History of The Ark Globe Academy

ARK Globe Academy has been in Elephant and Castle for many years. Learn a bit about our history here….

History of The Ark Globe Academy

In 1873 the London School Board opens The Harper Street School,which is now known as The Ark Globe Academy. This school is an all through school which means students can start from the age or 4/5 until the age of 18.In 1993 one of the school’s buildings had been renamed to Joseph Lancaster Primary School. In 1958 Two saints, which is a secondary school for girls, opens and was one of the most celebrated architectural projects of that year. Almost 20 years later the school joins with Paragon School for boys and soon after becomes Geoffrey Chaucer School.  Tony Blaire, alongside the then Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown, paid the school a visit in 1998 for the Television show Question Time. In 2007 the school officially join together to become The Ark Globe Academy and a few years later, Education secretary, Michael Gove opens the new Paul Marshall Building. During that year Sir Michael Caine and David Cameron both pay a visit. In 2011 the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Barack Obama alongside David Cameron as part of Obama’s state visit. Princess Beatrice visits The Ark Globe academy in 2014 to talk to pupils and teachers about the work done at the school to support those children with Dyslexia.  The school specialises in mathematics and performing arts and intends on both “centres of excellence”. One of the small school slogans is ‘Climb the mountain to success’. This statement is taught to all students. It explains that success is like climbing a mountain – you need to push yourself, at times it is hard, you must never give up and when you reach the peak you are filled with personal fulfilment and success. Therefore each of the small schools is named after a mountain peak from five continents:

Tronador Lower School

Elbrus Middle School

McKinley Middle School

Kilimanjaro Upper School

Everest Sixth Form.