Ark Schools builds new secondary with state-of-the-art recording studio and a rooftop sports pitch on East Croydon site

A new secondary school has opened with a rooftop sports pitch and recording studio.

Ark Schools are building a state-of-the-art recording studio and a rooftop sports pitch on their new East Croydon site.

Ark Blake Academy will feature a four-court sports hall, outdoor playground, drama studio and dance studio to allow students to express their creative streak.

They want to give Croydon children some of the best education in the country with their new venture.

The school will be a continuation of Ark Oval Primary, also run by education charity Ark Schools.

Peter Shaw, the acting headteacher and deputy headteacher at The Grey Coat Hospital in Westminster, will be the founding principal of the academy.

He has 20 years of experience teaching and has described his new role as “a dream job”. Mr Shaw said: “Ark Blake will provide an exceptional education for the children in this community.

The building, when it opens, will boast state-of-the-art facilities but, more importantly, we will have a rigorous, academic curriculum that will challenge and stimulate our students, coupled with a wide range of enrichment opportunities.

Our goal for Ark Blake is to nurture strong values in all of our
students, as well as to help them to achieve excellent results and develop a lasting love of learning.”

Ark Schools believe in enrichment for children – not just sitting behind a desk in a classroom.

Their other schools have attended the Ark Music Gala in The Barbican Centre, Shakespeare Schools Festival and debating competitions.