Ark Dickens Primary Academy

About Ark Dickens Primary Academy

Ark Dickens Primary Academy is a primary school in Portsmouth, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy. Around 448 pupils aged 2 to 11 attend the school. The school holds a 'Good' judgement from Ofsted. In the most recent Key Stage 2 SATs, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — above the national average of 61%. Results have held broadly steady on the previous year. On our composite score, which combines the DfE attainment measures above, this places it in the lower half of primary schools nationally.

Pupils achieved an average scaled score of 103 in reading and 105 in maths (national averages are about 105 and 104). Ark Dickens Primary Academy was not oversubscribed for September 2026: all 34 families who put it first were offered a place. Overall pupil absence was 5.4%. There are about 22.7 pupils per teacher. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: about 57% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals in the last six years, compared with roughly 24% nationally — useful context when reading the results above. When comparing schools, it is still worth visiting in person to see whether the atmosphere and approach suit your child. This overview is generated automatically from the latest published DfE performance tables and Ofsted data; figures are rounded, and you can check the originals via the official links above.