1. Trips and visits
Excellent exam results
Inside this issue:
Sporting success
3
4-5
8
The news magazine of ARK Burlington Danes,
A Church of England Academy
Autumn 2014
Issue 12

2. 2 3
A Church of England and ARK Academy
THERE is never a dull moment at ARK BDA
and I hope you enjoy this edition of our twice-
yearly showcase of life at the academy; there
have been trips, competitions won and lost,
sport, drama, music, events and visitors.
I believe that great schools are more than
just academic learning. We hope that the
enrichment we provide teaches our students
something about themselves, their place in
the world and where they want to be. So join
us in treasuring these memories and I look
forward to helping create more moments for
all of us in the coming year.
Mr Michael Ribton, Principal
STUDENTS reached the
end of our ambitious house-
building project last term.
With a complete structural
shell erected on the school’s
site, former Principal Dame
Sally Coates was joined by
architect Roderick James for a special opening ceremony in July.
Students who have been closely involved over the year came
together in celebration of their achievement and wrote personal
messages on the walls – before plastering and insulation was
carried out the following week.
“You have all been so important to this project,” said Dame
Sally. “I can’t believe that students in any other school in London
are doing what you have been doing.”
As well as a 30-strong GCSE construction class working on
the project, more than 40 others, who regularly attend an after-
school club, have played a key role.
“It’s nice knowing that I took part in making it. I don’t think I’d
be able to do this somewhere else,” said Delilah, year 7.
The house address has been confirmed as 1 Schoolhouse
Road, ARK Burlington Danes Academy. A plaque unveiled at
the event reads, ‘The house that ARK BDA built’.
The single-storey timber structure is to be used as a boarding
house for students to enjoy evenings of discussion, music
and cooking. It will also play host to live performances for the
local community.
STAFF and students came together to pose for
the academy’s first whole-school photo last term.
More than 1,000 of us gathered in the field to
take our positions in front of the Dennis Potter
Building for the momentous shot.
It was the perfect day to commemorate the
recent success of our school, with hardly a cloud
in sight.
The photograph will serve as a reminder in
years to come of what has been, and will continue
to be, a wonderful period in the illustrious history
of ARK Burlington Danes Academy.
ARK BDA students have been enjoying a variety of trips, from camping
close to home to exploring different countries and cultures.
History trip to Berlin
ARK BDA historians travelled to Berlin at the end of last term to learn
more about the Weimar Republic, the Nazi period and the Cold War. The
itinerary for the three days included various walking tours and visits to
Sachsenhausen concentration camp and the Reichstag Building, as well as
trips to the Jewish and DDR museums. Trip lead Ms McCartney said: “It was
a pleasure to take year 13 to Berlin over Easter. It enabled them to see the
impact the ideological divisions of the Cold War still have on the landscape
of the city.”
Active break in the Brecon Beacons
Fifty-nine year 9 students visited the beautiful Brecon Beacons, enjoying a
wide range of outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, raft-building, assault
courses, archery and fencing.
Languages trip to Normandy
Twenty year 10s spent four days in Normandy putting their French GCSE
studies into practice. They had a number of French-speaking challenges
to complete, including buying ingredients in a French market, interviewing
French people in the street, making crêpes and visiting a goat farm, where
the cheese-making process was explained in French.
Other trips included a tour of the First World War battlefields in Flanders,
a visit to Disneyland Paris and a camping expedition in the New Forest.
MEMBERS of our Oxbridge Project
have enjoyed numerous talks from
inspirational speakers, including
a human rights barrister, Google’s
director of communications,
academics, teachers – and parents.
Over the summer term, places
were once again thrown open to
our highest achieving students, with
those already involved having to
work their way through the rigorous
interview process for a second time.
Designed to mirror the experience
that applicants to the UK’s top
universities are likely to face,
students from years 7-10 were tested
on their ability to analyse an unseen
text, their knowledge of current
affairs and their understanding of
their preferred subject.
Congratulations to the 35
interviewees who were offered
a place on the project for the
coming year.
STUDENTS were treated to a special tour of Downing Street, during
which they enjoyed a private Q&A with Chancellor of the Exchequer
George Osborne.
The Chancellor was particularly impressed by the performance
of ARK BDA students at a schools’ debating event, in which his son
was competing. In appreciation of their efforts, he invited them on a
trip to the Prime Minister’s residence and the Houses of Parliament.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for both students and staff to
experience what lies behind the iconic black door of Number 10,”
said Mr Ribton. “George Osborne was the perfect host.”
The group, comprising a mix of sixth form politics students and
the school’s debating team, talked to Mr Osborne about his time
at school, changes to the curriculum and how he manages to
maintain a relatively normal family life.
In response, the Chancellor said: “You all go to a great school.
Everyone here is talking about ARK Burlington Danes all the time.”
An education for life
Snapshot
in time
From cheese-making to the Cold War
An enriching year
Invitation to Number 10
The house that ARK
BDA built
Live from the Barbican!
MUSICIANS from ARK BDA
performed at the Barbican
Centre last term, entertaining a
full house with a contemporary
and classical repertoire.
Our rising stars joined students
from 25 academies across the
country on stage at the prestigious
venue for the sixth ARK Schools
Music Gala. It was the largest
music event in ARK’s history,
with more than 750 students
taking part.
“We know that music plays an
extraordinary part in our students’
lives,” said Bryan Welton, director
of music at ARK. “We believe every
child can be a musician and that,
through music, students become
curious about what the world
has to offer.”
The evening’s programme
included adaptations of hits by
Pharrell Williams and Adele,
as well as takes on classical
favourites such as Beethoven’s
Ode to Joy. Marking 70 years since
the Normandy Landings and 100
years since the start of the Great
War, students also performed
a moving rendition of John
Williams’s Hymn to the Fallen.

3. 4
A Church of England and ARK Academy
5
This year’s results at GCSE are significantly
higher than national averages across the
board, while outstanding results at A-level
enable our students to access fantastic
opportunities at top-end universities
Excellence across the curriculum
Record-breaking
results!
I got an A in
chemistry, an A in
geography and an
A in biology. All
the hard work, all
the extra hours,
all the Saturdays
I came in, all the
pass papers I did,
all the cue cards –
it really paid off.
Zeinab Ali
SIXTH form students at ARK Burlington Danes Academy
have achieved perfection, breaking their own A-level
results record with 100% of grades awarded at A*-E.
A massive 84% of exams were graded A*-C, while
an impressive 58% scored A*-B – well above current
national averages.
Every student who applied for university secured
a place, with 30% of applications accepted by top
institutions, including Cambridge, Manchester,
Southampton and the London School of Economics.
Adekunle Awodele, who sat his exams aged just 17, is
set to study architecture at Trinity College, Cambridge,
having achieved an A* in art and design, a B in maths
and a B in RE.
“This is another fantastic set of results, for the school
and for our students,” said Principal Mr Ribton. “Many
are going off to the country’s best universities and I wish
them every success in the future.”
Director of sixth form Laura Megaw said: “Our results
show outstanding A-level and vocational achievement
with a huge increase in grades at A*-B and A*-C. I am
very proud of our students’ achievements.”
OUR GCSE students are celebrating yet another excellent
set of results, with a record-breaking 80% achieving A*-C
in at least five subjects, including English and maths. This
makes us the first ARK transition school to break into the
80s and the results are once again significantly higher
than national averages.
ARK BDA Principal Mr Ribton said: “Testimony to the
hard work of governors, staff and students, the school
continues to make a huge difference to the local White
City community.”
High-performing student Cassandra Macrae, who
picked up five A*s, five As and a B, said: “It’s taken
willpower, but the school has been amazing in the way
they have supported individual students’ needs. Teachers
use their own time to help students, which in itself really
pushes them because they know it’s much easier to
achieve good or great grades when they are being fully
supported and encouraged.”
Despite offers from other schools, Cassandra wants
to attend ARK BDA Sixth Form and hopes one day to be
a writer.
Mr Ribton continued: “I am delighted with this year’s
GCSE results. The students’ hard work and perseverance
has really paid off. They have made incredible progress
over the past years and I feel confident they will go on to
make the most of their potential.”
Top-end achievement
I’ll be studying English literature
at Exeter. One day, I’d like to
be a writer. I thought I might get
straight As, but I didn’t think I’d
get an A*, especially in
philosophy.
When I got
to A-levels, I
realised I had
a shot at going
to university,
so I worked
hard. My
family are
so pleased
for me.
I got an A* in maths, an A in
further maths and a C in physics,
so I got into my first choice of
Sheffield University, where
I’ll be studying maths.
Eventually, I’d like
to teach. I’ve been
at ARK BDA since
year 7, and they
supported me so much
that I decided to stay
on in the sixth form.
There are so many
opportunities here.
I had a great time.
I got three As: in history, geography and
politics, and I got into my first choice,
LSE, to study international relations and history.
My plan is to become a freelance journalist. At
ARK BDA, they would say to us ‘Are you willing
to put the work in?’.
If you said yes, they
would say ‘Okay,
then you’re going to
a good university’. If
you’re willing to play
your part, then they
certainly are. I’m
massively in their debt.
Fred Gill
Zwan Mahmod
Jemma Smith

4. 6 7
A Church of England and ARK Academy
A GROUP of year 9 students, who have been
studying the Holocaust in their history lessons,
welcomed concentration camp survivor Zigi Shipper
to the school last term.
Mr Shipper, who was born in Poland in 1930
and later settled in London, spoke movingly about
his life during World War II, which included a spell
at Auschwitz concentration camp, before he was
liberated in 1945.
Mr Shipper regularly tours schools, sharing his
inspirational story with today’s youngsters and
raising awareness of the dangers of prejudice. An
article about his remarkable life is available to read
in the latest news section of our school website.
YEAR 8 students attended horse-riding
lessons at the Wormwood Scrubs Pony
Centre last term. Afterward, at a special
prize-giving ceremony at the stables,
they received awards and
commendations in
recognition of the skills they acquired
during the course.
Competing against four other schools,
the ARK BDA students achieved second
place overall and, in a traditional London
ceremony, were presented with their
awards by the Pearly King and Queen
of Newham.
Mrs Schulkes said: “The students
were all really well behaved and they did
extremely well in the lessons. They all
had great fun at the centre.”
THE ARK BDA Careers
Department is always helping
students prepare for their
next step.
In addition to experts coming in
to talk to students as part of our
World of Work Speaker Series, the
Careers team secured 160 work
experience placements last term
for students in year 10.
They included roles in the
fashion industry, marketing, public
relations, visual merchandising
and even special effect makeup.
This year, there was particular
emphasis on social action, so
students also worked at charity
shops, children’s centres, care
homes and primary schools.
THE summer term at ARK BDA is always a busy
one, and this year was no exception.
This year’s Summer Fayre was bathed in glorious
sunshine. Packed with a vast selection of diverse
stalls – ranging from bric-a-brac to henna tattooing
– there were also plenty of refreshments and games
to enjoy. An exceptional line-up of talented students
entertained the crowd on the main stage throughout
the afternoon.
A special thank you to everyone who ran a stall
or performed on stage, and, of course, to Mr
Prout and Mr Goorah for organising another
memorable occasion.
The combined Summer Art Exhibition and First
Story anthology launch was also warmly received
by an enthusiastic audience. With so many
impressive artworks on display, the atmosphere
was perfect for students to read extracts from their
latest work, Concrete.
ARK BDA students have thrown
themselves into all three of the Duke
of Edinburgh’s Awards this year,
overcoming countless challenges
along the way.
The year 10s involved in the Bronze
Award completed a practice expedition
in Epping Forest, ahead of the real
thing in Ashdown Forest. Fifty-two
students split into groups and put their
compass and map-reading skills to the
test for a 12-mile hike to the campsite,
before the trek back the next day.
Those students who did the Silver
Award undertook their final, three-
day walk in the New Forest, having
warmed up in the Chilterns. Mr
Lawrence said: “I’m very proud of
all the students involved. They have
shown great commitment
and resilience.”
The Gold Award sixth formers
completed their challenge in the harsh
wilderness of the Brecon Beacons,
displaying exceptional standards of
teamwork and endurance.
Our Duke of Edinburgh students
have also been volunteering in the
local community and taking part in
regular, out-of-school activities.
Life beyond
the Holocaust
Year 8 ride high
Students step up to the world of work
Summer fun
and games
Culture at first hand
Spirit of adventure
Here’s what some of the students
thought of their experiences:
Ali @ NW London Hospitals
NHS Trust: “I’ve found my
work placement exciting and
have enjoyed giving back to
the community.”
Dareen @ Shepherd’s Bush
Families Project: “I love making
a difference to the children. I’ll keep
volunteering here, I love it
so much.”
Kevin @ RNB Building Co:
“I’ve woken up each morning really
looking forward to going to work.”
Mrs Finnett said: “The most
rewarding thing for me is seeing
so many of them really flourish in
a new environment.”
DURING the penultimate week before
the summer break, the whole of key
stage 3 explored the wonders of
London as part of our Cultural
Capital initiative.
Over two days, students enjoyed
visits to St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate
Modern, Kew Gardens, Barnes
Wetland Centre, the Tower of London,
British Museum, Royal Observatory,
Churchill Museum, Victoria and Albert
Museum, National Gallery, Museum of
London, Science Museum and Natural
History Museum.
Next came our Cross-Curricular
Project. This year, we dedicated the two
days to researching and celebrating the
amazing range of countries that took
part in the 2014 World Cup. As well as
soaking up as much information as
possible, each team was tasked with
creating a display to go on show in the
Sports Hall. We also held the first ARK
BDA Football World Cup.
On the final day of the week, students
took part in our annual Sports Day,
which showcased the impressive depth
of athletic talent we have at the school.

5. ARK Burlington Danes Academy
Wood Lane, London W12 0HR
Tel: 020 8735 4950 Fax: 020 8740 5659
Email: bda.school@burlingtondanes.org
Website: www.burlingtondanes.org
Follow us on Twitter: @burlingtondanes
Editorial team: Mr T Cooke, Communications Manager.
Produced by Words&Pictures. Tel: 01943 854800.
QPR and former England football
star Jermaine Jenas launched a new
training programme at ARK BDA
before the summer break. The scheme
was aimed at improving students’
academic performance as well as
their football skills.
“I’m really pleased to be working
with the staff and students at ARK
Burlington Danes. All of us at QPR have
a great relationship with the school
and are proud to support our local
schoolchildren,” said Jenas. “Education
is very important to me. When I was
growing up, I always enjoyed school.”
WE have been fortunate to boast a wealth
of athletic talent over the years.
Triple jumper Lia Stephenson has
continued on her path to sporting stardom
this year, winning her first international
call-up having jumped to glory at the Indoor
National Championships. Since then she
has been crowned the Welsh International
champion, come second in the Sheffield
nationals, won the South of England
Championships and was awarded the
best athlete award at the Middlesex
Track and Field Championships.
With Lia set to head off to university,
her shoes will be difficult to fill, but
Riannah Audain, in year 9, is looking
every inch a star of the future. Back in
June, Riannah ran the 100m in 12.6
seconds, making her the fastest girl of
her age in London over that distance.
Teaming up
with QPR
STRIVE to succeed
RUGBY has become a key ingredient in the
sporting diet of our students over the past two
years, with the boys racking up the silverware
as a result of their hard work.
Year 8 students from Isaac
Newton, Bolingbroke and
ARK Putney came together
on our field to compete
for the coveted ARK rugby
7s title. At the end of an
afternoon of quality rugby,
the ARK BDA boys were
victorious for the second year running.
Mr Thornton, our specialist coach, said: “It’s
great to come together with other ARK schools
for some friendly competition. It’s plain to see that
a lot of time and effort
has gone into training
over the last year.”
Our talented year 7
boys also had a great
year, which included
taking home the
Middlesex Plate.
Rugby rules!
MEMBERS of Virgin’s STRIVE Challenge team dropped in at
ARK BDA last term, where students were carrying out their
own character-building crusade.
In partnership with the charity Big Change, the Challenge
involved ten fundraisers who ran, rowed, cycled and hiked
from London to the summit of the Matterhorn, with our very
own Ms Cartlidge joining them on the final leg of the journey.
Inspired by the initiative, staff and students set out to run,
row, cycle and hike 1,305km during the last five days before
the summer break. In fact, they exceeded 1,500km. Year
8 student Aadarsh said: “I think if we were doing what the
STRIVE Challenge team are doing, we wouldn’t last very long.
It’s great they came here and encouraged us to do more.”
Visiting ARK BDA were project founders Sam Branson and
his cousin Noah Devereux, and their teammate Karl Lokko,
a former gang leader who has turned his life around.
The Virgin STRIVE Challenge aims to raise £750,000 to
support young people in the UK to develop the life skills
they need to reach their potential.
On track
to stardom