Make a difference

where it matters most

Why join an Ark school?
 2

What we do
Ark is a network of 39 schools in the UK, Being part of the
in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Ark network has
Portsmouth. been incredibly
beneficial to my
Each of our schools has its own distinctive character, development over the
reflecting its local community. Our aim is to create years. I don’t think
outstanding schools that give every student, my career would
regardless of their background, the opportunity to go have accelerated
to university or pursue the career of their choice. the way it has if
there wasn’t room
to grow. I started as
a Reception teacher
and am now Head of
Primary – that kind
of rapid trajectory
over the course of 8
years is rare.

Mide Ola-Said,

39 28,500
schools Head of Primary,
Ark John Keats
Academy
students

4
locations
London
41%
Birmingham Hastings
of our students are
eligible for Free School
Meals compared to
Portsmouth
21% nationally
 3

Why work with us?

At Ark, the development of our staff is one
of our top priorities, at every level and in
every role.

Joining an Ark school allows you to progress your career,

choosing the direction you want to take it in. Whether Working for Ark means
that be in one of our new or transition schools, a school access to a wide range of
in another region in the UK, as part of our dedicated opportunities for fantastic
central team or by working with one of our innovative career progression. Access
Ark Ventures, each focusing on tackling some of the most to high quality courses
challenging problems facing young people. and support from both
in-school leaders and
At Ark, there are plenty of diverse career opportunities. the central team has
From our Network Lead roles that allow you to work enabled me to progress
across our schools to share your expertise to our Ark from Middle Leadership
Teacher Training Tutor roles providing the highest to Senior Leadership in
quality training and support for both trainee teachers school, as well as take
and their in-school mentors. You will also have access up a seconded position
to unique development opportunities alongside your as Head of Ark Teacher
existing role in school, allowing you to focus on your Training in the central
subject specialism or harness your passion for a team for a year.
particular area of education, sharing this with other Laura Stone,
schools in the network. Vice Principal,
Ark Putney Academy

Our values

Aim high Be brave Be kind Keep learning

We have high We take on challenges We care about what We’re open to new
expectations of and are prepared to we do and how we ideas and we learn
ourselves and of each say and do difficult work with each from our mistakes
other things if that’s what’s other as much as our
needed successes
 4

Benefits
Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale

Twice as many training days as standard

One of the best things
Generous pension scheme – a salary average about Ark Elvin and
defined benefit pension scheme, meaning you being part of the
build up a guaranteed amount in your pension, Ark network is the
payable for every year of your retirement great professional
development
opportunities I’ve had.
Access to Ark Rewards – a scheme offering
It really is a place where
savings from over 3,000 major retailers
you go to develop and
grow. You’re looked
Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for after whether you’re an
season tickets or to buy a bicycle Early Career Teacher
or looking for headship.
Gym discounts – offering up to 40% off your At every stage you’re
supported in your career
local gym
to help you be your best.

Access to the Employee Assistance Programme Meryl Noronha,

– providing free, confidential counselling, legal Head of Year 9,
Ark Elvin Academy
advice and a range of different support

Relocation packages available of up to £3,000

We are a Real Living Wage employer*

*not applicable to apprentices or contractors
 5

Training and
development at Ark
At Ark we are committed to providing you with high-quality
professional learning throughout your career. Staff at Ark have
access to a variety of virtual and face-to-face training sessions
and experiences, including nationally accredited development
programmes, all designed to meet the needs of our schools and our
people. So no matter what your role, we’ll support you to be the best
that you can be.

Train to teach with

Ark Teacher Training

Our ‘Outstanding’ Initial Teacher Training programme

that allows graduates and career changers to learn from
some of the best teachers and leaders in the profession.
You’ll be based in a school from day one, having an
impact straight away. You’ll receive support and training
throughout and will have a dedicated coach and tutor
to guide you through. The programme offers the perfect
blend of theory and practice to help you become the very
best teacher you can be.

Find out more here

 6

Training and development at Ark

Early Career Teachers

We’ve used our expertise in teacher development to create a supportive two-year Early Career
Teacher programme.

Throughout the programme, teachers are supported by a dedicated in-school Early Careers
Framework Leader and Coach to ensure they successfully pass their induction period and continue
to impact the classroom positively.

The programme offers a blend of clinics, conferences and self-study modules as well as dedicated in-
school mentoring based on the following key principles:

• Regular, bite-sized learning is key to ensuring • Practice makes permanent – sustained changes
important information is retained only occur if we keep practising those changes,
this is at the heart of our programme
• Examples of good classroom practice are critical
to see what theory looks like in practice • Familiar routines are vital to embed learning
and we use a set of simple, repeating professional
development patterns

Class Teachers

We know that classroom teachers are the ones with the power to make a difference. From bespoke school-
based training to a vast online learning platform, you will have access to a diverse range of resources
carefully selected to ensure you can be the best teacher you can be:

• School-based training - weekly sessions will • Ark Learning Platform – access professional
include pedagogical research and models of best development and learning opportunities via our
practice dedicated platform including eLearning courses
and development programme resources.
• Network Days - take place three times per
year and are an opportunity for teachers from • Great Teacher Rubric - a tool specifically
across the network to come together to work designed to support and evaluate our teachers to
collaboratively and support one another through help them continually improve.
sharing best practice to improve teaching and
learning strategies, offering deep dives into data • Instructional Coaching
and enhancing subject knowledge.
• Co-planning
 7

Training and development at Ark

Middle Leaders

As a middle leader, not only do you have an impact in the classroom every day, but your leadership creates
outstanding departments, inspires others and transforms learning environments. You’ll have access to
nationally-accredited programmes and high-quality in-house training all designed to help you lead and
drive improvements in your school as well as developing you into a strong and successful leader:

• NPQLT (NPQ for Leading Teaching) • Mentoring Training

• NPQLTD (NPQ for Leading Teacher • Ark Learning Platform

Development)
• Ark Teaching School Hub – offering additional
• NPQLBC (NPQ for Leading Behaviour and professional development opportunities for Ark
Culture) staff including Leverage Leadership programmes.

Senior Leaders

There is room to grow at every stage of your

career – even as a senior leader. With Ark,
you will be joining a team of successful school
leaders committed to supporting each other
and sharing new ideas and best practice. From
nationally-accredited development programmes,
to residential trips with fellow leaders:

• NPQSL (NPQ for Senior Leadership)

• NPQH (NPQ for Headship)

• CPQP (Coaching Professional Qualification

for Principals)

• CPQEL (Coaching Professional Qualification

for Executive Leaders)

• Ark Learning Platform

• Ark Teaching School Hub – offering

additional professional development
opportunities for Ark staff including
Leverage Leadership programmes.
 TheThe
ArkArk
sc schools network
work 8

Ark Schools

Our
16 Primaries

39 15 Secondaries
8 All-through
schools
16 Primaries

schools
15 Secondaries Birmingham
1 Primary
8 All-throughs 2 Secondaries
2 All-through
London
10 Primaries
11 Secondaries
6 All-throughs

Portsmouth Hastings
2 Primaries 3 Primaries
1 Secondary 1 Secondary

Map key

Primary
Ark Burlington PRIMARY •
Ark Oval Ark Brunel
L• Secondary
Danes Academy Primary Academy Primary Academy
ARK • OVA

AC

All-through
ADEMY

All-through Primary Primary

2006 – London 2011 – London 2013 – London

Ark King Ark Bentworth Ark Franklin Ark Byron

Solomon Academy Primary Academy Primary Academy Primary Academy
All-through Primary Primary Primary
2007 – London 2012 – London 2013 – London 2015 – London

Ark Walworth Ark Bolingbroke Ark John Keats Ark Castledown

Academy Academy Academy Primary Academy
Secondary Secondary All-through Primary
2007 – London 2012 – London 2013 – London 2017 – Hastings

Ark Kings Ark Priory Ark Victoria

Ark Academy Academy Primary Academy Academy
All-through All-through Primary All-through
2008 – London 2012 – Birmingham 2013 – London 2018 – Birmingham

Ark Evelyn Ark Putney Ark Swift Ark Acton

Grace Academy Academy Primary Academy Academy
Secondary Secondary Primary Secondary
2008 – London 2012 – London 2013 – London 2018 – London

Ark Globe Ark Tindal Ark Blacklands Ark Greenwich

Academy Primary Academy Primary Academy Free School
All-through Primary Primary Secondary
2008 – London 2012 – Birmingham 2014 – Hastings 2018 – London

Ark Charter Ark Isaac Newton Ark Dickens Ark John Archer
Academy Primary Academy
Academy Primary Academy
Secondary All-through Primary Primary
2009 – Portsmouth 2012 – London 2014 – Portsmouth 2018 – London

Ark St Alban’s Ark All Saints Ark Elvin Ark Pioneer

Academy Academy Academy Academy
Secondary Secondary Secondary Secondary
2009 – Birmingham 2013 – London 2014 – London 2019 – London

Ark Alexandra Ark Little Ridge Ark Blake

Ark Atwood
Academy Primary Academy Academy
Primary Academy
Primary Secondary
Primary Secondary
2020 – London
2011 – London 2013 – Hastings 2014 – Hastings

Ark Conway Ark Ayrton Ark Boulton Ark Soane

Primary Academy Primary Academy Academy Academy
Primary Primary Secondary Secondary
2011 – London 2013 – Portsmouth 2015 – Birmingham 2021 – London
Visit our website to see all our
current vacancies, sign up to
receive job alerts and find out
more about Ark

arkonline.org/careers

@ArkSchools

linkedin.com/company/ark-schools

We aim to build a diverse and

inclusive organisation where everyone
– staff and students – can do their best
work and achieve their full potential.
We want to reflect and represent
diverse perspectives across our
organisation because we know that
doing so will make us stronger and
more effective.

We are committed to equality

of opportunity for all staff and
applications from individuals are
encouraged regardless of age,
disability, sex, gender reassignment,
sexual orientation, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief and
marriage and civil partnerships.

Read our full Diversity

and Inclusion statement