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Ark Bolingbroke Academy[1]

Secondary · ages 11–18

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Headline results

Attainment 8
A8 56 56.2 2025/26[2]
A-level average grade
AL B B 2024/25[3]

Results

GCSE (key stage 4)

Attainment 8
56.2 2025/26[2]
Grade 5+ in English & maths
67.8% 2025/26[2]
Grade 7+ in English & maths
26.1% 2025/26[2]
Progress 8
+1.04 2023/24[4]
Progress 8, 2025/26
Not calculated[5]
Progress 8, 2024/25
Not calculated[5]
Earlier years
Year Attainment 8 Grade 5+ in English & maths Grade 7+ in English & maths Progress 8
2024/25 60.2[6] 79.1%[6]
2023/24 61.3[4] 84.3%[4] +1.04[4]
2022/23 56.2[7] 67%[7] +0.88[7]
2021/22 63.1[8] 82%[8] +0.85[8]

A level (16–18)

A-level average grade
B 2024/25[3]
AAB or better, at least two in facilitating subjects
25.4% 2024/25[3]
All results, 2020/21
Not published (exams cancelled, COVID-19)[9]
All results, 2019/20
Not published (exams cancelled, COVID-19)[9]
Earlier years
Year A-level average grade AAB or better, at least two in facilitating subjects
2023/24 B[10] 24.6%[10]
2022/23 B[11] 38.6%[11]
2021/22 B[12] 30.2%[12]
2018/19 C[13] 8.3%[13]

Destinations after GCSEs

Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment
91% 2022/23[14]
School sixth form
75% 2022/23[14]
Sixth-form college
3% 2022/23[14]
Further education college
11% 2022/23[14]
Apprenticeship
1% 2022/23[14]
Employment
0% 2022/23[14]
Earlier leavers
Left in Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment School sixth form Sixth-form college Further education college Apprenticeship Employment
2021/22 97%[15] 85%[15] 6%[15] 6%[15] 0%[15] 1%[15]
2020/21 99%[16] 69%[16] 12%[16] 13%[16] 1%[16] 2%[16]
2019/20 96%[17] 72%[17] 3%[17] 20%[17] 0%[17] 0%[17]
2018/19 95%[18] 62%[18] 6%[18] 23%[18] 1%[18] 0%[18]

Destinations after 16–18 study

Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment
78% 2022/23[19]
UK higher education
57% 2022/23[19]
Education
61% 2022/23[19]
Apprenticeship
0% 2022/23[19]
Employment
17% 2022/23[19]
Earlier leavers
Left in Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment UK higher education Education Apprenticeship Employment
2021/22 73%[20] 58%[20] 60%[20] 0%[20] 13%[20]
2020/21 87%[21] 71%[21] 71%[21] 2%[21] 15%[21]
2019/20 88%[22] 75%[22] 78%[22] 0%[22] 9%[22]
2018/19 84%[23] 51%[23] 69%[23] 2%[23] 13%[23]

Higher education after 16–18 study

Progressed to higher education
83% 2021/22[24]
Top third of most selective universities
34% 2021/22[24]
Russell Group universities
37% 2019/20[25]
Oxford or Cambridge
2% 2019/20[25]
Earlier leavers
Left in Progressed to higher education Top third of most selective universities Russell Group universities Oxford or Cambridge
2020/21 88%[26] 49%[26]
2019/20 87%[25] 34%[25] 37%[25] 2%[25]
2018/19 86%[27] 32%[27] 31%[27] 2%[27]

Shares of the pupils who left in the year shown. Russell Group and Oxford or Cambridge figures were published for leavers up to 2019/20 only.

Ofsted

Latest inspection
24 Sep 2024[28]
Type
S5 Inspection[28]
Report published
24 Oct 2024[28]
Personal development
Outstanding[28]
Quality of education
Outstanding[28]
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding[28]
Safeguarding is effective?
Yes[28]
Sixth form provision (where applicable)
Outstanding[28]
Effectiveness of leadership and management
Outstanding[28]
Earlier inspections
InspectionTypeOverall
24 May 2023[29] Section 8 inspection of good and outstanding schools[29] No overall grade[29]
6 Mar 2018[30] Maintained Academy and School Short inspection[30] No overall grade[30]

Competition to get in

Applications and offers, Year 7

Applications per place
6.7 Entry Sept 2026[31]
Applications (any preference)
868 Entry Sept 2026[31]
First preferences
240 Entry Sept 2026[31]
Places offered
130 Entry Sept 2026[31]
First preferences per place
1.8 Entry Sept 2026[31]
Earlier years
Entry Applications First preferences Places offered Per place First preferences per place
Entry Sept 2025 833[31] 204[31] 137[31] 6.1[31] 1.5[31]
Entry Sept 2024 797[31] 207[31] 138[31] 5.8[31] 1.5[31]
Entry Sept 2023 746[31] 180[31] 134[31] 5.6[31] 1.3[31]
Entry Sept 2022 816[31] 198[31] 138[31] 5.9[31] 1.4[31]

Admissions

Application deadline, 11+ entry
31 Oct 2026 Entry Sept 2027[32]
Places (published admission number), 11+ entry
120 Entry Sept 2027[32]

Character & practicalities

Type
Free schools[1]
Ages
11–18[1]
Boys / girls
Mixed[1]
Admissions
Non-selective[1]
Sixth form
Yes[1]
Boarding
No boarders[1]
Capacity
800[1]
Trust
ARK SCHOOLS[1]
Local authority
Wandsworth[1]
Website
http://arkbolingbrokeacademy.org/[1]
District
Wandsworth[33]
Postcode
SW11 6BF[1]
URN
138267[1]

School details as recorded in Get Information About Schools on 14 Oct 2026.

Pupils

Number on roll
770 2024/25[34]
English as an additional language
26.2% 2024/25[34]
SEN support
15.6% 2024/25[34]
EHC plan
3.8% 2024/25[34]
Free school meals in the last 6 years
32.9% 2024/25[34]

Pupils' ethnicity 2025/26

White
51.7%[35]
Mixed
18.9%[35]
Asian
5.5%[35]
Black
16.3%[35]
Any other ethnic group
4.7%[35]
Unclassified
2.9%[35]

The school census's major ethnic groups as shares of the school's pupils, summed by us from the published counts. For information only: never used to rank, filter or colour schools.

In the inspectors' and the school's words

Academic
As a result, pupils develop secure subject knowledge, which results in very strong examination results in a wide range of GCSE and A level subjects.[36]
Warmth
Pupils are supportive and considerate of each other. Parents are effusive about the school.[36]
Pastoral care
Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are exceptionally well supported to succeed at Ark Bolingbroke Academy. Pupils learn about physical and online safety and the school has a proactive approach to mental health.[36]
Behaviour
Pupils’ behaviour and conduct is exemplary. Pupils are polite and courteous.[36]
Learning support
They achieve highly because their teachers know their individual needs and apply effective strategies to support them.[36]
Enrichment
Pupils can choose from a high-quality range of enrichment opportunities, such as chess, choir, cross-fit and a selection of sporting clubs. These are very well attended by pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.[36]
Pupil voice
These include fundraising activities, the Duke of Edinburgh award, acting as pupil ambassadors and being representatives in the student senate. They are encouraged to take on leadership responsibilities and to act as role models, for example, by acting as mentors for younger pupils[36]
Independence
Students in the sixth form quickly develop as independent learners. Pupils frequently revisit prior learning at the start of the lesson. This helps them to remember important knowledge.[36]
Collaboration
They are taught how to show respect for different opinions and listen to the views of others.[36]
Structure
The school has exceptionally high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Routines and expectations are in place which lead to a calm and purposeful learning environment.[36]
Diversity
They learn about tolerance and diversity in their morning ‘civitas’ sessions.[36]

Sources

  1. Department for Education: Get Information About Schools: all establishments. Period 2026-10-14, published 2026-10-14. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  2. Department for Education: Performance tables schools data (explore education statistics). Period 2025/26, provisional, published 2026-10-15. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  3. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  4. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2023/24, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  5. Department for Education: Key stage 4 performance 2024/25: data guidance. Period 2024/25. Archived copy; original. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quote
    It is not possible to calculate Progress 8 for academic years 2024/25 and 2025/26 due to gaps in the baseline caused by COVID-19 disruption.
  6. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  7. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  8. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  9. Department for Education: A level and other 16 to 18 results 2020/21. Period 2020/21. Archived copy; original. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quote
    Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer exam series was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, and alternative processes were set up to award grades.
  10. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2023/24, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  11. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  12. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  13. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2018/19, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  14. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 destinations. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  15. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 destinations. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  16. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 destinations. Period 2020/21, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  17. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 destinations. Period 2019/20, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  18. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 destinations. Period 2018/19, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  19. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 destinations. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  20. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 destinations. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  21. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 destinations. Period 2020/21, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  22. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 destinations. Period 2019/20, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  23. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 destinations. Period 2018/19, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  24. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 progression to higher education. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  25. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 progression to higher education. Period 2019/20, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  26. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 progression to higher education. Period 2020/21, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  27. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: 16-18 progression to higher education. Period 2018/19, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  28. Ofsted: State-funded schools inspections and outcomes. Period 2024/25. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  29. Ofsted: State-funded schools inspections and outcomes. Period 2022/23. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  30. Ofsted: State-funded schools inspections and outcomes. Period 2017/18. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  31. Department for Education: Primary and secondary school applications and offers: school level. Period Entry Sept 2026, final, published 2026-06-29. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  32. wandsworth.gov.uk: wandsworth.gov.uk — Bolingbroke academy admissions policy 2027 2028 (PDF). Period 2026-10-14. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quotes (2)
    September-October 2026: The academy provides opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents/carers to visit the academy. 31st October 2026: National closing date for Secondary applications. (p. 4)
    The academy has an agreed PAN of 120 in Year 7 (p. 4)
  33. Office for National Statistics: Parish to Ward to Local Authority District (May 2026) Lookup in EW. Period 2026-05-01. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  34. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: School census. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  35. Department for Education: Schools, pupils and their characteristics: school level underlying data. Period 2025/26, published 2026-06-04. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  36. files.ofsted.gov.uk: files.ofsted.gov.uk document. Period 2026-10-14. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quotes (16)
    Pupils are supportive and considerate of each other (p. 3)
    Parents are effusive about the school (p. 3)
    As a result, pupils develop secure subject knowledge, which results in very strong examination results in a wide range of GCSE and A level subjects (p. 2)
    Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are exceptionally well supported to succeed at Ark Bolingbroke Academy (p. 2)
    Pupils learn about physical and online safety and the school has a proactive approach to mental health (p. 3)
    Pupils' behaviour and conduct is exemplary. Pupils are polite and courteous (p. 2)
    They learn about tolerance and diversity in their morning 'civitas' sessions (p. 3)
    The school has exceptionally high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Routines and expectations are in place which lead to a calm and purposeful learning environment (p. 3)
    Pupils can choose from a high-quality range of enrichment opportunities, such as chess, choir, cross-fit and a selection of sporting clubs (p. 3)
    These are very well attended by pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND (p. 3)
    These include fundraising activities, the Duke of Edinburgh award, acting as pupil ambassadors and being representatives in the student senate (p. 2)
    They are encouraged to take on leadership responsibilities and to act as role models, for example, by acting as mentors for younger pupils (p. 2)
    Students in the sixth form quickly develop as independent learners (p. 2)
    Pupils frequently revisit prior learning at the start of the lesson. This helps them to remember important knowledge (p. 2)
    They are taught how to show respect for different opinions and listen to the views of others (p. 3)
    They achieve highly because their teachers know their individual needs and apply effective strategies to support them (p. 2)