Welcome to Ark Blake Academy and thank you for your interest in our school.
It is an honour to be the Principal of Ark Blake Academy. In September 2020, we successfully opened our brand-new school, and are currently providing year 7 and 8 children with an excellent academic education, based on our strongly held Ark Blake values. We are oversubscribed for September 2022 and look forward to welcoming another year group of 180 pupils. Ark Blake will grow as each new school year joins the school and will provide exceptional opportunities for the children of East Croydon for generations to come.
At Ark Blake Academy, we believe that each of our pupils is born with unique potential for greatness and can take responsibility to achieve this. We believe that by aiming high, working hard and living according to Ark Blake’s values, we can lead lives that bring fulfilment and strengthen our community.
Our shared beliefs mean that at Ark Blake Academy we have very high expectations for the achievement, conduct and personal development of every child. Our mission is to ensure that each of our pupils fulfils their unique academic and personal potential, before moving on to continue their success either at university, or by beginning a rewarding career of their choice.
Our wonderful new building was completed on schedule in Summer 2020. We enjoy welcoming visitors to see our impressive facilities, and invite you to join us at one of our Open Events. In advance of this, please do visit our website and get in touch with us should you wish to arrange a conversation about our exciting school and the exceptional opportunities we can offer your child.

Peter Shaw
Our vision
Ark Blake empowers our pupils to seize greatness, achieve academic excellence and flourish as knowledgeable, confident, articulate, responsible citizens, who live according to Ark Blake’s values.
Our beliefs
At Ark Blake Academy, we believe that each of our pupils is born with unique potential for greatness which they can take responsibility to achieve. We believe that by working hard and living according to Ark Blake’s values, our pupils can seize greatness, lead lives that bring fulfilment and strengthen their communities.
Our vision
Ark Blake will provide an excellent academic education built on the foundations of our strongly held values. We will empower our pupils to take responsibility to ‘seize greatness’, achieve academic excellence and flourish as knowledgeable, confident, articulate, responsible citizens.
Our mission
All our pupils will fulfil their unique academic and personal potential. Every pupil will live according to Ark Blake’s values and go on to attend university or follow the rewarding career of their choice.
Values
At Ark Blake Academy, we live out our values in everything we do. Our Ark Blake values are:
Bravery - Seize greatness, even if you feel fear
Leadership - Positively influence others to seize greatness
Aspiration - Aim high and don’t accept less than greatness
Kindness - Greatness does not come without humility, empathy and generosity
Endeavour - Seizing greatness takes time, effort and determination
Responsibility - We celebrate that each of us is in control of our lives and therefore can seize greatness. We don’t make excuses.
Our values form the basis of the behaviours we expect our pupils to show and we revisit them at every opportunity. Our pupils will be brave and ready to take the opportunities life presents. Our pupils will show leadership, taking the initiative and leading by example. Our pupils will be aspirational, aiming high and knowing that high expectations and hard work pay off. Our pupils will be kind in word and deeds, recognising that all are worthy of respect. Our pupils will show endeavour, working hard and navigating obstacles in their way while maintaining a positive attitude.