SchoolScoresArk Charter Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Hyde Park Road, Southsea, PO5 4HL
023 9282 4204 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 10 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
73 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 45 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 52 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 24% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 8%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
181 pupils in this year group.
36% — about the same as the Portsmouth average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 35% | 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. | 38.9 | 39.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.5 | 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.
165 pupils in this year group.
83% — 5 points below the Portsmouth average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 83% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 3% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 76% | 72% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 83% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 Portsmouth. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 180 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 133 |
| Of those, offered a place | 131 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 377 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.7
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 61.7% | 38.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.4% | 14.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 38.7% | 20.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9% | 10.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.9% | 25.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 55.9 | 32.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 8.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.33% | 0.11% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 10.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Portsmouth. Higher than 98% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 33.8% | 14.6%* | 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
- St Edmund's Catholic School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 71% grade 5+ English and maths
- Priory School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Portsmouth Grammar School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 61% A*/A at A level
- Portsmouth High School GDST 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 43% A*/A at A level
- Madani Academy 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- The Portsmouth Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mayville High School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Miltoncross Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mayfield School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion)
- St Vincent College 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · D average A level grade
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Charter Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 10 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Ark Charter Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Ark Charter Academy?
64% of the 73 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Ark Charter Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Charter Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 133 families put Ark Charter Academy as their first choice for 180 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 131 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 135965.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.