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Ark Sport

The Ark Sport programme promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides opportunities for students to try new activities, develop their skills, and compete against other schools in a series of network-wide events throughout the year.
Students competing in hurdles at Ark’s annual athletics championship

We believe in the power of sport to help young people be both physically and mentally healthy. Access to a quality physical education and sport should be an entitlement for every child. ​

​Ark Sport was created to ensure every Ark school has a vibrant sports culture that boosts wellbeing and nurtures talent. ​The programme has five distinct strands of activity:​

  1. Universal access
    ​Our aim is for every student to develop a love of movement, and a deep connection to their physical self and wellbeing.
  2. Providing competition at network-level
    ​We hold events that provide students with opportunities to represent their school and compete at a local and even national level.
  3. Supporting and accelerating talent
    ​There are many promising athletes in our network. We want to give budding talent something to aspire to, and to help them get there.
  4. Equal opportunity and enjoyment for girls 
    We actively promote increased uptake of – and enjoyment by – girls in sport at all levels.​
  5. Supporting our teachers and coaches
    ​An inspirational coach can make all the difference. Ark Sport is training brilliant and enthusiastic teachers and coaches who will pass on their skills and passion for sports.
Girls representing their Ark schools at the network-wide athletics championships

Sport helps with mental health and develops soft skills, but it’s also how young people discover who they are and what they enjoy. We must continue to invest in girls’ futures, remove barriers, and provide equal school and grassroots sports opportunities.

Elizabeth Poole Head of PE at Ark Alexandra in Hastings
2,500

Students are more engaged in sport than ever before. In its first year, nearly one in ten Ark students (2,500 in total) represented their school in network-wide competitions.

90%

90 percent of Ark teachers feel their students have become more confident. 70 percent believe sports is improving mental health and 60 percent believe it’s improving attendance.​

  • Impact27th July 2023

    Sporting excellence: Ark Globe

    In July 2023, Ark Globe’s Junior Boys Athletics Team came second in the country in the English Schools National Athletics finals.
    Ark Globe Academy
  • Impact23rd January 2024

    The transformative power of sports

    The Ark Sport programme allows students to try new activities and have different experiences throughout the year.
    Ark Franklin Primary Academy

Help make sport accessible to all

Find out how you can partner with us to make sports opportunities and development programmes available at all Ark students.

Support Ark Sport

Find out more about our approach

Curriculum and assessmentDigital learningEnrichmentInclusion and SENDLeadershipMental healthReadingTeacher development