Ark Kings Academy
Birmingham, B38 9DE · Birmingham · all-through school
Check the area around this school
74th of 88 secondary schools in Birmingham we can score, 89 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 3.3/10 against 109 of them, against 1.4/10 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 | 28.0 · 12 | 30% | 0.36 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.53 · 15 | 25% | 0.36 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.9 · 19 | 10% | 0.19 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ark Kings Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.53 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Choir, Art Club, Rock Orchestra, and Duke of Edinburgh. Sports include football, basketball, hockey, and multi-skills. Arts and music offer instrument lessons and a Music Gala, while trips include orienteering adventures. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 739 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Ark Kings Academy
Overview
Ark Kings Academy is described as a place where children and pupils are "happy, safe and proud to attend." The report highlights a "sea change" in community relations, with parents now "solidly behind the school" due to improved communication. Leaders have worked tirelessly to improve the curriculum, resulting in an "ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum" that benefits all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate high aspirations and a "‘can do’ attitude," fostered by a strong focus on developing character from the early years.
- The teaching of reading is a strength, with a "‘keep up, not catch up’ approach" ensuring a high proportion of pupils become fluent readers.
- Attendance is "high and above the national average in the secondary phase," supported by a clear focus on promoting good attendance.
- Personal development is central to the curriculum, ensuring pupils are "well-prepared for the next stages in their lives" through leadership opportunities and community projects.
- The school effectively identifies and supports pupils with SEND, who make "good progress alongside their peers."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers "fine tune their pedagogical skills" so that activity choices better support planned learning outcomes, as pupils do not always remember what they have learned.
- The school should ensure pupils understand and can use "core vocabulary" as part of their learning, as teachers do not always teach subject-specific language well enough or provide opportunities to practise it.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.8 |
| 2024/25 | 36.5 |
| 2025/26 | 39.9 |
| 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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