Curriculum

At Ark Academy we offer our students a traditional, academic A-Level curriculum, alongside a tailored and purpose built Professional Pathway curriculum. This is a Level 3 BTEC (Business or Applied Science) built alongside a professional partner and a work readiness programme, that is only available in Ark schools.

Students who study A-Level all follow the linear mode with terminal exams at the end of year 13 in three subjects. A small minority of pupils will study further maths as a fourth A-Level.

In addition, we offer two professional pathways qualifications, a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business and in Applied Science. Some students following the professional pathways programme are also (in year 12) taking core maths.

Each A Level subject taken has 6 periods per week, (further maths has 8, core maths has 4) and professional pathways have 15 periods per week. The remaining periods are allocated to independent study. Having study periods and two exclusive, designated study rooms is a great privilege of being a sixth former at Ark.

We offer all year 12 students an Ark Diploma, which awards personal development through extra-curricular activities, the ‘Civitas Hour’, leading societies and clubs, community outreach and “off specification” learning. The Ark Diploma appeals to universities because it is evidence that students are active and well-rounded young people – someone universities would want on their campuses. In addition to this, we offer our students an opportunity to take the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze or Silver qualification.

Our primary focus at Key Stage 5 is university preparation. Ark Academy supports every student in choosing the right university pathway/ high level apprenticeship and career with confidence. The programme of Mindset through Y12 PSHE and daily tutor time leading into progression choices in Year 13 is of a very high standard. Students are challenged to think deeply about their future choices.

The Entry Criteria for Sixth Form is:

A-LEVEL

3 Grade 6-9 and 2 Grade 5-9 in GCSE, including at least a Grade 4 in English and Maths

Please look closely at the entry criteria for the specific subject you wish to study. This can be found here. While you may make the entry criteria for admission to the Sixth Form you might be restricted in terms of subject choice.