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Ark Ayrton Primary Academy

Portsmouth, PO5 4LSPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jul 2024
KS2 Results
80%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
56 1st-choice / 60 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#1481 of 13,686 nationally

About Ark Ayrton Primary Academy

Ark Ayrton Primary Academy in Portsmouth is a mixed state primary for children aged 2 to 11, and it is clearly a school in high demand. With 501 pupils on roll against a capacity of 510, it is operating very close to full. The school received 135 applications for just 60 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.25 applicants per place. Of those, 56 were first-preference offers, suggesting strong local reputation. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 57.6%, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school’s role in a community with higher-than-average deprivation. Headteacher Sophie Bennett-Acres leads a school that has clearly become a popular choice for families in the area, despite—or perhaps because of—its inclusive intake.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSomers Road, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO5 4LS
HeadteacherSophie Bennett-Acres
Local AuthorityPortsmouth
Number of Pupils501
Free School Meals (FSM)57.6%
School Capacity501 / 510 (98% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

11 Jul 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Latest monitoring visit (11 Jul 2024): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

Source: Ofsted, 29 Nov 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Sports HallICT SuiteGymnasiumSensory RoomMusic RoomsLibraryOutdoor PlaygroundDining HallChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

10

Sports

DanceNetballFootballRoundersSwimmingGymnasticsAthletics

Clubs & Activities

Film ClubChessDrama

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:15

Source: arkayrtonprimary.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ark Ayrton Primary Academy

Ark Ayrton Primary Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.