Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, South London, has been rated ‘exceptional’ for inclusion, 
leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing, and Post 16 provision by Ofsted.

The school – which offers an all-through education for local children aged 4-18 – was reviewed 
under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, designed to give families a clearer picture of how schools are performing. 

Reflecting on what it is like to be a pupil at Ark Globe Academy, Ofsted said that pupils “are delighted
to be able to attend this school each and everyday”. They “know that they belong here” and it is
their “home from home”. Inspectors describe the school as “a family”. 

Ark Globe Academy was rated ‘exceptional’ for:  

Inclusion: Inspectors said that “the work that leaders do transforms pupils' lives.” Pupils with SEND “achieve significantly better here than they might at another school” and leaders support students
to make their aspirations and dreams “a reality”. 

Leadership and governance: Leaders see the school as “the heart of the community”
and “work tirelessly to bring the community into the school”. Staff report “high levels of
support for their wellbeing and workload” and leaders put in place “training that allows teachers
to quickly become experts in their roles”. 

Personal development and wellbeing: Personal development and pupil wellbeing are “at the
heart of all that occurs at this school”. Leaders take “deliberate steps to remove barriers to
pupils’ future success” and ensure that pupils “celebrate each other's differences and embrace
what they can learn from each other”. 
 
Post 16 provision: Students describe their experiences in the sixth form as “transformational”. Their 
achievement is “highly positive”, including those who are disadvantaged and those with
special educational needs and/or disabilities, and at the end of key stage 5, students “make
significantly more progress in their learning than at many other schools”. 

All further assessment areas were judged to be of a ‘strong standard’ under the new grading system: 

Achievement: Inspectors said pupils do “considerably better in national tests and assessments
than their peers nationwide”. 

Attendance and behaviour: Leaders have “a clear vision and approach to supporting pupils to
attend school every day” and pupils show “incredibly positive behaviour around the school”. 

Curriculum and teaching: Leaders have planned “a thorough curriculum that prepares pupils to
be successful in the next stage of their education”. 

Early years: Children “are happy to come to school each day and enjoy the learning experiences
that they take part in”. They “learn to read well through an effectively delivered phonics 
programme” and “appreciate the opportunities that they are given to read in school
with adults, older pupils and their parents and carers”. 

Ark Globe Academy Executive Principal Matt Jones OBE said, “We are thrilled that Ofsted has 
recognised the incredible work of all our staff, pupils and families.  

“At Ark Globe, we are committed to creating a school where every child feels they belong and
can thrive, so it is particularly meaningful to see inspectors describe the school as a ‘home from home’.  

“We are especially proud of the transformational impact highlighted for our pupils, including those
with additional needs, and of the strong culture of inclusion and ambition that runs through
everything we do.” 

The Ofsted inspection took place on 6 May 2026. The full report is available at: 
Ark Globe Academy - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted 

Ark Globe Academy offers an all-through education for local children aged 4-18 in Southwark, South London. It is part of the Ark multi-academy trust, with 39 schools in London, Birmingham, Hastings 
and Portsmouth. For more information please visit: Ark Globe