GCSE Results

Our pupils continue to achieve exceptional GCSE results. Despite increases nationally in the numbers attaining higher grades, our Year 11s significantly surpass the national average. This year over one third of our grades were awarded at A*-A, two thirds were A*-B and almost every pupil achieved their predicted GCSE grades or better.

More than just results ...

Thames is a mixed ability school and overall percentages will vary each year. Whether a pupil is capable of achieving all A* grades and beyond or finds academic study more of a challenge, our aim is to develop each individual to ensure they reach their full potential - without putting them off study! We also avoid 'teaching to the test' offering a wide-ranging curriculum to broaden pupils' horizions. Our top students have the opportunity to complete Level 3 or AS Level qualifications as well as GCSEs. In recent years these have been completed in Languages, Maths and Drama.

We expect our pupils achieve more than just exceptional GCSE results; we also care about and support their overall development during the teenage years. Education is not just about having the grades to give young people the best choices for the next phase of their life; it is also about developing their character and maturity to make the most of opportunities available in the future.

Onwards and upwards

Over the past few years our leavers have attained places at a number of top schools, most to study A levels but some to study the International Baccalaureate. Pupils have moved on to Gordonstoun College, James Allen's Girls' School, Kings College School Wimbledon, Dartford Grammar School, Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School, Tiffin Girls' School, Tiffin Boys' School, Emmanuel School, Esher College, Graveney School, Lady Margaret's School, The Charter School, Greycoats Hospital School and many other good schools and sixth forms. Some of our talented creative students have gone on to study for a career in the performing arts at The Brit School, Performance Preparation Academy and Doreen Bird College.

Aiming high

We use KS2 SATs results and CATs (Cognitive Ability Tests) as benchmarks to ascertain where a child's achievement stands on joining and what their potential is in the future. Pupils at Thames typically achieve at least one or two grades and in some cases over three grades ahead of their CATS predictions. Most importantly this is achieved through the study of academic subjects such as English, Maths, Sciences, the Humanities and Languages, not through soft GCSE equivalents. All our qualifications are there for the purpose of education and are widely recognised and respected as such. Over the past three years, Thames has won six Good Schools' Guide Subject Awards, which are calculated using a school's GCSE results in comparison to other independent English secondary schools.

At Thames we always put the interests of the pupil first. Why hold gifted and talented pupils back just to maintain the best league table position? Equally why not let pupils repeat a year if they have a late birthday or have missed significant amounts of school? At Thames we let the pupils take GCSEs at the right time for them, this means they may be a year older or a year younger than the average.

Ongoing support for leavers

The nature of the small size of Thames enables us to develop a good rapport with our pupils and continue our support to leavers going forward.  We are more than happy to assist them in making their final college choices and ensuring each takes the best possible future educational route they can.

We also love hearing from our graduates and learning how Thames has helped to shape their future careers and lives. Past pupils have gone on to study for degrees at Kings College London, London College of Communication and Bristol, Sheffield, Kent, Southampton and Bath Universities among many others.