Ark Franklin Primary Academy

About Ark Franklin Primary Academy

Ark Franklin Primary Academy is a mixed, non-denominational state primary in the London borough of Brent, and it sits third out of 52 primary schools in the local authority rankings. That puts it in the top five per cent of Brent primaries, behind only East Lane Primary School and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, which occupy the top two spots. The school is led by headteacher Peter Watkins and currently has 665 pupils on roll, slightly above its official capacity of 630. It is a popular choice for local families: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 340 applications for 90 places, with 143 of those as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.78 applicants per place. The school also offers nursery provision for children from age three, which will be a practical consideration for parents looking for an early start in the same setting.

Academically, Ark Franklin performs well above the Brent average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 95 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of 65 per cent. The school also achieved strong results at the higher standard: 16 per cent of pupils reached that level across all three subjects, with 48 per cent hitting the higher standard in reading and 42 per cent in maths. Average scaled scores in reading and maths were both 110. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in March 2025, found that the school had improved significantly since its previous graded inspection in 2016, when it was rated Good overall. Leadership and management were judged Outstanding, and early years provision was rated Good. The school's previous inspection in 2012 had rated it Inadequate, so the trajectory is clearly upward.

The school's facilities include a Forest School, music rooms, a gymnasium, a library, playing fields and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include athletics, football, dance, tennis, swimming, cricket and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as gardening, choir and book club. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Parent feedback is very positive: 97 per cent of respondents to the Parent View survey would recommend the school, and 98 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. This is a school that suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes in a well-regarded local authority, and who are comfortable with a larger-than-average primary that is clearly in high demand.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Ark Franklin Primary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents