Ark Bolingbroke Academy

About Ark Bolingbroke Academy

Ark Bolingbroke Academy, a mixed state secondary in Wandsworth, received an Outstanding rating across every category in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This marks a significant upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2013. The most telling academic metric is the school’s Progress 8 score of 1.04, which is well above average nationally and places it second out of 11 schools in Wandsworth. To put that in context, the local authority average Progress 8 score is 0.55, so pupils here make nearly a full grade more progress per subject than the typical student in the borough. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 61.3, and 88.7% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. With a Progress 8 score in the top 2% nationally, this is clearly a school where academic outcomes are a standout strength.

At A-level, the sixth form also performs well. The average points per entry is 38.82, equivalent to a B grade, and the best three A-levels average out at a B-. The value-added score of 0.13 is rated as Average, meaning students make broadly expected progress from their starting points. Around a quarter of entries achieved AAB or higher, and 70 students were included in the results. The school has a strong focus on the English Baccalaureate: 61.7% of Key Stage 4 pupils entered the EBacc suite of subjects, and 49.6% achieved a grade 4 or above across those subjects. The Progress 8 breakdown shows particularly strong results in the EBacc pillar subjects (1.47) and in maths (1.08) and English (1.1). Parent views are overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of respondents saying they would recommend the school, and 96% agreeing or strongly agreeing that their child is happy.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 137 places in 2025/26, there were 833 applications, a ratio of over six to one, and 204 first-preference applications for just 112 first-preference offers. Facilities include science labs, a library, music rooms, tennis courts, playing fields, an ICT suite, and a sixth-form centre. Sports on offer include football, rugby, rowing, gymnastics, dance, and martial arts, while clubs range from Young Enterprise and Model UN to coding, chess, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With 30.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. This is a school for families who want strong academic progress and a broad enrichment offer, but given the oversubscription, early and strategic application is essential.

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