Why choose Ark Acton’s Sixth Form?
✔️ High performing
Ark Acton has the top BTEC results in Ealing and we’re the 7th best state school provider in the country for Professional Pathways in Business Studies, Sport Science, Medical Applied Science and IT.
✔️ Aspirational offer
We offer a high quality vocational alternative to A levels, helping students gain the knowledge, confidence and practical skills they need to thrive at university and in their future careers.
✔️ Excellent destinations
Our students progress to top universities and competitive degree apprenticeships. Across the Ark network, over 40% of Professional Pathways graduates go on to top-third universities or top100 apprenticeships — seven times the national average.
✔️ Study bursaries
A range of financial bursaries to assist with university costs are available to Year 13 leavers.
✔️ Inclusive and supportive
We’re committed to making sure every student feels they belong. Wellbeing matters here, and we work closely with mental health partners to provide the right support for every young person.
✔️ Extracurricular opportunities
Students benefit from a rich programme of trips, clubs and experiences designed to build confidence, character and leadership — helping them grow into well-rounded young adults.
✔️Top notch facilities
Students enjoy access to generous outdoor space, green fields, an onsite sports centre and outstanding music facilities.
Courses and Pathways
We offer four subjects:
- Business Studies: Develops practical skills and a theoretical understanding of the world of business, including finance, marketing, human resource management and e-business. You will have opportunities to devise your own business plans and run your own business activities and events.
- Medical Applied Science: Offers units on biology, chemistry and physics, with an emphasis on hands on experience and practical skills. Modules include scientific principles, laboratory techniques, and scientific investigations.
- Sports Science: Prepares learners for employment in the sport sector or higher education studies in sport and exercise science. Topics include: anatomy, physiology, fitness training, nutrition, and professional development in the sports industry.
- Information Technology: Prepares students for university or roles in IT through practical, skill-based learning in areas like cybersecurity, programming, and systems development.
Two pathways are open to students:
- Professional Pathways offers a route to university or apprenticeships for ambitious students with GCSE grades 4-6, or those that find exams hard to manage.
- Our Foundation Pathway is for students 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 requirements
| Business Studies | 5 x GCSE at 4+ |
| Applied Science | 5 x GCSE at 4+ (including at least grade 4 in English and Maths AND 5/4 in combined science or higher) |
| Sports Science | 5 x GCSE at 4+ and/or 4 in combined science or higher |
| Foundation Pathway | 3 subjects at 4 and above, a 3 in Maths and/ or English |
Access to courses will be based on the following:
- Final 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.
How to apply
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.
Application form for September 2026
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.
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.
