Ark Greenwich Free School

What Ark Greenwich Free School does

Ark Greenwich Free School is a non-selective state secondary school located at 403 Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London, founded in 2012 and operating as an academy within the Ark Schools network (39 schools across the UK). The school admits 120 new Year 7 students each year across four forms of entry, producing a steady-state roll of approximately 600 pupils aged 11–16 across Years 7–11, drawn from a catchment that includes the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most deprived deciles in the UK. Its core educational offering is a traditional, academically rigorous GCSE curriculum in which approximately 95% of students pursue the EBacc qualification set, layered with structured Reading and Numeracy programmes (Fresh Start, Lexia, NGRT termly assessments, Numeracy Passport), a Character Education framework built on four values (Ambition, Growth, Fellowship, Scholarship), and an extensive extended curriculum including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, performing arts, and a recently launched Combined Cadet Force. Documented outcomes include an Ofsted Outstanding rating across all categories (April 2023), the 4th-highest national GCSE attainment ranking among non-selective schools (2025), a Progress 8 score of +1.09, 91% achieving Grade 4+ in English and Mathematics, and 96% attendance.

The school's technology stack is anchored on the Ark network's Digital Strategy launched in 2020: a 1:1 Google Chromebook programme for every student, full Microsoft Office 365 access, and the SPArk centralised learning platform, which signposts third-party resources such as Hegarty Maths, Seneca Learning, Oak National Academy, and BBC Bitesize. Operational tooling includes Show My Homework (Satchel One) for homework tracking, My Child at School (MCAS) as a parent engagement portal, WisePay for cashless meal payments, and the SHARP anonymous safeguarding reporting system. Data inputs consist of NGRT adaptive reading assessments administered termly, with documented multi-year tracking of pupil reading-age progress.

The school is government-funded and non-profit. Revenue flows from per-pupil funding under a Master Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education, supplemented by Pupil Premium allocations for disadvantaged students and small ancillary fee-based services such as school meals priced at £2.80 per meal via WisePay and branded uniform items supplied via Khalsa Schoolwear. There is no commercial go-to-market: admissions are administered through the Royal Borough of Greenwich's coordinated admission arrangements, with in-year applications handled directly by the school. Demand is generated through the school's website, a structured Open Events programme (Open Mornings and Open Evenings, booked via Eventbrite), and weekly Parent Bulletins distributed via Microsoft Sway. Day-to-day governance is delegated to a Local Governing Body of 6–10 members operating under the Ark Schools Board's statutory authority.

Name

Ark Greenwich Free School

Legal name

Ark Greenwich Free School

Website

https://arkgreenwichfreeschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ark Greenwich Free School is a non-selective state secondary school in Greenwich, London, serving approximately 600 pupils aged 11–16 within the 39-school Ark Schools network. It delivers an EBacc-focused GCSE curriculum and ranks 4th nationally among non-selective schools for attainment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Academy Funding: Publicly funded academy under Ark Schools network. Government funding through Master Funding Agreement with Secretary of State for Education. Receives Pupil Premium funding for students from low-income households. School meals funding for eligible students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ark Greenwich Free School is a non-selective government-funded secondary academy (Years 7-11) delivering GCSE qualifications, with approximately 95% of students studying the EBacc. Education is provided free at the point of delivery, supplemented by paid school meals and designated uniform items. The school operates under a Master Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education as part of the Ark Schools network and admits 120 Year 7 students each academic year.

Product overview

Ark Greenwich Free School is a non-selective secondary school offering a unified, academically rigorous educational programme. The core offering comprises a traditional GCSE curriculum (Years 7-11) with approximately 95% of students pursuing the EBacc qualification set. This is delivered alongside the SPArk digital learning platform (Ark's network hub for accessing third-party resources like Hegarty Maths, Seneca, and Oak National Academy), structured Numeracy and Reading programmes with intervention support, and a Character Education programme based on the school's four values (Ambition, Growth, Fellowship, Scholarship). The school provides extensive extended curriculum including enrichment clubs, sports, performing arts, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and Combined Cadet Force, alongside a Gatsby Framework-based careers programme. Digital infrastructure includes 1:1 Chromebook provision with Office 365 access. The school operates as part of the Ark Schools network of 39 schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GCSE / EBacc Academic Curriculum (Years 7-11) Traditional academically rigorous curriculum for Years 7-11 covering GCSE qualifications in core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science), humanities, modern foreign languages, arts and technical subjects. Approximately 95% of students study the EBacc qualification set.
• SPArk Digital Learning Platform Ark Network's central digital learning hub providing students access to year-group and subject-specific work, with signposting to third-party educational apps including Oak National Academy, BBC Bitesize, Hegarty Maths and Seneca Learning.
• Numeracy Programme Structured numeracy programme using the Numeracy Passport and Fundamental Skills test for Year 7 students to rapidly close gaps in mathematical knowledge, with bespoke support for students below expected levels and Stretch and Challenge content including the Junior Maths Challenge.
• Reading Programme Comprehensive literacy development programme including morning reading sessions, Fresh Start tutoring, Lexia intervention, and focus on canonical literature, with NGRT standardised assessments used for termly progress monitoring.
• Character Education Programme (AGFS) Structured character development programme built on six personal dispositions (Ambition, Growth, Fellowship, Scholarship) delivered through tutor time, assemblies, line-up sessions, family dining and enrichment activities.
• Extended Curriculum and Enrichment Programme Co-curricular programme covering clubs, sports, performing arts, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and educational trips including residential programmes, with twelve Drop Down Days per academic year.
• Careers and Destinations Programme Aspirational careers programme aligned to the Gatsby Framework, including university visits, workshops, visiting speakers and work experience opportunities, with student aspirations tracked biannually.
• Remote Education Provision High-quality remote education provided during absences or school closures, utilising Google Chromebook devices and the Office 365 suite for continuous learning.
• School Meals Service School meals service at £2.80 per meal, consisting of either a meat or vegetarian main meal plus dessert or drink, or a sandwich/baguette plus dessert or drink, with cash loading in the school foyer or online payment via WisePay.
• School Uniform Provision School-specific uniform items (blazer with AGFS logo, tie, optional jumper) supplied through designated supplier Khalsa Schoolwear, with PE rugby jersey supplied through the school; second-hand uniform donations accepted by the school office.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4th highest GCSE attainment nationally among non-selective schools (2025)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ark SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGFS is part of Ark Schools, a leading education charity and top-performing academy operator with 39 schools in the UK. Ark provides governance, funding agreements (Master Funding Agreement), professional development programmes, shared resources and best practices. Ark Schools Board holds statutory responsibilities while delegating day-to-day governance to Local Governing Body.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• West London Free School: A non-selective secondary free school in Hammersmith, founded on a similar ethos to AGFS, serving a mixed-ability London intake with a strong academic and character-education focus. Closely comparable in size, model, and target demographic.
• Harris Federation: One of the UK's largest and highest-performing multi-academy trusts, operating a portfolio of secondary and primary academies in London and the South East. Highly comparable to AGFS as a London-based secondary MAT with strong academic outcomes and similar pupil demographics.
• Dixons Academies Trust: A high-performing UK multi-academy trust with a strong track record of outstanding Ofsted judgements and top GCSE outcomes, particularly in the North of England. Comparable as a values-driven MAT with rigorous academic curriculum and intervention programmes.
• Reach Academy Feltham: A small, high-performing all-through free school in a deprived London borough with a strong focus on closing the disadvantage gap. Comparable to AGFS in mission, intake demographics, and operating scale.
• Star Academies: A multi-academy trust operating a growing portfolio of secondary schools across the UK, many in areas of high deprivation, with consistently strong academic outcomes. Comparable as a values-driven secondary MAT serving disadvantaged intakes.
• Greenshaw Learning Trust: A growing multi-academy trust with a number of high-performing secondary schools in London and the South East, including several with Outstanding Ofsted ratings. Comparable as a secondary-focused MAT with a similar improvement-focused ethos.

Others

• Ark Schools: The parent education charity operating the Ark network of 39 schools including AGFS. Included as a related party and ecosystem reference rather than a direct peer — provides the governance, funding agreement, SPArk platform, and CPD infrastructure that AGFS relies on.

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: A large multi-academy trust and independent schools group operating secondary schools across England. Comparable as a large, broad secondary school operator but serving a wider range of intakes and geographies than AGFS.
• Oasis Community Learning: A national multi-academy trust running a network of secondary and primary academies, often in areas of high deprivation, with a community-focused ethos. Comparable as a large-scale secondary MAT but with a broader social mission than AGFS's purely academic focus.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: One of the largest MATs in England, operating secondary and primary academies nationally with a strong focus on raising attainment in disadvantaged areas. Comparable as a large-scale secondary MAT but with a much broader geographic footprint than AGFS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ark Greenwich Free School