“The quality of the pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent.”

ISI, April 2022

Sixth form academic

At Thames there is a strategic focus on subjects that open doors to a range of degree choices and other options.

We recognise that students will take different pathways post 18 and prepare them accordingly. Some students will apply to foundation courses or degree apprenticeships while others may choose the more traditional university route or to go straight into the workplace.

Students in the Thames Sixth Form benefit from dedicated staff who are highly skilled subject specialists many of whom have extensive experience of teaching A level. Many teachers bring industry experience and expertise into the classroom.

Students benefit from a brand new state of the art learning environment which includes science laboratories designed with A levels in mind, a theatre with top of the range sound and lighting, design and STEAM workshops equipped with laser cutter, 3D printing, pressure former and mechanical and hand tools, art studios and sixth form common room, study and seminar rooms.

Sixth form students at Thames sit three or four A levels alongside full involvement in the wider activities offered. Subject specific trips enrich the A level programme, making the most of the resources that London has to offer.

To study a subject at A level, students should have a grade 7 at GCSE in their chosen subjects as well as good passes in at least six subjects including English and Maths.

  • The Art and Design A level course develops students’ understanding of the value of art and design as well as their own skills and creativity. The Fine Art strand is ideal for students who want to extend their artistic skills. Students develop their ideas and investigate the work of other artists, craftspeople and designers. There are five hours of teaching time per week: four practical, one reflection. Students also spend time during study periods refining their practice in the 6th form art room. The syllabus is enhanced by gallery and museum trips and visiting artists.

  • Biology A level increases pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the study of living organisms and factors that may affect them. While developing their technical and practical skills, the course is designed to help students understand how decisions are made regarding scientific issues, and how the sciences contribute to the success of society as a whole. The Biology laboratory has been designed with A levels in mind.

    Biology A level gives students career options including medicine, psychology, marine biology, biomedical science, sports science, nature conservation, pharmacology, environmental science and soil science.

  • Chemistry A Level enhances pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the properties of matter and how atoms, molecules and compounds interact to form the endless diversity of substances that make up our world. While developing their technical and practical skills, the course is designed to help students understand how decisions are made regarding scientific issues, and how the sciences contribute to the success of society as a whole. The Chemistry laboratory has been designed with A levels in mind.

    A level Chemistry is a requirement for almost all university courses in medicine and veterinary science and many other science-related and STEM subjects.

  • A genuine interest in theatre is required for this course, and performance skills and acting ability are of paramount importance, as is willingness to participate on a practical level. A good standard of written and spoken English is also required and it is expected that students will have taken GCSE Drama. Independent study is encouraged and students are expected to rehearse in their own time. Students will benefit from the new theatre at Thames which is equipped with professional sound and lighting.

    The analytical skills, as well as the creativity and confidence taught within this course are welcomed at higher education level. Those considering a career in the arts, especially in directing, performing or designing are advised to take A level Drama and Theatre Studies.

  • Economics A level gives a strong grounding in both micro- and macro-economics, and applies both to the modern world, making it topical and engaging. It helps students develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable them to think and reason as economists. No prior learning or knowledge of economics is required for taking A Level Economics. Economics combines the benefits of both science and arts courses, with students having to write extensively as well as utilising their numeracy skills. Economics provides a good grounding for later life and can lead to careers in finance, banking, stock broking, law, politics and journalism.

  • The study of English Literature at A level encourages learners to be inspired, motivated and challenged by reading widely across a range of texts and developing their independent study skills. By A level, learners are cultivating their own critical responses and engaging with the richness of literature. They will develop the valuable transferable skills of sustained research and composition.

  • The Extended Project Qualification is worth 50% of a GCE A level qualification and also offers an A* grade, enhancing the amount of UCAS points available. Extended Projects are supervised and marked by teachers initially before being submitted to the exam board.

    The Extended Project will develop and extend from one or more of the student’s study areas and/or from an area of personal interest or activity outside their main programme of study. To complete the EPQ requires in total 120 hours project work in which a student can pursue their own line of enquiry and interest, having agreed their project with their supervisor.

  • The focus is on how French-speaking society has been shaped, socially and culturally, how it continues to change, and aspects of the political landscape in a French-speaking country. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where French is spoken, and their language skills. The syllabus focuses on three areas: social issues and trends, political and artistic culture, and literary texts and films.

  • Geography is a subject that links to many others such as economics, history and sociology, or biology, chemistry and maths. A pupil with a curiosity about the world around them - the patterns they see and the reasons for them, as well as the relationship between environment and society - is almost bound to do well. Geography pupils are in high demand in all areas of employment because of the decision making and data analysis skills they develop, and geography provides an excellent skill basis for the majority of university degrees.

  • A level History provides a fantastic curriculum for students to ignite and engage their passions and interests. They will develop critical and reflective thinking, which they demonstrate in an essay exploring a topic of their own choosing. Our aim is to create independent learners, critical thinkers and decision-makers. History is a highly respected academic subject that can be a springboard for a variety of courses at university and a diverse range of jobs including the law, administration, journalism, business, teaching and many others.

    The A level course covers the periods of the French Revolution and Napoleon, Britain, 1930-1997 and Civil Rights in the USA.

  • The study of art in its historical and contemporary forms gives students crucial knowledge of world civilisations. It gives students visual and analytical skills that can be applied in many walks of life and the tools to understand how images and objects work to shape our social and political identities.

  • Pupils will develop a wide range of skills and techniques that are highly valued at university and in the workplace. They will learn how to reason logically, generalise mathematically and begin the art of constructing mathematical proofs. The syllabus requires students to apply their mathematical skills to solve real-world problems and enables them to draw conclusions using mathematical reasoning. Students will be encouraged to use technology such as graphical calculators and graphing software to help enhance their understanding. The Further Maths course is divided into three main components: pure mathematics, and two applied mathematics topics which are statistics and mechanics.

  • The Music specification is designed to allow students to pursue their own musical interests. Students develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing and appraising, whilst having flexibility to specialise in either performing or composing. Students may choose to apportion 10% of their assessment to either performing or composing as an in-depth study.

  • Physics A Level enhances pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the nature, and properties, of matter and energy. While developing their technical and practical skills, the course is designed to help students understand how decisions are made regarding scientific issues, and how the sciences contribute to the success of society as a whole. Physics and Engineering are popular degree subjects and Physics graduates are sought by oil and energy companies, transport companies, science communication roles and as Physics teachers.

  • Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. Psychologists attempt to explain why people think, feel or behave in a certain way in order to make predictions about how people will behave in the future. It offers a unique educational experience that develops a distinctive and broad set of skills. It is located in scientific method and allows scope for extensive evaluation from a range of perspectives. Skills developed include being able to communicate effectively using appropriate language, to interpret and critically assess scientific data, and to research and critically evaluate a range of sources. The acquisition of such a diverse range of skills will be of great benefit to students in further education, the workplace and society in general.

  • The syllabus focuses on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change. The syllabus fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society.

  • Design and Technology at A level is taught through study of Three-Dimensional Design. This is an exciting and creative course that helps facilitate varied careers in design and the wider visual arts, from architecture and interior design, to industrial design, furniture making, sculpture, product design or work within the film industry. Students hear from visiting designers who present their work and also take part in related trips.

    Not all subjects will run in a given year, depending on the uptake and interests of each group of students entering our Sixth Form.

    In April 2022, ISI recognised as excellent both the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements and also their personal development.