways for career development.

Ark Learning Institute is our centre of excellence for professional development. We have a strong reputation for providing staff, teachers, and leaders with high quality professional development through extensive central and regional training and CPD opportunities. We invest heavily in the development of our staff through each stage of their career:

• Trainees access exceptional development through Ark Teacher Training: our Ofsted Outstanding rated trainee teacher programme.
• Middle Leaders are supported through our in-house NPQML and SL programmes.
• Experienced Principals can access personal coaching and undertake professional coaching qualifications.

Staff in Ark schools also get twice the standard number of training days per year.

We have seven recognised national unions (UNISON, UNITE, NEU, NASUWT, GMB, NAHT and ASCL) and holds termly meetings with the national joint council to discuss a range of topics. In addition, JCCs are held at school or regional level with a local focus.

Holdback is set at 5% of school’s GAG (excluding elements such as pupil premium funding or other grants). This funds many of the core services schools receive support with, including HR, Safeguarding, Governance, SEND, and education support.

With support and guidance from a dedicated central Finance Manager and Regional Finance Director, schools set their own budgets. The Principal is responsible for delivering a sustainable budget in line with the school’s priorities.

As a multi-academy trust, we receive an annual SCA grant to enable us to meet the capital needs of our schools. The Central team will work with you to discuss where capital spend might be appropriate for the school. The Central team also have dedicated capital project managers who manage projects from start to finish.

Some policies – designed and written by the relevant central team – apply to all of our schools. Many policies will be tailored to your school’s specific needs, however. The relevant Central team will work with the school to develop these, and they will be reviewed on a regular basis to make sure that they continue to represent the vision and values of your school.

Each Ark school has its own distinct, vision, values, and uniform. Some schools who join the network use the transition as an opportunity to refresh – including changing name, logo, uniform, and vision. Ark would support you if you felt it was worthwhile to do this.

All of our schools share commonalities, such as the prefix ‘Ark’ and their logos containing the Ark dots. This is to ensure that there is cohesion across the network, and so that all of our schools feel part of the network.

The centralised services the school receive include:

• Finance, including a dedicated school finance manager
• External relations
• HR business partners, including a named contact for your school
• Professional development, curriculum, and teacher training
• IT and data
• Estates
• Safeguarding and Inclusion