Why Ark Acton’s Sixth Form?
✔️ Our graduates perform highly and secure places at top universities and degree apprenticeships. We offer an aspirational careers programme that prepares students for life after school.
✔️ Our wide range of subject options provides students with lots of choice, allowing them to pick courses that align with their interests, strengths and future goals.
✔️ We make sure everyone feels like they can belong. We care about our students’ wellbeing and work with mental health partners to provide support.
✔️ Students benefit from a broad and exciting range of trips, activities and experiences that allow them to develop into well-rounded, confident young adults.
✔️ Students have access to generous outdoor space, large green fields, an on-site sports centre, and first-class music facilities.
How to apply
Applications for September 2025 are open.
Applications are made directly to our sixth form, using the link below. Each student must complete an application form with details of predicted grades and related course options. After submitting an application, each student will have a formal admissions interview with a member of the Sixth Form team. Offers are subject to change in accordance with the actual results a student achieves.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, don't hesitate to get in contact.
Pathways
We offer two key pathways at Ark Acton Sixth Form.
A Level Pathway
We offer the core academic A Level subjects that we know are most valued by good universities, and that allow you to keep your progression options as open as possible. Most students will study three linear A levels; some will take a fourth subject, depending on GCSE results.
Entry criteria: 7 subjects at GCSE with Grade 5 and above, including at least a 5 in English and Mathematics. You will also need to meet the individual entry criteria for specific subjects.
Professional Pathways
Professional Pathways is an innovative programme of study for Ark BTEC students aged 16-18, comprising a high quality vocational curriculum that is directly relevant to the workplace and teaches students key employability skills. This programme is aimed at preparing students to apply for selective universities or for progression directly into employment through school leaver programmes or degree apprenticeships.
Entry criteria: 5 subjects at GCSE with Grade 4 and above, including at least a 4 in English and Mathematics.
Find out more
Ark's unique Professional Pathways programme
Sixth formers love our unique vocational alternative to A levels, which provides them with the skills they need to thrive at university and throughout their career.
Access game-changing bursaries
For Year 13 leavers going onto higher education, we offer bursaries ranging from £3,000 to £50,000 to help with the financial costs of university life.
Best-in-class careers provision
Our pupils dream big for life after school thanks to our highly aspirational careers programme, which includes visits to prestigious universities and employers, one-to-one guidance and a rich programme of workshops and visiting speakers.
Entry requirements
Individual course entry requirements
| Subject Name | GCSE Requirements | |
| Biology |
GCSE Biology: 7 GCSE Trilogy: 7 in both Biology Paper 1 and Biology Paper 2, GCSE Maths: 7 |
|
| Chemistry |
GCSE Chemistry: 7, GCSE Maths: 7 GCSE Trilogy: 7 in both Chemistry Paper 1 and Chemistry Paper 2, GCSE Maths: 7 |
|
| Economics |
GCSE English: 6 GCSE Maths: 5 |
|
| English Literature | GCSE English Literature OR English Language: 6 | |
| Foundation Pathway (Resit GCSE basics and start Professional Pathways) |
GCSE 3/3 in Maths and English or 4/3 split either way. |
|
| History | GCSE History: 6 OR GCSE English: 6 | |
| Maths | GCSE Maths: 7 | |
| Physics |
GCSE Physics: 7, GCSE Maths: 7 GCSE Trilogy: 7 in both Physics Paper 1 and Physics Paper 2, GCSE Maths: 7 |
|
| Politics | GCSE: History: 6 OR GCSE English: 6 | |
| Professional Pathways Business Studies | GCSE: 3x Grade 5-9 AND 2x Grade 4-9 | |
| Professional Pathways Applied Science |
|
|
| Professional Pathways Applied Science | GCSE 5/4 in combined science or higher | |
| Psychology |
GCSE Maths: 5 GCSE Science: 6 |
|
| Sociology | GCSE English: 6 |
Access to courses will be based on the following:
- Actual GCSE grades
- Course-specific admissions criteria
- Individual student data
- Advice and guidance of the Sixth Form team
Course options are subject to change during the autumn term if students are struggling with the level of study required and not progressing as expected.
Internal Students
We actively support and encourage internal students to apply to the Sixth Form. Every student receives advice and guidance from both the Head of Year 11 and form tutors about the best subject combinations for different degree courses and careers.
Internal applicants should note that they are not guaranteed a place in Sixth Form.
External Students
External students should bring proof of identification to interview, and on results day they must see a member of Ark Acton’s Sixth Form team with their results; individuals who fail to do so will not be offered a place. Please note that Ark Acton does not admit external students who have failed Year 12 courses elsewhere and wish to re-take them.
Oversubscribed Courses
Our maximum class sizes are 15 for science subjects, 18 for practical-based subjects, and 22 for classroom-based subjects. Where a course is oversubscribed, we will give first priority to students on roll during the previous academic year, then students who have met the application deadline, and then finally those with higher GCSE or vocational qualification grades relevant to the course.