After continual budget deficits, Ark took the contentious decision to bring Ark Helenswood and Ark William Parker together as one school on two sites. The Helenswood campus would house KS3, years 7-8 and the William Parker campus years 9-13 which includes the sixth form. The Minister approved this proposed merger on 19 December 2018 and on 1 September 2019, Ark Helenswood closed and merged with Ark William Parker. Ark Alexandra assumed the legal identity of Ark William Parker with an expanded co-educational capacity of 2100 students across two sites and it opened on 1 September 2019. The Principal and Executive Principal of Ark William Parker assumed their same roles at Ark Alexandra Academy and they are assisted by an Associate Regional Principal and a Regional Director. In January 2020, the Principal, Stephanie Newman, announced she was stepping back. She was appointed in 2017 as the Acting Principal which makes her the longest serving Principal of Ark William Parker. Campus After Ark Helenswood merged into Ark William Parker to become Ark Alexandra, the academy now educates students across two sites: the Helenswood (Lower) Campus and the William Parker (Upper) Campus. Below are the details of the William Parker Campus: Upper Block Art Science History English French Food Technology Cricket Pavilion and Sports field. Sociology Middle Block The middle block is the newest classroom building on the site and it houses the library and two IT classrooms. Library Geography Spanish Government & Politics History Lower Block The lower block is a 1/2 storey building with a 'bare-brick' style. The classrooms here are: Mathematics, DT, Graphics, ICT, Business, Economics, Politics, Drama, PE and SEN (Special Educational Needs). Also on the Lower School grounds is a Sports Centre, Engineers Garage and Athletics Track. The lessons taught in the Lower block are: Business and Economics Mathematics Design Technology Graphics Literacy RE ICT History PE PSHE ISEND Music Other Facilities 465 Computers for student use Drama studio Nine science laboratories Three Art and design suites Fully equipped graphics studio capable of working with up to 28 students Open-plan Resource and Library Centre Air-conditioned classrooms New Sports Centre Old Sports Hall Classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards ABJ indoor cricket school (built in commemoration of Alan Booth Jones) Dance Studio Small theatre Train 2 Learn Centre William Parker Community Athletics Arena Sports, clubs, and traditions William Parker Apart from football and cricket, many other sports are played like