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 specialist range of Ark Professional Pathways 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. 

To apply for September 2026 complete the form below. 

If you'd like to visit the school ahead of your interview, contact pmerton@arkacton.org and come for a coffee morning. 

If you have any questions about the admissions process, don't hesitate to get in contact.

Ark Acton Academy Application form for September 2026

Admissions Policy

Appeals

is unique! 

Ark Professional Pathways offer a route to university or apprenticeships for ambitious pupils with GCSE grades 4-6, or those that find exams hard to manage. 

Our Foundation Pathway is for pupils who need to resit English and/Maths GCSE, but want to start their ambitious level three qualification alongside this. 

Both Pathways are a high quality vocational curriculum that is directly relevant to the workplace, teaches students key employability skills and keep the door to study at the top universities in the country open. 

Entry criteria: Professional Pathway  -5 subjects at GCSE with Grade 4 and above, including at least a 4 in English and Mathematics. Foundation Pathway - 3 subjects at 4 and above, a 3 in Maths and/ or English. 

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Individual course entry requirements

Professional Pathways 

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.