How to apply: Year 12 entry, September 2025
- Stage 1: Applications for entry to Year 12 in September 2025 have now closed. Due to oversubscription, late applications can only be considered in exceptional circumstances via emailing admissions@arkbolingbrokeacademy.org.
- Stage 2: Successful applicants will be invited to attend interview at the Academy in January 2025 for the final stage of the selection process.
- Stage 3: Successful applicants will be made a conditional offer in writing.
- Social events will be organised to bring current and new applicants together before starting Year 12.
- GCSE Masterclass Day will be in March - A tailored GCSE revision event for applicants targeted grade 8 and 9 in GCSE subjects they hope to carry on for A-Level.
- Stage 4: All hopeful applicants must attend Induction Day which is held after GCSE completion on in early July 2025.
- Stage 5: All applicants complete admissions baseline assessments for their chosen subjects
- Students will be given Bridging Projects to complete over the summer to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level courses, enabling them to get off to a flying start in September.
- Students will be given Bridging Projects to complete over the summer to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level courses, enabling them to get off to a flying start in September.
- Stage 6: On GCSE Results Day in August 2025, conditional offer holders must attend an enrolment interview in the afternoon to confirm admission and course choices.
Pathways
A Level & EPQ 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.
At Bolingbroke Academy, all A-level students in Year 12 complete the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (AQA). Not only does this allow students to explore a topic in academia that they are passionate about, but it is also hones skills which are vital for Higher Education and heavily sought after by universities.
The EPQ is equivalent to half of a full A-Level qualification and provides students with UCAS points, as well as often being a factor considered by admissions tutors. Alongside their own independent research, students undergo an intense taught skills programme of at least 30 hours which is spent developing a range of academic skills which are essential for the overall success of the project. Some of these hours are spent in a classroom setting, but there are also opportunities for students to develop skills using outside agencies and higher education institutions.
As part of the academic tutoring provision at Bolingbroke, students also have a dedicated subject specialist supervisor who is able to provide advice and guidance. Depending on the choice of project, it will either culminate in a 5,000 word report or an artefact and a 1,000 word report to accompany the artefact, with all projects completed by the end of Year 12.
Entry criteria:
- To study 3 A levels requires a GCSE point average of 6 or above, including at least a 6 in English and Mathematics.
- To study 4 A levels you will need an average of 7.5 or above, plus at least a 7 in English and Mathematics.
- In both cases, you will also need to meet the individual entry criteria for specific subjects.
Sixth Form Student Finance
Bolingbroke Sixth Form Bursary:
The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage who may otherwise leave full-time education, and is a replacement for the now disbanded Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Student eligibility for the payment is based on the following key criteria:
Full bursary - £1,200
• Young people in care, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
• Young care leavers
• Young people getting Income Support or the equivalent Universal Credit (UC) in their own right
• Young people getting both Disability Living Allowance (or the new Personal Independence Payments) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) (or Universal Credit as a replacement for ESA) in their own right
NB: Evidence supplied by your local authority will be required if you fall within the first four key groups outlined above.
Discretionary bursary: • for students who are in receipt of Free School Meals £200
The award will be paid directly into the student’s (or a parent’s) bank account on three separate occasions across the year. The approximate timelines are below:
- December • February • April
Terms and Conditions under which the bursary and support will be awarded
- The student must sustain an attendance level of at least 96% or better each month, with any absence authorised.
- The student must maintain the highest of effort levels for each course of study they follow. This includes meeting deadlines imposed by subject staff and completing all classwork/homework.
- The student must model exemplary behaviour. Poor behaviour will disqualify payment of the award for that month.
Please note that all decisions on payment of the discretionary bursary and award will be made by Ms Orchin. Decisions will be based on available data, and appeals will be adjudicated by Ms Edis (Principal) on behalf of the Academy’s governing body.
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.
Course requirements
Art |
6 in GCSE Art |
Biology |
6 in GCSE Biology |
Chemistry |
7 in GCSE Chemistry |
Computer Science |
7 in GCSE Computer Science and 6 in GCSE Mathematics |
English Literature |
6 in GCSE English Literature |
French |
7 in GCSE French |
Further Mathematics |
8 in GCSE Mathematics |
Geography |
6 in GCSE Geography |
Government and Politics | 6 in GCSE English, 6 in GCSE History (if taken) |
History |
6 in GCSE History |
Mathematics |
7 in GCSE Mathematics |
Music |
6 in GCSE Music |
Physics |
7 in GCSE Physics |
Psychology |
6 in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics |
Philosophy |
6 in GCSE Religious Studies or 7 in GCSE English |
Spanish |
7 in GCSE Spanish |
BTEC Applied Science |
5 in GCSE Science (Triple or Double), 5 in Maths and English |