Please see below for list of GCSE courses beginning in September 2024
Students in Key Stage 3 follow a broad and balanced curriculum including:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Theology
- MFL (French or Spanish)
- Art
- Computing
- Dance
- Food Technology
- Geography
- History
- Music
- PHSCEE
- Physical Education
- Technology
Home learning is set regularly in all subjects and students have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning away from school, such as ‘Active Learn’, ‘Doddle’ and ‘Kerboodle’.
Students in Key Stage 4 follow a core curriculum of:
- English (Language and Literature)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Theology
- MFL (French or Spanish)
- PHSCEE
- Physical Education
In addition, students select two option subjects from a broad range of subjects, including Art, Business, Design & Technology, Film Studies, Food Technology, Geography, History, Media Studies, Music BTEC, Psychology, Sociology and Sport BTEC. Home learning is set regularly in all subjects and students have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning away from school, such as ‘Active Learn’, ‘Doddle’, ‘GCSE Pod’ and ‘Kerboodle’ as well as revision guides.
Our task is to prepare all students for the smooth transition to Key Stage 5 and to ensure that they have the attributes and knowledge required to become independent and lifelong learners.
Art education allows students to engage in visual communication and encourages them to explore ideas and feelings whilst developing skills. Through Art, Craft & Design, students can develop their own personalities and interests within a coherent structure of creativity and learning. Art education within the college curriculum seeks to enhance students’ visual awareness in a wider context, empowering them to respond to the natural environment and also the contribution of art to our manmade world.
The Art, Craft & Design department aims to
At Key Stage 3
In Years 7 and 8, students work on specific themes where they explore and develop a range of skills and processes which empower them as young artists.
At Key Stage 4 & GCSE option subject
From Year 9, students follow a framework of projects which directly relate to the GCSE specification as suggested by the Edexcel exam board.
Students interested in careers in finance, management, business creation, marketing and customer relations will find our business studies course invaluable as it provides a unique insight into this world of business.
On this GCSE course, students are introduced to how businesses promote themselves, manage their finances and the people who work for them, with a focus on small businesses. There is an opportunity to learn about how the economy functions, the government’s role in the economy and its impact on business. The course offered is at Key Stage 4 and is a 100% final exam (two exams).
We believe that computational thinking is essential for all our students and we aim to fully prepare them for participating effectively in the digital world and the future workplace. There is now a common understanding that the future job market will comprehensively require people to have some form of digital knowledge and skills, whether these are at a high level, using applications or low level (machine level), building and maintaining applications.
There are three main strands within our computing curriculum. We provide a broad and balanced computing curriculum, which has been developed to equip students with the foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology. These three distinct strands within computing, are complementary to each other and each component is essential in preparing students to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Design & Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, which involves using creativity and imagination. In Design Technology, students design and make products that solve real problems. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art.
Through this programme of study, students become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present Design and Technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
Our English Department aims to help our students to become effective communicators and decoders of language, empowering them to become active members of a civilised and civilising society. We strive to create engaging and challenging opportunities for students to become active, confident users, learners and makers of modes of discourse.
Our Mathematics Department gives our students a solid foundation in mathematics that help them to acquire the mathematical skills and understanding that they need for later life.
A wide range of teaching methods are used to meet the varying needs of students. Included are whole class, small group and individualised learning approaches. The emphasis is on active learning. Active involvement in mathematical experiences, in real and relevant contexts, is essential for the development of our students. This is particularly so in Key Stage 4 when problem-solving and real-life applications complement the study programmes.
Students also have access to a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, these range from the popular ‘Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Club’ to participation in the prestigious ‘UK Mathematical Challenges’. Year 11 students have the opportunity to study Further Maths.
The Mathematics Department aims to
Good language skills are a real asset in any job. In our Twenty-First Century global marketplace, the ability to communicate in a foreign language and understand the culture behind that language is of vital importance.
The Modern Foreign Languages Department aims to:
Native Speakers
Every year, we enter a large number of native speakers for a GCSE in their home language. Languages undertaken in the past have included: Russian, Polish, Italian, Irish, Persian, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, German and Greek. We are also a centre for students taking AS qualifications in Portuguese and Spanish at the Portuguese and Spanish schools operating on site. These students usually achieve top grades.
Extra-curricular activity
A diverse range of clubs and activities are offered by the Modern Foreign Languages Department. In addition, we also run collaborative and cross-curricular enrichment days for Key Stage 3. These include:
Our Mathematics Department gives our students a solid foundation in mathematics that help them to acquire the mathematical skills and understanding that they need for later life.
A wide range of teaching methods are used to meet the varying needs of students. Included are whole class, small group and individualised learning approaches. The emphasis is on active learning. Active involvement in mathematical experiences, in real and relevant contexts, is essential for the development of our students. This is particularly so in Key Stage 4 when problem-solving and real-life applications complement the study programmes.
Students also have access to a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, these range from the popular ‘Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Club’ to participation in the prestigious ‘UK Mathematical Challenges’. Year 11 students have the opportunity to study Further Maths.
The Mathematics Department aims to
The Music Department plays a central role in the life of the school, contributing in acts of worship, either in Collective Worship or at the regular celebration of Mass held each term. There are many performance opportunities including concerts and a showcase each term.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, students have three one-hour lessons over a two week period. Students study a wide range of topics to prepare them for Key Stage 4 Music, including keyboard and guitar skills, the blues, Baroque music, film music and music in the media. Students are strongly encouraged to use their own instruments for any practical tasks. There is the opportunity for composition work at Key Stage 3 & 4 which is completed on the latest music in the Apple Mac suite.
Key Stage 4
A BTEC First Award in Music is offered to develop a range of relevant practical and technical skills within the music industry. Students will study both the music industry and managing a music product, units that cover the fundamental knowledge, skills and understanding required for the music sector. Students will explore two sub-sectors of the music industry, by choosing a further two units, either introducing music composition and introducing music performance. The entire course is coursework-based apart from the core unit of ‘The Music industry’, which is a one hour written examination.
Exams
Students work towards both the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) theory and practical music examinations Grades, from 1 to 8, as well as Trinity rock school music exams.
Enrichment Activities
Our school has a very strong tradition of high-quality, extra-curricular music. Our choirs and ensembles meet regularly and work towards regular concerts, services and other performance opportunities. We expect those students receiving instrument or vocal tuition to play an active role in the musical life of the school by joining a relevant ensemble. The Music Department currently runs the college choir, jazz band, orchestra and samba groups, plus other ensembles led by the students themselves.
Instrumental & Vocal Tuition
Instrumental and vocal tuition is available to all students and Key Stage 4 music students are expected to play a leading role in the music enrichment of the school. We have a dedicated team of peripatetic instrumental and vocal staff. Tuition is provided on a range of instruments – Flute, saxophone, clarinet, strings, piano, guitar, drums and voice.
The aim of Physical Education at St Thomas More is to instil lifelong engagement in sport and physical activity within our students. We create an environment that enables our students to understand and appreciate the benefits of leading a healthy active lifestyle.
We follow the National Curriculum for Physical Education. The role of the department is to develop competence and confidence for students in their activities, complemented by training in skills, tactics and performance analysis. Participation in PE helps students to learn about healthy, active lifestyles and how to be effective in performance and understand many situations from a front landing in Trampolining to problems solving in Orienteering.
At Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have 2 hours of PE a week. Students work towards targets through a variety of sports and activities such as outdoor activities/orienteering, outwitting opponents in invasion games, fitness & athletics and dance.
Year 9 students can undertake a first qualification/Level 1 Sports Leaders Award. Assessment in PE is an on-going process, conducted through formative and summative assessment. We focus on six Strands in PE which the students are assessed in across the three years in Key Stage 3: practical performance, teamwork and co-operation, leadership, healthy active lifestyle, personal, social responsibility and thinking and decision making.
At Key Stage 4
BTEC First Award in Sport
Students at Year 10 and Year 11 have one hour of PE a week and work towards a healthy lifestyle through the Key Stage 4 National Curriculum. They also have the opportunity to do a Level 2 Sports Leader Award and further leadership and officiating qualifications.
A BTEC First Award in Sport is offered which helps students to develop a practical understanding of the sociology, physiology and psychology of sport in society.
The course consists of four units, two core units and two optional units. The core units are fitness for sports & exercise and practical sports performance. The entire course is coursework-based apart from the core unit of fitness for sports & exercise, which is an online external examination.
Extra-curricular
The PE Department offers a wealth of extra-curricular activities to suit all interests, ages and abilities. Most of these are run after school and are free for all students. These include netball, dance, rock climbing, trampolining, basketball, girls’ football, boys’ football, table tennis, volleyball, running club and fitness club. Regular inter-house competitions are run in many sports and a sports day is held in the summer term.
We are also very active in competitions and activities outside of the school, playing team games against other schools within the Triborough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster, as well as participating in the RBKC School Games Festival and competitions.
Our teaching of Theology is based on the faith and belief of the Catholic Church. We aim to provide our students with an opportunity to grow in faith and to emulate Jesus Christ’s example of love, service and compassion for all. We hope that students will understand their faith as a gift from God and that their relationship with God is something that is to be nurtured and developed throughout the rest of their lives.
At Key Stage 3, students receive two hours of Theology each week; following the series, ‘The Way, The Truth, & The Life.’ This programme is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools published by the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales.
At GCSE level students receive three hours of RE each week and are entered for the Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies Specification Route B, which involves three exams at the end of Year 11.
Geography is taught to emphasise the relationship between the physical and the human environment, to stimulate an understanding of the world in which we live. This enables students to feel a sense of awe about our physical and human world and to engage with current environmental issues, particularly sustainability and sustainable development.
Key Stage 3
A thematic approach to Geography is provided in Years 7, 8 and 9 that offers a range of different topics, including physical and human processes, cultural understanding, diversity, environmental interaction and sustainable development.
Fieldwork opportunities
Students are given opportunities to engage with a range of offsite activities throughout Key Stage 3 and 4. This will range from data collection activities, visits to museums and the Royal Geographical Society and fieldwork for external examinations. GCSE geography students must conduct fieldwork in both human and physical environments, which they will be examined on in the final GCSE exam series.
We encourage our students to consider history from a range of perspectives by teaching them a History that is not limited to kings and conquests but is complemented by an examination of how ordinary women and men lived and responded to change. Students research, investigate and examine pictures, documents and archive footage to develop their critical thinking and build their own historical understanding. They are encouraged to consider the many causes and effects that shape historical events and compare and contrast them with their experiences today.
As we are located in Chelsea, at the heart of London, we are fortunate to be able to take our students to visit many impressive historical sites. We organise visits to a range of London Museums and challenge them with investigative field-work, in which they independently explore the history and archaeology of this truly incredible city.
Through teaching the Sciences, we help students to stimulate and maintain curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Science, whilst helping them to become familiar with a body of scientific knowledge, principles and vocabulary. A wide range of courses are provided for all students to develop scientific enquiry skills and an understanding of the processes of the natural world.
The Science Department aims to
Extra-curricular
Sociology is the study of human life and social relationships. Students will seek to investigate and explain the social world and our behaviour in it. This involves looking at how we live, and how we are influenced and shaped through being members of groups and organisations.
The Year 10 syllabus focusses on ‘The Family’ and ‘The Education System’, while year 11 looks at ‘Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification’.
Through the study of Sociology, students may look at the world around them through completely new lenses as they become exposed to new ways of thinking and new theories that seek to explain social phenomenon. As well as this, students will continue to develop their analytical skills while learning to evaluate the validity and reliability of legitimate sociological research studies that have been carried out.
Film is an important part of many people's lives. Those who choose to study it characteristically bring with them a huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which constantly motivates them in their studies. They experience a powerful medium which inspires a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective as they are drawn into characters, their narratives and the issues films raise. The root of that power is the immersive audio-visual experience film offers – one which can exploit striking cinematography, composition and locations as well as powerful music and sound. It is not surprising that many consider film to be the major art form of the last hundred years and that many feel it important to study a medium which has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel.
GCSE Film Studies is designed to draw on learners' enthusiasm for film and introduce them to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been important in the development of film and film technology. Learners will develop their knowledge of US mainstream film by studying one film from the 1950s and one film from the later 70s and 80s, thus looking at two stages in Hollywood's development. In addition, they will be studying more recent films – a US independent film as well as films from Europe, including the UK, South Africa and Australia.
Production is integral to learners' study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts is designed to give learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own filmmaking and screenwriting. This is intended to support learners in producing creative films and screenplays as well as enable their production work to provide an informed filmmaker's perspective on their own study of film.
GCSE Film Studies aims to develop knowledge and understanding of:
• the ways in which meanings and responses are generated through film
• a contrasting, culturally diverse range of films from different national contexts
• film as an aesthetic medium
• how films reflect the social, cultural and political contexts in which they are made
• the relationship between film and film technology over time. In addition, to enable learners to apply their knowledge and understanding of film to filmmaking or screenwriting.
Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour. It looks at the biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect how people think, act, and feel both and helps us to explain why people behave the way they do.
At STMLC, we study a range of areas within the psychological field. In year 10, we focus on Cognition and behaviour by studying the following topics: Memory, Perception, Child Development and Research Methods. In year 11, we focus on Social context and behaviour by studying the following topics: Social Influence, Language, thought and communication, The brain and neuropsychology and Psychological problems.
A psychology course can help you prepare for college and university. It can prepare you for studying A-level psychology and psychology at degree level . A psychology student will become skilled in designing investigations, being a critical thinker, strong evaluation skills, understanding how the brain works and why we do certain things, dealing with data, communicating and working as part of a team. It will give students an understanding of us as thinking, emotional human beings which is an essential skill in all aspects of life.
In Dance lessons, students learn many transferrable skills such as; collaboration, organisational skills, confidence and creativity. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity and to think unconventionally, challenging their intellectual capabilities alongside their originality. The practical nature of the subject also offers students a chance to be active and explore their physicality.
KS3
In KS3 Dance lessons, students study performance, choreography and appreciation. Students start by learning the basic components of Dance in Year 7 and build on this with each topic. A range of Dance styles are taught including Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Street Dance, they also explore popular dance styles from different cultures including Bollywood, African and Irish. They analyse professional performances and apply what they see and learn into the creation of their own choreography.
Extra-Curricular
Students are encouraged to participate in Dance extra-curricular activities, we offer a dance club to students to accompany and enrich their studies. Through attendance of Dance club, students are given the opportunity to perform at school events and compete against other schools across London at competitions. Students are also offered the opportunity to attend workshops and trips including the Move It Dance Convention where they are immersed in Dance and can talk to professionals in the industry.