The Ark Model

The Ark Model aims to:

• Acknowledge that not all schools are ready for the next thing at the same time.
• Ensure the building blocks are secure across all schools to ensure improvements can be
  sustained.
• Articulate the balance between alignment and individual excellence.
• Make it easier to navigate the resources and support we have.

The Ark Model is made up of:

One page overviews

These act as aide memoires for each key area of school provision.

Foundational Expectations

The foundations that a school needs to master to be a good Ark school – they incorporate the statutory, Ark and Ofsted expectations.

Toolkits and resources

These support leaders to develop the practice in their schools.

Models of excellence

Case studies of schools that have achieved excellence in each area.

Schools use the Ark Model in the following ways:

• Providing questions across each area to support line management
• Encouraging big picture/ long-term planning, including writing development plans (AIPs)
• Action planning following feedback from a review, monitoring visit or audit
• Writing the SEF (or any other review of provision)
• Auditing the basics (the Foundational Expectations)
• Induction/ training for new leaders
• Planning and building out their provision