Headteacher of Ark John Keats Academy says she is “delighted” to open “exceptional” new facility for school’s A-Level students

The opening of Ark Keats Academy's new sixth form block — The opening of Ark Keats Academy’s new sixth form block

A school in Enfield Wash has opened its “exceptional” new sixth-form building.

Ark John Keats Academy in Bell Lane is celebrating the opening of its “state-of-the-art” sixth form. Designed in partnership with Gibson Thornley Architects, the new building brings together both refurbished and newly-created spaces.

It features two upgraded classrooms alongside four new purpose-built classrooms, two dedicated study areas, a seminar room, and a double-height entrance lobby lined with birch panelling and quarry tiles – giving the interior a “sophisticated yet understated feel”.

The building is designed to meet high sustainability standards, including a ventilation system that maintains comfortable temperatures while reducing energy consumption. The eco-friendly design also reduced the amount of carbon released during its construction by 38%, the school says.

Academy principal Katie Marshall said: “We are thrilled to open this exceptional new sixth form space for our students.

“It has been carefully designed not only to meet our educational needs, but to create a warm, modern and inspiring environment that supports independent learning, collaboration and wellbeing.

“This building marks an exciting new chapter for Ark John Keats Academy, and I cannot wait to see our students thrive in it.”

Ark John Keats Academy’s A-level results were in the top 10% in the country last summer. In recent years, more than 60% of students progressed to a top-third university, compared to 38% nationally. The new centre will allow the school to increase its over-16s intake to up to 300 students over time.

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