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ARK PUTNEY ACADEMY SIXTH FORM
PROSPECTUS 2014-15
ABOUT ARK SCHOOLS
ARK Putney Academy and ARK Putney Sixth Form
Academy are part of ARK Schools, a high-achieving
group of 31 academies across London, Birmingham,
Hastings and Portsmouth.
Although each ARK school has its own distinctive
character and ethos, all share the same mission: to
make sure that every child does well enough to go on
to university or into a career of their choice.
WELCOME
FROM THE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
Dear students and parents
I’m proud to welcome you to
ARK Putney Academy Sixth Form.
We are a fully inclusive academy
committed to helping every student achieve their
potential and go on to university or into a career of
their choice.
At ARK Putney Academy Sixth Form all students are
individuals and are treated that way. We make sure
that each student is on the right path for them, and
supported in that chosen path.
Of course, we want all our students to strive for
excellence in lessons. But we also encourage you
to make a positive contribution to your community
– not just within the sixth form but the school as a
whole and in the wider local area. We believe this will
help you to lead a happy and productive adult life.
With this in mind, we focus on:
•The right pathway for all. Making sure every
student is doing the right subjects for them and
getting the support needed to prepare for higher
education, apprenticeships or the workplace.
•Community. As well as being a member of the
sixth form community, students are an important
part of the wider ARK Putney Academy community
acting as role models and mentors for younger
students. Students also contribute to the wider area
we live in through various community projects.
•High expectations. Every student will achieve
the success they are capable of and every student will
be courteous and respectful at all times.
We welcome all students who are ready to work
hard and get involved in all aspects of sixth form life.
I look forward to meeting you.
Laura Brimacombe
Head of Sixth Form
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FINDING THE
RIGHT PATHWAY
It is important to us that every student is on the right
pathway for them. This is why we offer a wide range of
subjects and ways to study.
Students can choose to study any of the following:
•Four A levels + EPQ (Extended Project
Qualification)
•Four A levels + DoE (Duke of Edinburgh
Award)
•Three A levels
•BTEC (Extended Diploma – equivalent to
three A levels) + One AS level
•BTEC (Extended Diploma – equivalent to
three A levels) + retake GCSE English and/
or maths
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See all of the subjects that we offer here
arkputneyacademy.org
If you are not sure which pathway is right for you, come
and see us and we can support you in your decision.
“The Sixth Form Society is considered one of the
best in London, with a history of very high calibre
speakers visiting our school. In recent years we
have welcomed figures such as Ken Livingstone,
Peter Tatchell and John Sweeney amongst many
others. This year we welcome a broad range
of speakers from industries as diverse as, film
production, literature, art, politics, law, medicine,
charitable foundations, PR, science as well as a
range of university lecturers coming to speak on
their subjects. The benefits of this programme are
enormous. Our students gain insights into industries
and areas of thought that may be directly relevant
to their futures and improve their awareness of
current affairs, business and critical thinking. Our
speakers provide a rich mine of information and
perspectives that form a unique part of the sixth
form experience at ARK Putney Academy.”
Edward Davison, Assistant Head of 6th Form
SUCCEEDING
BEYOND THE
CLASSROOM
We believe in developing students beyond the classroom –
that’s why we offer many opportunities alongside the formal
curriculum. Students can use these opportunities to work
towards their ARK Enrichment Award.
We encourage students to give back to the school and wider
community. You can become a prefect, join one of our school
committees, support inter-house competitions and take part
in paired reading and tutoring for younger students.
All our students also take part in ARK Schools network
events, such as the ARK Schools Music Gala at the Barbican,
the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival, and other events
such as debating competitions.
Some of the activities you can get involved with are:
African drumming
Mathematics
Animation &
games design
Music groups
Catering
Chess
Debating
History
Poetry
Sailing
Sports
United Nations Club
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OUR FACILITIES
We are currently undergoing a £30 million project
to refurbish our whole school building. The project
is scheduled to be completed in summer 2015, and
will give us a brand new dedicated sixth form area
separate from the rest of the school. This will include
a common room, a library, computer labs and specific
sixth form classrooms. This unique space will give the
space needed to develop as young adults.
Our indoor facilities will include a new four-court
sports hall, where students will enjoy games from
football to badminton, as well as an activity studio for
dance, boxing and other aerobic activities. We will also
have a new art facility on our top floor, with stunning
views across London.
“Education is your oyster. It takes
you where you want to go,”
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Aaisha, a former ARK Putney Sixth Form
student now studying Aviation Pilot
Studies in High Wycombe
UNIVERSITY AND CAREER SUCCESS
We believe that all of our students have the potential to go onto university or into a career of their choice.
To achieve this we offer support and guidance to suit every student.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Every year 12 student takes part in work experience. We offer unique
opportunities to gain experience and advice from a huge range of
companies and industries. Below are just a few examples of where
our students have worked:
•Goldman Sachs
•KPMG
•Local primary schools
•Solicitors firms
•Buckingham Palace
•Barclays
•International management consultants
UNIVERSITY PREPARATION
For students looking to go to university we have a range of
programmes that provide support and advice on the journey to
university.
Oxbridge mentoring scheme, where they meet current students from
Oxford and Cambridge to gain advice and an insight into university life.
We are also part of the Teach First Futures programme which gives
students access to; mentoring, residential university courses (including
Oxford, Cambridge & Southampton), and competitive course support.
We work closely with ARK Schools to develop strong relationships
with universities and our students have access to ARK’s University and
Careers Success Programme.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Students can apply for a number of bursaries and scholarships to
support them whilst at sixth form, and as they move on to university.
During sixth form students can apply for a Vulnerable Bursary (up to
£1200) or a Discretionary Bursary (approx. £50 per term).
To help pay for university students can apply for bursaries of £3,000
for the first year, or scholarships worth £40,000.
For the past two years seven of our students were awarded bursaries.
Support can be anything from helping you to make your choices,
helping to write personal statements and going on university visits.
Some of our 6th formers participate in the Danson Foundation
More information and application forms will be available at the
start of term.
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OUR STUDENTS
Sara achieved an A* in Maths, and As in
Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry and is
going to Kings College, Cambridge to study
Medicine. Sara was awarded a bursary for
her first year at university.
Sara came to the UK from Iraq with her family when she was eight. “There was a war
going on and my parents decided to escape the country so we were asylum seekers when
we arrived here. I never thought I would make it to Cambridge from that starting point.”
Hamza achieved an A* in Design & Technology and
As in Maths and Chemistry. Hamza is
going to Manchester University to study
Petroleum Engineering. Hamza was
awarded a bursary for his first year at
university.
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Being born in a difficult environment you learn things and you
pick up things. In life you just have to adapt and I think I’ve
adapted. My goal is to get a good degree and work in a good place. My dad has been to
university before and he knows how important it is to go to university and get a degree
and get a job.
My plan is to spend the bursary money wisely on things like accommodation or if I need
to travel somewhere. Unlike other students, I’m not really that financially stable. Having
this money relaxes me and I know I can trust myself at university
Jake achieved A*s in Chemistry and
Physics and an A in Maths and is
studying Astrophysics at University
College London. Jake was awarded
a scholarship, which helps him pay
for his studies.
Space always fascinated me – the stars, the planets, what’s out
there. It makes your mind boggle, and makes you feel insignificant
to know there’s more than just this in the universe. I want to be at
the forefront of human progression, and I think going into the space
sector is the way forward.
“ I joined the sixth form late but through the help of the
receptive teachers and my fellow supportive students,
I managed to quickly catch up and my good set of ASLevel results reflect this. The teachers are friendly,
enthusiastic and encouraging. My English and History
teachers, in particular, routinely recommend books and
topics to read, thus refining existing interests and creating
new ideas to pursue. “
Maan, Year 13 student
I’m now studying Astrophysics. It’s exciting and stressful at the same
time! At times it’s super hard – I have to work long hours. On a
Monday I start at 9am and I finish at 9:30pm. It’s really fun, though.
The scholarship is a lifesaver. I was surprised how much it benefitted
me. I wouldn’t be at university halls if I didn’t have the bursary - it’s
just so expensive. And I wouldn’t have been able to go on the trips
I’ve been on. I bought all my books outright, I can have them in my
room and make notes inside them.
If I had one piece of advice for students going to university I’d say;
enjoy it, be yourself – don’t try to be anyone else. And show that
you’re genuine about your subject, about the thing you love.
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ACHIEVING OUR GOALS
We use six key principles in everything we do
1. HIGH EXPECTATIONS
We believe that every student is capable
of excellence. We set aspirational targets
according to students’ GCSE results. In the
sixth form, we expect a 100% pass rate in all A
level courses.
2. EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOUR
We foster a culture of respect and value each
individual member of our community. We
maintain a rigorous behaviour and attendance
policy.
3. EXCELLENT TEACHING
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Excellent schools are built on excellent
teaching. We make sure that our staff have
time every week for training and development
which is personalized to the needs of the
individual.
4. DEPTH BEFORE BREADTH
We believe that students should have a deep
understanding of the subjects they study. That’s
why all A level teachers are highly qualified
in their subjects. We expect all lessons to be
challenging, engaging and effective.
5. MORE TIME FOR
LEARNING
We want students to take part in all aspects of
academy life – so, we make every minute of life
in the sixth form count. Every week students
take part in our PHSE programme, exploring a
range of issues from money to relationships to
cyber safety.
6. KNOWING EVERY CHILD
Every sixth form student has a personal
progress mentor to help you achieve your full
potential. We are a caring community where
there is always someone to talk through any
issues or problems including a counselling team
of pastoral support workers.
We also have an experienced Special
Educational Needs Team, who can step in
to support any students who are having
difficulties.
APPLYING
FOR A PLACE AT ARK
PUTNEY SIXTH FORM
To get a place at ARK Putney Sixth Form, you’ll
need to meet the following criteria:
- For A level and level 3 courses you’ll need 5A*-C
passes at GCSE, preferably including English and
maths, and including a B or merit in the subject
you want to study
- If you’ve never studied the subject you want to
study, we’ll look at your English and Maths grades
If you meet these criteria and are interested in
joining the sixth form, please go online and register
your interest with us, arkputneyacademy.org
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If you’d like to know more about ARK Putney
Sixth Form Academy, please get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you.
PAY US A VISIT
CONTACT US
ARK Putney Academy
Pullman Gardens
London SW15 3DG
Telephone: 020 8788 3421
Email: [email protected]
Web: arkputneyacademy.org
BUSES
37, 39, 85, 93, 424
BUSES
85, 170, 493
BUSES
39, 93, 170, 493

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