SchoolScoresArk Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 18 · Mixed · Nursery class · Sixth form
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Forty Avenue, Wembley, HA9 9JR
020 8385 4370 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 14 April 2026 , published 21 May 2026.
In short: 1 exceptional, 6 strong, 1 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
56 pupils in this year group.
82% — 13 points above the Brent average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 82% | 69% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 86% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 77% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 89% | 80% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
168 pupils in this year group.
51% — 4 points below the Brent average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 51% | 54% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 51.5 | 51.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
164 pupils in this year group.
96% — 2 points above the Brent average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 96% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 69% | 59% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 12% | 8% | 13% |
| Further education college | 15% | 24% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | – | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
101 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 32% | 33% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 65% | 62% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 38.3 | 37.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
14 subjects, 309 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 46 | 9% | 35% | 40% |
| Economics | 36 | 8% | 33% | 26% |
| Biology | 32 | 0% | 34% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 32 | 3% | 41% | 30% |
| Psychology | 30 | 3% | 27% | 19% |
| Sociology | 30 | 7% | 43% | 20% |
| English Literature | 27 | 0% | 19% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 24 | 0% | 25% | 26% |
| History | 20 | 5% | 30% | 23% |
| Physics | 12 | 0% | 8% | 31% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 25% | 38% | 59% |
| Religious Studies | 7 | 0% | 43% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Art and Design (Fine Art).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
156 students in this year group.
90% — 7 points above the Brent average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 90% | 83% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 7% |
| Work | 11% | 12% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 90% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
130 students in this year group.
87% — 5 points above the Brent average, and 27 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 87% | 82% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 34% | 33% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Brent. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 131 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 173 |
| Of those, offered a place | 93 (54%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 790 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.3
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 2 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 58 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 124 |
| Of those, offered a place | 53 (43%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 314 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.9 · 2026: 2.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Brent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 35.7% | 29.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 2.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 10.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 48.4% | 58.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Lower than 95% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 6.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Lower than 94% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 20.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7 | 10.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 6.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 15.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Wembley. Higher than 92% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 25.7% | 17.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Michaela Community School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2023 · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lycee International de Londres 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Preston Manor School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ark Elvin Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jfs 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 79% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wembley High Technology College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- Claremont High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Alperton Community School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong, 1 expected · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Gregory's Catholic Science College 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- North Brent School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ark Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 14 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 exceptional, 6 strong, 1 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Ark Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 51% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Ark Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 173 families put Ark Academy as their first choice for 131 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 93 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 135600.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.