Ark Acton Academy
London, W3 8EY · Ealing · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 17 secondary schools in Ealing we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.9/10 against 260 of them, against 4.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.1 · 35 | 30% | 1.05 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.2 · 65 | 25% | 1.62 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.3 · 21 | 10% | 0.21 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ark Acton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.1, against a national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.2 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the senior choir, battle of the bands, jazz band, and The Inspiring Excellence ensembles. Sports include football, basketball, table tennis, dodgeball, boxercise, and Netball. Arts and music offer individual instrument lessons, Fusion, Ignite, and the Summer Sounds Music Festival. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 752 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Ark Acton Academy
Overview
Ark Acton Academy is a well-led school where leaders are determined to ensure all pupils succeed academically. The report describes a calm environment where pupils behave sensibly and aspire to model values of “honesty, hard work and kindness.” Leaders have established strong routines that prepare students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, for success.
Strengths
- Leaders have constructed a curriculum that carefully builds knowledge and understanding from Year 7 through to Year 13, including for pupils with SEND.
- A robust approach to assessment enables leaders to track learning, with teachers typically checking understanding and addressing gaps in most classes.
- Reading is a top priority, with daily support interventions helping pupils develop fluency and confidence to access the curriculum.
- Pupils benefit from a well-designed personal development programme, unbiased careers advice, and equal access to work experience opportunities.
- Staff report that senior leaders are approachable, responsive to feedback, and help reduce workload through valued professional development.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, teaching does not consistently identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge, causing some to struggle with new concepts. Leaders should ensure teachers check pupils’ grasp of key component knowledge before moving on.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a well-organised team, detailed reporting procedures, and swift action taken to support pupils at risk.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.2 |
| 2024/25 | 42.1 |
| 2025/26 | 40.3 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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