Skip to main content

Students return on the 5th January 2026, 8.25am. 

 

 

Home Home
Main navigation
  • About

    About our school

    Vision and values
    Sixth form
    Culture and wellbeing
    Safeguarding
    Key information and policies
    Ofsted and results

    Our community

    Staff
    Governance
    Pupil voice
    Ark schools
  • Curriculum

    Our approach

    Curriculum overview
    Digital
    Reading
    Special educational needs

    Subjects

    List by subject
    List by year group
    Knowledge organisers
    Choosing GCSEs
    Our careers programme

    Extended curriculum

    Overview
    Performing arts
    Sport
    Clubs
    Duke of Edinburgh
  • Admissions
  • Parent Hub

    Parent handbook

    Parent handbook

    Key information and resources for parents, carers and families.

    Parent hub

    Quick links

    Reporting absence
    Term dates
    School meals
    Uniform
    Payments

    Communication

    My Child at School (MCAS)
    Parent engagement
    Guides and resources
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Jobs
  • Contact
User account menu
  • Student Hub
  • Hire facilities
  • Support us

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Explore Our Curriculum
  3. Subjects
  4. Professional Pathways

Professional Pathways

Our unique Professional Pathways programme provides a high-quality alternative to A levels

Overview
Equivalent to three A Levels
Connect with top employers

Overview

Professional Pathways is a sixth form programme offered exclusively at Ark Schools. The course is a high quality, vocational alternative to A-levels, ensuring you develop the skills you need to succeed at university and throughout your career.

Over 40% of Professional Pathways students go on to top third universities or top 100 apprenticeships, seven times the national average.

University destinations include University of Exeter, Loughborough University and University of Manchester. Apprenticeship destinations include global firms as Sky and Bloomberg.

Equivalent to three A Levels

As a Professional Pathways student, you'll complete a BTEC Level 3 qualification, equivalent to three A levels.

It has a different assessment style to A-levels, with 60% coursework and 40% exams; many students prefer this compared to exam-based A levels, and achieve higher grades as a result. 

You can choose to study one of the following subject areas:

  • Applied Science
  • Business
  • IT
  • Sport and Exercise Science.
  • Foundation Year

Connect with top employers

Professional Pathways students attend student conferences throughout their two-year course. You'll get the opportunity to work with top employers to bring your qualification to life and develop key employability skills. With over 80 employer and higher education partners, these networking opportunities are extremely valuable as a way to make real connections and kickstart your career after sixth form.

  • Physical Education
  • Psychology
Footer
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Culture and wellbeing
    • Team
    • Policies and reports
  • Curriculum
    • Our approach
    • Subjects
    • Extended curriculum
    • Careers and destinations
  • Admissions
    • Secondary
    • Sixth form
    • In Year
  • Parent Hub
    • Term dates
    • Uniform
    • School meals
    • Attendance

Image
Ofsted logo

Image
Living Wage logo

Image
Bronze Pearson Award logo
Image
Shortlisted Student Social Mobility Awards logo
Image
Finalist TES Awards logo
info@walworthacademy.org
0207 450 9570

Ark Walworth Academy, Shorncliffe Rd, London SE1 5UJ

© Ark Schools | Privacy