Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form Alumni

Gemma Deacon 
Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form from 2018-2020

'I attended TGS Sixth Form from 2018-2020, where I studied History, French and Drama for my A-levels, as well as an EPQ. Having previously been a lower school student at TGS, the step up to A-levels felt comfortable and I knew from the get-go that I would be supported throughout my studies. The staff at TGS are helpful and were very accommodating to my aspirations, which, with the small and friendly size of TGS, definitely drew me to choosing the sixth form after GCSEs. Even through the disruption and uncertainty of the Covid Pandemic, I felt reassured about my studies and achieved A*A*AA in my exams, securing my place at Cambridge University, where I now study History. TGS offered me a lot of assistance throughout the crazy Oxbridge application process, which I feel extremely grateful for, as it helped me to keep believing that it was something I could, and now have achieved!' 

Read a full version of Gemma's Cambridge application story on the St Catherine's College website. 

Emily Gillbanks 
Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form from 2015-2017  

"Three years ago I achieved A*A*A*AB in my A-Levels at Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form where I was Head Girl. I studied Art and Design, English Language, English Literature, Textiles, and completed an EPQ. I continued my studies through the Fine Art BA (Hons) programme at the University of Suffolk, specialising in painting. 

Throughout my undergraduate studies I represented the University of Suffolk at the annual Arts in Higher Education Conference at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) London, advocating the importance of arts in higher education, and was awarded Fine Art Student of the Year, 2019. 

Recently, my paintings have been pre-selected for the Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition, shortlisted for the National Portrait Galleries BP Portrait Award Exhibition, and nominated for the Freelands Painting Prize.

I supported my studies by teaching drawing workshops across East Anglia, being a student mentor, and through weekend employment. In September of 2020, I will be relocating to London to commence my MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art after obtaining a place on the internationally renowned programme."

Caitlin Ryan
Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form from 2018-2020

I attended Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form from 2018-2020, and took Psychology, Sociology, English Literature and an EPQ. I joined the sixth form having come in from a different school, and while I knew very few people at the start, I found that I was very welcomed and was able to settle in easier because of this. I found that I met lots of amazing people in my relatively short time here, which was something that I was worried I would not be able to do before I started. My subject teachers were also all incredibly helpful in providing the support that I needed throughout A-Levels, both academically and in other ways. 

One of the things that attracted me most to the sixth form was the smaller size, as coming from a smaller school myself, I found this setting more familiar and enjoyed how I was in smaller class sizes, as I found that I was treated more as an individual rather than a number. I found this helpful as it meant that I found the experience more personal and I was more comfortable asking for support if I needed it. With the help of this support, I was able to achieve A*, A*, A, A in my A-Levels, and I am now studying Psychology at the University of Bath. 

Kate Ablitt 
Thomas Gainsborough Sixth Form 2018-2020

I joined TGS Sixth Form from an external school, attending from 2018-2020 - I didn’t know many people in my year, however, everyone was so welcoming and I very quickly met people in my classes and beyond. Alongside this, the sixth form is quite small, which was a good transition for me, as I came from a smaller school - the atmosphere is much more personal this way too.

I studied English Language, History and Photography A Levels, alongside an EPQ - leaving with B,B,B,A* - despite the emergence of COVID-19 by the end of year 13. One of the best parts about being at this sixth form was being able to be more in control of your own studies, whilst still being able to get the support you needed from your teachers. My peers were very friendly, which was always helpful, as we were able to help each other with our studies where possible.

Since leaving TGS, I have moved on to study BA History at the University of East Anglia, as everyone was very supportive to help me still gain the grades to get to university, even though I never completed my work following COVID-19.

Destined For Success

We have a proven track record in preparing our students successfully for their post-18 pathways. All of our Year 13 from 2020-21 successfully moved on into Higher Education, Apprenticeships or employment.

Our students went to a wide range of Universities this year to read an impressive variety of subjects:

Universities	Subjects
Anglia Ruskin	Business and Tourism
Bath Spa	Clinical Psychology
Bournemouth	Computer Science
Brighton	Criminology
Cambridge	Economics
Durham	Engineering
Edinburgh	Film Production
Essex	Fine Art
Exeter	Forensic Science
Herts	Geography
Kings College	History
Lincoln	Journalism
Loughborough	Law
Manchester	Media Production
Nottingham Trent	Mathematics
Reading	Midwifery
Sheffield	Music Production
Southampton	Politics
St Andrews	Psychology
Suffolk	Social Work
Sussex	Sports Science
UEA	Zoology

This chart shows the destination after TGS Sixth Form of students leaving in July 2022.