Ark Putney Academy

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Pullman Gardens, Putney, London, SW15 3DGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Ark Putney Academy is a secondary school in Wandsworth for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 111 schools in Wandsworth. It ranks 9th of 11 secondary schools in Wandsworth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 9 November 2022, report published 12 January 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 November 2022

Leaders have established a calm, inclusive and safe school environment. Very clear routines and systems mean that pupils benefit from high levels of consistency in their lessons and around the school. Pupils follow a carefully thought-out curriculum, which is designed to help them to remember important content. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) for whom provision is particularly strong. Pupils respond positively to teachers' high expectations of behaviour. Pupils are respectful to each other and to adults. Bullying is very rare and is dealt with effectively when it does happen. Diversity is celebrated around the school, and is reflected in curriculum choices, including the reading books that teachers choose for pupils. Leaders have made sure that pupils' broader development is prioritised. This means that pupils, including those in the sixth form, are taught important skills for life, including how to keep themselves safe. Leaders make sure that pupils from different backgrounds and abilities access the same range of clubs and extra-curricular activities. A structured programme of careers education and advice helps to prepare pupils for the next steps in their education, training, or employment.

What the school should improve

  • Sometimes, the requirement for teaching to be consistent prevents pupils from extending their learning to understand more complex ideas. This means that some pupils do not develop the depth of knowledge of which they are capable. Leaders should ensure that teaching activities allow pupils to develop their thinking, so that they can gain a greater understanding of subject content.
  • Some students enrolled in the sixth form struggle with their courses. This means that too many sixth-form students do not complete their programmes of study. Leaders should ensure that students are on appropriate pathways at the start of Year 12, so that more students successfully complete their chosen courses in the sixth form.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

141 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.3

46.3, 0.2 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths42.6%

42.6%, 2.8 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71.6%

71.6%, 6.8 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc73%

73%, 32.5 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.41

4.41, 0.32 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

47 students

Average point score per A level entry31.92

31.92, 3.08 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

746 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals60.3%

60.3%, 33.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language54.4%

54.4%, 32.8 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18.2%

18.2%, 3.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.9%

5.9%, 0.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Ark Putney Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Putney High School GDST0.4 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 46.8
Ashcroft Technology Academy0.8 milesReport card: Strong standard to exceptionalAttainment 8: 66.7
Saint Cecilia's Church of England School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 52.1
Ibstock Place School1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 19.9
Roehampton Hospital School1 mileOfsted: OutstandingNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ARK SCHOOLS
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Alison Downey
Address
Pullman Gardens, Putney, London, SW15 3DG
Local authority
Wandsworth
URN
138681

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.