“High quality resources, for example in the areas of the arts and technology, enrich the learning experience and support pupils’ creative efforts.”
ISI, April 2025
Creative Arts
At Thames we excel at nurturing pupils’ creativity and aesthetic interests
The Creative Arts curriculum includes the visual and performing arts, music, design technology and fashion & textiles. The ability to think creatively is vital in an AI driven world, so we have made significant investment into these subjects, including a theatre with professional sound and lighting, individual music rooms, a dance studio, a fully equipped DT workshop and STEAM design studio, textiles and art studios and a cookery classroom.
Many of the teachers are specialist practitioners who work in their respective professions as well as teaching, bringing a strong awareness of the skills and knowledge required for professional success as adults. A range of co-curricular opportunities is available in each area of the curriculum.
“Leaders provide a broad and balanced curriculum which successfully supports the passions and interests of individual pupils in a tailored and nuanced manner.”
ISI, April 2025
The art curriculum develops creative thinking and problem solving alongside foundational skills. Many pupils build on this foundation to take creative paths at sixth form and beyond. Pupils utilise a wide range of media including silkscreen, acrylic and oil paints, ceramics and lino-cutting. Gifted pupils may also choose to study an extra GCSE in Graphic Communication. Co-curricular opportunities include ceramics, lino cutting, life drawing and Adobe Creative Suite.
Gallery trips and visits by contemporary designers broaden understanding of the arts and associated careers. Pupils take part in the Independent Schools Association Art Competition with considerable success both regionally and nationally.
Performing arts are highly valued. The rigour of performing – how you memorise, rehearse, test yourself, project and communicate – is applicable across all subjects and is a lifelong skill. The newly formed Thames Theatre Company provides co-curricular opportunities in directing, scriptwriting, costume and set design. Private drama lessons are offered to pupils wishing to study for the LAMDA graded awards.
The end of the year is marked by a musical theatre production held in our own theatre with top of the range sound and lighting. Previous shows have included Happy Days, Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Smokey Joe’s Café and Calamity Jane. These musicals are directed and choreographed by professional musical theatre performers.
The music curriculum comprises three elements: performing, composing and listening, which are all integrated to enable pupils to develop creative, cognitive, analytical and practical skills. The Key Stage 3 curriculum comprises of a variety of projects which explore music from different traditions and genres, embedding a solid grounding of musical knowledge, including music theory. The curriculum also incorporates an introduction to music technology, utilising both notation and sequencing software to create, manipulate and master sound. In the GCSE, pupils study the history of music from the 17th century to the present day including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century, popular music and jazz, music for stage and screen, and music from around the world. The Pearson Edexcel course explores musical language and theory, developing a broad understanding. Pupils perform and record a solo and an ensemble piece, and use either Sibelius notation software or Logic sequencing software to write two compositions, one set by the examination board, and the other a free choice piece.
Pupils are encouraged to participate in as many co-curricular activities as possible including the school choir, instrumental ensemble, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble as well as small groups, and student-led ensembles. The annual school production is a focal point of the school year, and students across the school are encouraged to participate both on-stage and off. We have a team of specialist visiting music teachers who offer private tuition in a variety of musical instruments including piano, drums, guitar, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and voice.
In 3D Design pupils learn practical skills and technological understanding, which enable their innate creativity to grow and to flourish. They develop a wide range of skills from using hand tools and machinery, to exploring the exciting potential of computer aided design and production techniques. Our aim is to inspire creative problem solvers who can overcome challenges and respond to design briefs in unique and innovative ways. Pupils may choose to take GCSE and A level 3D Design.
The DT studio benefits from a 3D printer, laser cutter, pressure former along with a number of woodworking machines and traditional hand tools.
Fashion and Textiles has a dedicated studio space equipped with sewing machines. Offering pupils an insight into the fashion industry and the opportunity to develop design skills and practical techniques in a variety of media including surface pattern design, silk screen, dyeing, embroidery, beading and appliqué. Pupils also explore fashion industry practices, ethical fashion, up-cycling, fashion branding and promotion. Work produced is always exciting, creative and innovative, reflecting each pupil’s personality and uniqueness in a wonderful way.
Textiles is a popular subject at GCSE and our first cohort will start A level Textiles in 2026.
Our passion is for all young people to learn about healthy eating, budgeting and how to cook. Cookery is an integral part of the curriculum for every year group in the school. The Bake off and International Food clubs are always over-subscribed.
Drama and music showreels
Creative Arts at Thames
