Ark Putney Academy, London

In its own words: "Here at APA, we are proud to be a “non-selective” school for students aged 11-18. We believe that inclusion and equality breed success. We don’t think it’s accurate or fair to define a ten year old student’s future potential with a standardised exam, so we don’t select our students on that basis."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to welcome you to Ark Putney Academy Sixth Form. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive school-based sixth form which is devoted to helping every student achieve their potential and supporting them into their chosen university or career."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, basketball, badminton, choir, coding, cooking, gardening, sewing and debating.

In 2026, pupils at Ark Putney Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 52.8 in Wandsworth and 47 across England.

42% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 58% in Wandsworth and 47% in England.

That is up from 46.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.23: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 43.8, against 54.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 38 families put Ark Putney Academy as their first choice and 276 named it as one of their preferences, for 132 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ark Putney Academy are Ashcroft Technology Academy (0.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 66.4); Saint Cecilia's Church of England School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 54.1); Southfields Academy (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.9); and The Hurlingham Academy (1.5 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 58.4).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Ark Putney Academy.

Ark Putney Academy is one of 48 schools run by ARK Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7 in 2024/25.

Of the 141 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 40% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 110 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 63% went on to university or other higher education and 9% into work. 19% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

60.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 54.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (22%), Black (21%) and Mixed (20%).

The nearest railway station is Putney Station, about 930 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

18 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Westleigh Avenue Putney (->w), 170 metres away.

In 2024/25, Ark Putney Academy issued 121 suspensions, 15.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Ark Putney Academy are Granard Primary School (0.3 miles), Ronald Ross Primary School (0.5 miles), Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC School (0.5 miles) and Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.