Ark Dickens Primary Academy
Turner Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4PNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Ark Dickens Primary Academy is a primary school in Portsmouth for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 65 schools in Portsmouth. It ranks 14th of 28 primary schools in Portsmouth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 November 2019, report published 8 December 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 1 April 2025
Pupils thrive at this school. The school is determined to help all pupils to 'be your best'. Strong, respectful relationships permeate throughout. Pupils are delightful to talk to. They are polite, confident and articulate. Staff prioritise getting to know all pupils as individuals. They ensure that pupils feel welcome and valued. Pupils appreciate this. They trust adults completely to help them with their learning and to provide pastoral support. Pupils love coming to school and feel very safe. Pupils achieve well. They learn a broad range of knowledge and skills in all subjects. Right from the start of Nursery, children develop a wide vocabulary and understanding about how language works. They also learn important social skills such as turn taking and how to resolve conflicts, which helps them to settle well into school life. Preparing pupils for life beyond school is an absolute priority. By taking local walks and learning to ride bikes, pupils learn how to keep safe when out and about in their local, coastal community. Furthermore, through a comprehensive swimming programme and visits to the beach, pupils develop a crucial understanding of water safety. In addition, trips to places of interest, such as to the zoo and historical locations, enhance pupils' learning further.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, pupils do not practise and reinforce previously learned knowledge and skills as a matter of routine. When this happens, pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that pupils have sufficient opportunities to review and apply their understanding in all subjects so that they can remember their learning well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
60 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
446 pupils on roll, with places for 480
Schools near Ark Dickens Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery | 0.3 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 35% met the expected standard |
| Manor Infant and Nursery School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Flying Bull Academy | 0.4 miles | Report card: Needs attention | 17% met the expected standard |
| St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 83% met the expected standard |
| Penbridge Infant School & Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ARK SCHOOLS
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Laura Berry
- Phone
- 02392826514
- Address
- Turner Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4PN
- Local authority
- Portsmouth
- URN
- 141020
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.