Welcome to Downham Market Academy

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Athena Sixth Form College. Students attend the college from a range of local secondary schools and the college has a reputation for academic excellence.Athena is staffed by three dedicated and full time specialist staff. Mrs Daw, Study Centre Manager, who supports students with their enhanced learning tasks, liaises with class teachers and ensures that students have all they need to be successful academically.We are also fortunate to be supported by 2 Assistant Directors of Athena; Mrs Anthony and Miss Lloyd. Mrs Ibaldo is covering Miss Lloyd’s Maternity Leave until the end of this academic year. Mrs Anthony is an expert in the personal development of students and is responsible for helping us to deliver our great PSHE curriculum, focusing on many age-related issues such as student finance, driving safely and the effects of vaping. Miss Lloyd is an experienced A Level tutor and works with us to help develop students’ academic potential. She delivers our EPQ provision, giving students the chance to expand their knowledge of a particular subject and develop the skills needed for more advanced academic study.Students at Athena benefit from a personalised curriculum; they are all well-known and treated as individuals in order to develop both their intellectual abilities as well as helping them to develop as independent learners. We will ensure students achieve the highest possible academic outcomes through a combination of outstanding teaching in very small classes and the close support needed to thrive in a more independent environment. This support can range from celebration events, enhanced learning tasks or bespoke support contracts to allow students to achieve their very best.Alongside their studies, students at Athena are offered a wide variety of extra and super curricular activities to engage in as well as trips and visits. The Student Executive Committee work closely with me to provide student with a range of events and opportunities to help them develop their skills, unwind and have fun. We believe it is imperative to develop the whole student, so that they are ready and prepared academically and socially for their future.We are exceptionally proud of the students’ achievements and very much look forward to meeting prospective new students.Jake BaywoodOversight of Sixth Form

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Boarding Type

No Boarder

School Type

Academies

Suitable Ages

11 to 18

Gender

Mixed

No. of Students

1,333 Total

No. of Boys

650 (48.8%)

No. of Girls

683 (51.2%)


Academic Excellence

GCSE Results

Latest Examination

21.8%

Students achieving A*/A grades (9/8/7)

A-Level Results

Sixth Form Performance

A* grades

3.45%

A*/A grades

21.84%


Leavers' Destinations

Destinations after A-Levels

UK higher education

37%

School

1%

England

Apprenticeships

9%

School

19%

England

Higher education or training

School:87%
England:63%

Further education

School:4%
England:4%

Employment

School:35%
England:35%

Not sustained in education/employment

School:13%
England:26%


Exciting Events Ahead!

A detailed admissions process on ApplicaaOne is coming soon.

Please see our website for more information on our admissions process.


Admissions Process

Start Application

Key Dates & Deadlines

Oct 2, 2025

Sixth Form Open Evening


Term Dates & Half-Term Holidays

Planning ahead for school holidays? Below are the term dates and half-term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Autumn

2 terms

Half Term 1

Sep 3 - Oct 24

Half Term 2

Nov 3 - Dec 19

Spring

2 terms

Half Term 1

Jan 6 - Feb 13

Half Term 2

Feb 23 - Mar 27

Summer

2 terms

Half Term 1

Apr 14 - May 22

Half Term 2

Jun 1 - Jul 17

Half-Term & Holiday Dates

Autumn Half Term

Oct 27 - Oct 31

Christmas Holiday

Dec 22 - Jan 5

Spring Half Term

Feb 16 - Feb 20

Easter Holiday

Mar 30 - Apr 13

Summer Half Term

May 25 - May 29


Alumni Stories

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Updates Coming Soon!

We’ll be sharing information about the destinations of our alumni here soon.


Enrichment Activities

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Studying toward A Levels or vocational qualifications is important - just as important is your life outside the classroom and we know that students benefit from a range of extracurricular and super curricular activities.

Cultural Experience Trip Abroad
Duke of Edinburgh Gold
National Citizen Service (NCS)

About School

RegionEast of England
Local AuthorityNorfolk
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeMixed