King Solomon Academy is a non-selective, non-denominational,
mixed all-through school within the English
academy
An academy ( Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy ...
programme, located in
Marylebone, London
Marylebone (usually , also , ) is a district in the West End of London, in the City of Westminster. Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, forms its southern boundary.
An ancient parish and latterly a metropolitan borough, it me ...
. It occupies the site of the former
Rutherford School
Rutherford School is an independent special school for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) aged 3–19 that aims to provide inclusive education to learners whose very special needs are compounded by a high degree of ...
.
History
The Rutherford School was built from 1958 to 1960, designed by the architect
Leonard Manasseh
Leonard Sulla Manasseh (21 May 1916 – 5 March 2017) was a British architect, best known for the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, which he co-designed with Ian Baker.
Early life and education
Manasseh was born in Eden Hall, Singapore, ...
, and is a
Grade II* listed
In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...
building.
The primary school opened in September 2007, and the secondary school opened in September 2009. The school is an all-through school with pupils raging in age from 3 to 18, with the primary school feeding directly into the secondary. It has sixty pupils in each year. The school is partly modelled on the
KIPP
The Knowledge is Power Program, commonly known as KIPP, is a network of free open-enrollment college-preparatory schools in low income communities throughout the United States. KIPP is America's largest network of charter schools. The head o ...
program, which originated in the US.
In December 2008, Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit and rated the academy as 'outstanding'.
In December 2009, Ofsted conducted a full inspection and rated the school outstanding.
The school is funded by the
Department for Education
The Department for Education (DfE) is a department of His Majesty's Government responsible for child protection, child services, education (compulsory, further and higher education), apprenticeships and wider skills in England.
A Department ...
but is operated by
Ark schools, a
registered charity
A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good).
The legal definition of a ch ...
under English law, and sponsored by parent charity
Ark
Ark or ARK may refer to:
Biblical narratives and religion Hebrew word ''teva''
* Noah's Ark, a massive vessel said to have been built to save the world's animals from a flood
* Ark of bulrushes, the boat of the infant Moses
Hebrew ''aron''
* ...
.
The current headmaster of the secondary school is Max Haimendorf, a graduate of
St. Hugh's College, Oxford, who was amongst the first cohort of the
Teach First
Teach First (also Teach First Cymru) is a social enterprise registered as a charity which aims to address educational disadvantage in England and Wales. Teach First coordinates an employment-based teaching training programme whereby participa ...
programme.
In 2015, the school was rated as the best non-selective secondary school in England according to the Department for Education's
GCSE
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a particular subject, taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. Private sc ...
league tables.
See also
*
Ark (charity)
Absolute Return for Kids (ARK), is an international children's educational charity based in London, UK.
Ark is a registered charity under English law. In its reporting year 2017–18, excluding its few subsidiaries, it saw gross income of £1 ...
*
List of schools in the City of Westminster
This is a list of schools in the City of Westminster in London.
Westminster Children's Services administers many primary and secondary schools. In addition there are several Church of England (CE), Roman Catholic (RC), and Christian non-denomina ...
References
External links
King Solomon Academy websiteArk schools websiteAbsolute Return for Kids website
{{Authority control
Academies in the City of Westminster
Educational institutions established in 2007
Primary schools in the City of Westminster
Secondary schools in the City of Westminster
Ark schools
Grade II* listed buildings in the City of Westminster
2007 establishments in England