Projet

Ark

Ark (Absolute Return for Kids) is an education charity dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a high-quality education and real choices in life. Operating a network of 39 non-selective schools across Birmingham, Hastings, London, and Portsmouth, Ark serves approximately 30,000 students, focusing on communities where it can make the most significant impact. Beyond its schools, Ark develops and scales ventures addressing critical issues in education, such as early years provision, curriculum development, and teacher training, aiming to share successful approaches and solutions more broadly.

The MAD Foundation supports Ark by funding its Ark Sport programme, empowering young people both physically and mentally. Specifically, the MAD Foundation supports the organisation of Ark’s network-wide championship events, where students from different regions compete against each other throughout the year, with a focus on football and athletics.

Ark in a few figures:

30,000 30,000 students currently served across their network of 39 Ark schools.

90% 90% of Ark schools are in areas with above average deprivation. Ark’s students are nearly twice as likely to be eligible for free school meals than students nationally (42 v 24 percent).

83% 83% of Ark's sixth graduates from progress to university, compared to 38 percent nationally.

2,500 2,500 thousand students competed in Ark's network-wide sporting events in 2023.

90% 90% of Ark teachers feel their students have become more confident. 70 percent believe sports is improving mental health and 60 percent believe it’s improving attendance.