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Original poster

Ark pioneer academy, Barnet: opinions pls

43 replies

purelaxation · 12/01/2019 23:47

Considering this brand new school for my DS. It opens in September 2019 so she will be part of the founding year group which has its pros and cons.

Another option is Queen Elizabeth girls which is established and doing well but has tired old buildings and fewer sports facilities.

Extremely confused so grateful of any opinions out dthere.

OP posts:
Sonu1 · 24/04/2021 23:55

Kiranshah which school did you end up with please? Does anyone else have feedback re QE Girls vs Ark Pioneer?

Irishparent · 21/04/2021 16:53

Yep. They are. Focus and priorities are not academic. I think it’s displacement activity so they don’t have to push themselves or the girls academically.

sammyvine · 20/04/2021 22:32

@Irishparent

Oriented towards a focus on liberal identity and social issues versus a strong academic focus.
So QE Girls is like that? Are you sure. My sister went there and it wasnt like that at all/ How are they focused on social issues
Irishparent · 20/04/2021 22:26

Oriented towards a focus on liberal identity and social issues versus a strong academic focus.

sammyvine · 20/04/2021 18:33

@Irishparent

Ark are superb. My son goes there. Only 2 year groups in, but so professional, well organised and academic. Have a daughter at QE girls. It’s OK, but so mindfulness and woke oriented and were woeful over lockdown. My younger daughter will be going to ark as well.
What does woke oriented even mean?
Sonu1 · 20/04/2021 14:00

Hi IrishParent - my DD just had an offer from Ark - shes nervous so its good to know your feedback and glad to hear your son is enjoying it.

Irishparent · 25/03/2021 20:54

Ark are superb. My son goes there. Only 2 year groups in, but so professional, well organised and academic. Have a daughter at QE girls. It’s OK, but so mindfulness and woke oriented and were woeful over lockdown. My younger daughter will be going to ark as well.

Return2thebasic · 07/03/2021 21:35

Bump. Anyone who has real experience with Ark can comment please? Very keen to know more, as we live very close and want to know if this is a viable option.

Original poster
purelaxation · 07/03/2019 08:11

The rules and regs are definitely a big deal...I'm sure the kids will quickly get used to it. I want my kids to look back on their education fondly and not view it as a stressful experience...so many pros and cons. Please anyone else with views/opinions on Ark pioneer or ark schools in general...Please share!

OP posts:
Original poster
purelaxation · 07/03/2019 08:09

I share your concerns. I think children deserve respect and the freedom to be themselves and feel like ark may be stifling. Agree with you on journey time..it will be a long day for your child..However other aspects of ark are super impressive..it almost feels like a private school without the liberalism.

OP posts:
Kiranshah471 · 07/03/2019 07:54

Any my older daughter has been through QE girls and left 3 years ago after GCSE. Generally a good school, but they had there own issues. I hope that the new head teacher has resolved them.

Kiranshah471 · 07/03/2019 07:48

Hi Purelaxatipn. I am pulled between Ark and St Andrews the Greek School. Both are equally good. Ifeel the same am I gona miss out on this opportunity. But my worry is how strict they are, and the schools finishing times. As we are near Southgate my child will not get home till 5.30. If she went St Andrews she will home in 10 minutes. I am also concerned about the altar rigid behaviour policy and senction for not behaving appropriately will it destroy the individual of a person. Have you had the behaviour policy of the Ark Academy.

Original poster
purelaxation · 06/03/2019 20:54

Kiran are you also weighing up both qe and ark? Which are you leaning towards and why? Would be interested to hear as many points of view as possible. I know my DS will fit in well at QE and be happy there. However selfishly I face the fear of missing out on Ark if it does turn out as outstanding as it sounds.

OP posts:
Kiranshah471 · 06/03/2019 20:34

We are in the same situation, very confused. But not a lot of people seem to be talking about the Ark School.

Original poster
purelaxation · 05/03/2019 23:06

Thanks for your insights fandabby. Have you seen an ark school in action? Qe is increasing its intake this year so class sizes will increase. The head at Ark pioneer is also inspirational and a very strong character. They are rigorous with their recruitment and I am confident that they attract and recruit strong teachers. I think in a couple of years it might be highly sought after. Almost like a private school with facilities to match. My biggest concern is how well an independent thinker with a supportive family will fit into such a rigid system.

OP posts:
FanDabbyFloozy · 05/03/2019 21:37

QE girls has a swimming pool, pitches etc. I actually think it has quite a lot of sports facilities.
It does very well in GCSEs, the head is inspirational and its value add is very strong. It's a school on the up for sure.
The only consideration is that the A Levels aren't that strong yet but that's perhaps because so many move into other options including Woodhouse.
I think QEG is the surer bet this year anyhow.

Original poster
purelaxation · 05/03/2019 20:52

Thanks Nicola. Any other views out there? I'm torn because qe girls is improving each year but my ds would be in the founding year of a brand new school at ark and will be taught by heads of year for a couple of years. I'm worried about the level of discipline at Ark (No talking in the corridors, no running in the playground at playtime!). Both options have their pros and cons. I'd love to hear more views and opinions...need to decide by 15th March. TIA.

OP posts:
NicolaStart · 13/01/2019 11:28

Tired old buildings don’t matter.

Have a good look through the websites for other ARK schools, for example Evelyn Grace in Brixton.

Read through all the behaviour and discipline policies.

They are one of the very rigid zero tolerance academy chains and it wouldn’t suit me, but others love them.