Ark Soane Academy

About Ark Soane Academy

Ark Soane Academy in Ealing is a state secondary that opened with a clear mission to serve its local community, and the numbers tell a striking story. The school currently has 722 pupils against a capacity of 1,200, meaning there is room to grow, but demand is already intense: for 195 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 477 applications, an oversubscription ratio of 2.45. Only 113 of those offers went to first-preference families, out of 119 who put it top, so competition is fierce. The pupil body is notably diverse in socioeconomic terms, with 52.6% eligible for free school meals — well above the national average for secondary schools, which typically sits around 20-25%. This suggests the school is drawing from a genuinely mixed catchment and is actively serving families who might otherwise have fewer options. Under headteacher Matthew Neuberger, the school has no religious character and is fully co-educational, taking pupils from age 11 through to 19.

Academically, Ark Soane has already secured the highest possible Ofsted rating, judged Outstanding in all five categories following its March 2024 graded inspection. The quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all received top marks of 1. The school’s Progress 8 score is not listed in the data, but the local authority average for Ealing is 0.5, which is above the national average of zero, so the bar is high in this borough. Of the 17 state secondary schools in Ealing, eight are rated Outstanding, placing Ark Soane in strong company. Its nearest Outstanding neighbour is Twyford Church of England High School, just 0.2 km away, which suggests a cluster of high-performing schools in the area. The school also offers a sixth form, though no specific outcomes data is provided for that phase. For parents focused on academic rigour, the Outstanding rating across the board is a powerful signal.

The school is well equipped, with facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, astro turf, science labs, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision is broad, covering hockey, netball, tennis, martial arts, and swimming, while clubs range from choir and orchestra to coding, Model UN, and chess. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. This breadth suggests an inclusive approach, though no specific SEN pupil numbers are given. Ark Soane is not a boarding school and has no nursery provision. Given its high oversubscription and strong Ofsted rating, this is a school that suits families who can secure a place early and who value a modern, inclusive, high-expectation environment in a competitive London borough.

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