Following the approval of its free school application to open a new primary school to meet the growing need for primary places in the Brent area, Ark is now consulting on the proposal to open Ark Somerville Primary Academy, serving two to 11-year-olds in the borough.
The consultation runs until September 15 and there is more information and an opportunity to provide feedback at arksomerville.org/consultation.
The school is due to open near Wembley Stadium, adjacent to York House, and will be close to two other Ark schools – Ark Academy and Ark Elvin.
It is proposed that Ark Somerville would open in September 2019 and admit 90 Reception-age children each year until reaching full capacity of 630 in September 2025.
There is potential that the school’s 60 FTE nursery might also open at the same time.
Jacqueline Steele was recently appointed as a regional director for a number of Ark’s London primary schools and has been named as the executive principal designate of Ark Somerville Primary Academy.
Ms Steele is currently executive principal at Ark Priory Primary Academy, Ealing - rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2015 - as well as Ark Byron Primary Academy, also in Ealing, which opened in September 2015.
She was the founding headteacher of Ark Academy’s primary school in Wembley which opened in 2008 and was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2010.
“I am excited that plans are moving ahead for Ark Somerville Primary Academy and I am very pleased to be returning to work in Brent," Ms Steele said.
"I am deeply committed to delivering academic excellence and to establishing a school that will help transform the lives of children in the local area.
"I will be working hard with my team to provide excellent teaching and a nurturing environment in brand new building facilities."
