Celebrating achievement

Ark Pioneer Academy is celebrating a proud milestone today as its first sixth form cohort receives the school’s first set of A level and BTEC results. Based in Barnet, north London, Ark Pioneer is a secondary school and sixth form that was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its first inspection in 2023. 

The results reflect the ambition, resilience and hard work of students and staff, and mark an important moment in the development of Ark Pioneer Sixth Form. The school’s vision is to give all students real options, supporting them to progress to the very best universities, degree apprenticeships and careers of their choice. 

Students will now move on to an exciting range of destinations, including leading universities and competitive apprenticeship routes. Confirmed destinations include UCL, Kings College London, the University of Southampton, the University of Warwick, the University of Exeter, the University of Loughborough, the University of Hull, the University of Connecticut and the Royal Northern College of Music. 

Individual successes include students progressing to study English Literature, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Medicine, Biochemistry, History, Geography, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Sports Science and Music. Other students have secured apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship routes, including railways, defence and security, and chartered surveying. 

Additionally, Karima Munim, Aisha Ryskulova, Emmanuella Obeng and Sofia Zahirjan have been offered a bursary to support their living expenses at university. These awards are incredibly competitive, with students from across the Ark network taking part in a rigorous application and interview process. Congratulations to them all, and to the Sixth Form team who supported them throughout the process. 

Ark Pioneer Sixth Form offers 20 A level subjects alongside BTEC Extended Diplomas in Business and Applied Science. The sixth form places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, pastoral support, leadership and a bespoke advisory curriculum designed to prepare students for university and the world of work. 

Headline measures show a strong first set of sixth form outcomes. At A level, 98.9% of entries were graded A*-E, with 70.1% at A*-C, 49.5% at A*-B and 14.7% at A*-A. This means almost half of all A level entries secured a grade B or above. These outcomes sit alongside very strong BTEC results in Applied Science and Business with Pioneer placed within the top 10% and 25% of schools nationally for the two subjects. Together, they demonstrate the strength of the school’s emerging post-16 provision and provide a powerful foundation for the school’s Academy Improvement plan priorities for 2026–27. 

Exam results highlights include students securing top grades across A level and BTEC pathways, with standout performances from: 

Mason Macdonald achieved A*, A and A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and is progressing to study Civil Engineering at UCL. 

Kalina Miteva achieved A, A and A in her A levels, secured another one of the strongest academic performances in the cohort, and is progressing to study Geography at Exeter. 

Santiago Pacheco Chapellin achieved D*D*D* in BTEC Applied Science, with 274 out of 288 overall points, representing one of the strongest vocational outcomes in the cohort. Santiago is going on to study Biomedical Science at Sheffield. 

These results come after a strong period of growth for Ark Pioneer Academy. The school opened in September 2019 and has quickly established itself as a high-performing school for the local community, serving students aged 11 to 19 from its site on Westcombe Drive in Barnet. 

Su Reddy, Principal of Ark Pioneer Academy, said: “This is a very proud day for our school community. Our first sixth form cohort has shown ambition, determination and commitment throughout their studies, and their achievements reflect the high expectations and strong support that sit at the heart of Ark Pioneer. We are delighted to see our students moving on to excellent universities, apprenticeships and future pathways, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make beyond our school.” 

Ark Pioneer Academy warmly welcomes applications from students joining from other schools as well as current Ark Pioneer students. Further information about Ark Pioneer Sixth Form, courses and admissions is available on the school website - Sixth Form | Ark Pioneer. Ark Pioneer’s sixth form open evening is taking place on Thursday 22nd October 16:30-19:30 . 

Notes for editors 

Ark Pioneer Academy is a secondary school and sixth form in Barnet, north London. The school is part of the Ark network and was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its first inspection in 2023. Ark Pioneer Academy is located at Westcombe Drive, Barnet, EN5 2BE.