The Application Process
September 2025 entry:
The applications round for September 2025 entry will open from 1st October 2024 onwards. In the main, prospective students apply through our online portal, which is hosted by Applicaa (please see the tabs below).
The admission ROUND for September 2025 entry will commence with our Open Week in October 2024.
We admit to Year 10 and to Year 12 only as all of our main pathway courses are for a two-year duration. For September 2025 entry, your date of birth must be between:
Year 10 entry: 1st September 2010 – 31st August 2011 (Current Yr9)
Year 12 entry: 1st September 2008 – 31st August 2009 (Current Yr 11)
Or
1st September 2007 – 31st August 2008 (Current Yr12)
We are unable to admit students who are born outside these dates for September 2025.
If you intend to apply to start at BOA from September 2025 then you are advised to attend at least one of the events during the Open Week. Tickets for the open evenings can be booked from w/c 16th September 2024 onwards, for the following dates:
- Year 10 Open Evening: Tuesday 15th October - from 5.30pm onwards
- Year 12 Open Evening: Thursday 17th October - from 5.30pm onwards
Admission to BOA is via an aptitude workshop within a specialist pathway. No prior experience is required. Even if you are a beginner, you may have the potential to be very good.
The ADMISSIONS POLICY can be viewed below - hard copies can be requested.
WHEN TO APPLY
All on-time application forms must be submitted by 5.00pm on 31st January 2025. Online applications will confirm submission automatically, whilst paper applications will be acknowledged by email within a few working days. We strongly recommend that you send paper applications by trackable post and that you ensure the postage is correct.
If your application is received after 31st January 2025, your application will only be considered after all on-time applications have been considered. You are therefore strongly advised to meet this deadline.
A second round of aptitude workshops for late applicants may take place later in the year but please note:
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- That there may be fewer or no places available via the second round aptitude assessments.
- That, in the main, the second round of aptitude workshops grants 'late' and 'second chance' applicants (who demonstrate aptitude) access to the 'waiting list'.
- That events outside of the Academy’s control may prevent a second round going ahead.
- That the Academy reserves the right to delay or cancel a second round due to operational matters as existing students must take priority.
- That once the second round has concluded, there will be no further workshops for 2024 entry.
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CHOOSING A PATHWAY
You must only select one pathway on your application. This is the pathway to which you will be invited to an aptitude workshop for, and which – if you are successful – you will be offered a place on. If you are unsure which pathway to choose, it is wise to consider where your personal strengths lie.
Your online application will be locked upon submission. If, after submitting your application, you decide on a different pathway, you will need to email admissions@boa-academy.co.uk (marked for the attention of the Head of Admissions) naming your new pathway choice and requesting the change to be considered. You should also consider whether you need to include in your email a new personal statement that relates more to your new choice of pathway. Please do not submit multiple online applications – if you need to notify us of any other changes, such as a new address or contact details, please email these to the above email address.
Any request to change pathway must be submitted by 31st January 2025. Requests received after this date will not be considered.
All applications can be made online. We will publish the links to apply as soon as applications open. If you are unable to complete an online application, please telephone 0121 359 9300 or email admissions@boa-academy.co.uk to request a prospectus and application (please make sure you state whether it is for Year 10 or Year 12).
Please ensure you attach to your online application, or enclose with a paper one:
- the relevant school reports and attendance breakdowns (these can be obtained from your current school).
- 2x passport size photographs.
- Any medical, SEN, or other relevant documents.
NB: Please note that the Academy reserves the right not to run an arts pathway course if there is a lack of viable applications.
HOW SCHOOL REPORTS WILL BE USED
We will use these for information purposes only, in the event of you being offered a place. They will not be used to process your application nor as part of the aptitude workshop process.
SUPPORTING PORTFOLIOS OR VIDEOS
To ensure fairness to all applicants, any such items that are provided with applications will not be used as part of the application process nor the aptitude workshop process.
STUDENTS WITH SEN / EHCP* AND LOOKED AFTER / PREVIOUSLY LOOKED AFTER STUDENTS
*Education Health & Care Plan
Please refer to the sections of the Admissions Policy entitled Consideration of Applications for Year 10 and Post 16 Admission Criteria.
It is important that a) special educational needs, b) students with an EHCP, c) students who are looked after (LAC) or previously looked after (PLAC) are stated on the application in the relevant sections to ensure any reasonable adjustments can be made at the aptitude workshop, if required. Students and their families (or support workers) must provide all relevant documents in good time in order for access arrangements and/or reasonable adjustments to be made.
How Can I Find Out More?
Open events are advertised on our website: www.boa-academy.co.uk
Email admissions@boa-academy.co.uk or call: 0121 359 9300.