Classpot

Ark Pioneer Academy

Barnet, EN5 2BESecondaryAges 11–19MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Sep 2023
Progress 8
+0.57
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.2×
Oversubscribed
216 1st-choice / 177 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#409 of 3,141 nationally

About Ark Pioneer Academy

Ark Pioneer Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.57 sits just a hair below the Barnet local authority average of 0.6, which might sound like a small gap but actually places the school in a strong position given its intake. With 38.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals — well above the national average — the school is clearly adding significant value. Its Progress 8 banding is rated “Well above average” nationally, and the school ranks 16th out of 28 secondary schools in Barnet, placing it in the top 25% of schools across England. What stands out is the consistency across subject areas: English Progress 8 sits at 0.57, maths at 0.66, and the EBacc element reaches 0.88, suggesting particularly strong outcomes in the academic core. This is a school that outperforms expectations for its cohort, even if the headline LA comparison looks marginal.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 19 years
GenderMixed
AddressWestcombe Drive, Barnet, Barnet, EN5 2BE
HeadteacherSu Reddy
Local AuthorityBarnet
Number of Pupils998
Free School Meals (FSM)38.8%
School Capacity998 / 1,200 (83% full)
Sixth FormYes

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

13 Sept 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 10 Oct 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
Sixth Form CentreLibraryArt StudiosGymnasiumScience LabsDining Hall

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

TennisFootballGymnasticsSwimmingNetballCross CountryRowingMartial ArtsBadminton

Clubs & Activities

DramaChoirBook ClubScience ClubYoung EnterpriseChessGardeningArt ClubDebate

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 15:30

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ark Pioneer Academy

Ark Pioneer Academy has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.