Ark Pioneer Academy celebrates university places for first sixth formers

Ark Pioneer Academy, located in Chipping Barnet, is celebrating a significant milestone as a high proportion of its first sixth form cohort have secured places at leading universities. The school, which opened in 2019 on the former Barnet Football Club stadium site at Underhill, has consistently been oversubscribed and currently educates over 1,100 pupils.

University Destinations

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Four students from the inaugural sixth form intake have accepted places at King’s College London, with three others heading to University College London. Additional students will attend universities including Durham, Exeter, Warwick, Southampton, and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Principal Su Reddy expressed pride in the school community, stating that the achievement level was well above the national average.

Assistant Principal and Head of Sixth Form, Tim Goundry, confirmed that Ark Pioneer Academy offers 100 sixth form places annually. These places include 18 A-level subjects and BTEC diplomas in science or business. Approximately one-third of the academy's sixth form students join from other schools in Barnet, Enfield, and further afield. Some students received bursaries to assist with living expenses, an award available across the Ark academies network.

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The school has also established partnerships with Imperial College London, where 35 students are being mentored by academics on personal research projects. Ark Pioneer serves as a hub for events organised by Oxford and Cambridge colleges to prepare students for university interviews. Councillor Josh Tapper of Underhill ward praised the school's success, noting its strong performance within the borough.

Ark Pioneer Academy is committed to developing strong community links. Pupils and parents contribute to the Chipping Barnet Food Bank and participate in the First Give fundraising project, which has supported causes such as the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. The school also highlighted its recent A-level and BTEC results, with grades ranging from 98.9% at A*-E to 14.7% at A*-A.

Upcoming Open Evening

Ark Pioneer Academy will host a sixth form open evening on Thursday 22 October, running from 16:30 to 19:30. This event will provide prospective students and their families with information about the academic offerings and the school's environment.