Welcome to Ark Boulton

Welcome to Ark Boulton Academy, a community school in the heart of Sparkhill. 

Having grown up in the community we serve, I feel very privileged to be leading the academy on such a powerful mission: to ensure that all pupils go on to university, a high-level apprenticeship, or a career of their choice. But most importantly, we are committed to ensuring all our pupils: 

• Become role models to their siblings 

• Take care of their parents and families 

• Upskill the wider community 

We love our pupils as our own family and believe that they can all succeed, regardless of any barriers that may come their way. All our staff work tirelessly to support our pupils to be the best versions of themselves through excellent behaviour, hard work and making excellent progress. 

Ark Boulton is dedicated to developing our pupils in all aspects of their lives. This means that we prioritise our Personal Development curriculum alongside our Academic curriculum. 

From students to society 

Not only will Ark Boulton children be confident securing the best academic outcomes possible, but they will also develop strength of character for which they will be recognised in society as kind, caring, respectful, and generous young adults.  

We cannot do justice to this crucial undertaking alone. We are committed to working closely with parents, families, the local community, faith organisations, business, commerce, and education partners to meet the needs of the whole child. 

Our vision for Ark Boulton Academy is simple: together we give each of our students the skills, personal qualities and qualifications they need to be successful at university and in the career of their choice. Together we make them role models for future generations, raising their aspirations and helping them to fulfil their potential. Together we support our students to develop a lifelong love of learning, a sense of personal and civic pride, and the confidence not just to navigate the modern world, but to shape it.

From students to society

Not only will Ark Boulton children be confident securing the best academic outcomes possible, but they will also develop strength of character for which they will be recognised in society as kind, caring, respectful, and generous young adults. We cannot do justice to this crucial undertaking alone. We are committed to working closely with parents, families, the local community, faith organisations, business, commerce, and education partners to meet the needs of the whole child.

As an Ark academy we subscribe to, and are passionate about, the six pillars that we believe are fundamental to an excellent education.
 
High Expectations
Ark Boulton children reach higher to become articulate and confident, securing the very best academic outcomes. We will provide opportunities to develop outstanding character for which they will be recognised in society as compassionate, charitable and self-disciplined young adults who have the humility to be role models for generations to follow.

Excellent Teaching
At Ark Boulton we are teachers of subject, literacy and virtue. We take our students on a learning journey through the scripting of rigorous, objective driven lessons, as a result of a deep understanding of what great looks like. ​As a result, our students are committed, curious learners who make strong progress that is evident within their developed oral and written responses.​

Exemplary Behaviour
We believe that in order to be successful students must develop self-discipline and be given autonomy to make the right choices. This will enable our students to learn the habits of mind and character traits to be leaders and role models in their communities.​ The climate and conditions for learning in the academy are focused on purpose rather than control. Exemplary behaviour is a consistent expectation of students; not an aspiration. Whenever students meet or exceed our expectations we celebrate this joyfully. 

Depth for Breadth
Students are taken on a deep, rigorous and joyful learning journey at Ark Boulton Academy. Our teachers are fluent in the specifications that they teach and are able to use their expertise to systematically plan backwards to ensure students reach their end academic objectives. Students are supported to improve thanks to quality feedback and effective re-teaching of difficult topics.
Language is the foundation of learning; ensuring that students build a rich vocabulary and are articulate enables them to enjoy academic success and deepen their love for learning throughout their lives.​

Knowing Every Child​
We love our children. Ark Boulton is a family where staff care for students as they would their own children. 

We believe that preparing our students for life in modern Britain goes beyond providing knowledge of subject disciplines and careers. In addition, we provide opportunities for students to develop morally, socially, spiritually and culturally. These themes run throughout our Virtues Curriculum. Here, students learn about themselves, others and the society in which they live, and about democracy, tolerance, diversity and the rule of law. Our students demonstrate their understanding of these themes through expositions and service to their local and global community.​

In addition, ‘The Boulton Pledge’ underpins the importance of supporting our students to learn about themselves in depth.​ It prompts them to explore themes relating directly to their emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as positive relationships and how to keep themselves and others safe.

Always Learning
The philosophy which underpins our work at Boulton is that we are always seeking to become the best versions of ourselves through our teaching and leadership. We are a community of professionals who value each other and know that it is our collective responsibility to support and develop each other, every day. As a result of this, we can provide excellent teaching and strong outcomes for our students.

At Ark Boulton we are teachers of subject, literacy and virtue. Our weekly Subject and Virtue Curriculum Deep Dive supports this valuable work within teacher learning communities. Where possible, our teachers teach within one Key Stage. This enables them to refine their practice and plan in greater depth.​

We are part of the Ark family of schools and as such, our staff value a collegiate approach to working and accessing a regional support network in Birmingham and across the Ark network. This gives continual opportunities to share best practice, act as critical friends and access world-class training and development. ​