Former Sixth Former Lands Role in Major UK Touring Production

We are incredibly proud to share that former Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form student, Zarina Thompson, has been cast as Becca in the National Tour of Everybody's Talking About Jamie! 

Zarina studied A Level Drama at Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form between 2019 and 2021. Despite not having studied GCSE Drama, she was determined to pursue a career in musical theatre and set her sights on performing on the West End stage.

Following sixth form, Zarina went on to train in Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts. Since graduating, she has built an impressive professional portfolio, performing at prestigious venues including Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Sadler's Wells, as well as theatres across the country. Her work has also included appearances in music videos for artists such as Mr Eazi, Malie Donn and Pixie Lott, alongside an upcoming Bollywood feature film.

More recently, Zarina returned to Woolwich Polytechnic to speak with a current student hoping to pursue a career in musical theatre. We are incredibly grateful that she took the time to share her experiences, advice and insight. Seeing our alumni inspire the next generation of performers is a wonderful reflection of the supportive community we strive to build.

We are delighted to see Zarina achieving her ambitions and wish her every success as she takes to the stage in this exciting production.

Break a leg, Zarina!

New figures published by Ofqual have highlighted a positive story for education across Greenwich, with the borough recording the largest year-on-year increase in the proportion of A-level entries awarded the top grades of A* and A among the six south east London areas featured in the analysis. Greenwich's A*/A rate increased from 22.5% in 2025 to 23.6% in 2026, representing a rise of 1.1 percentage points, the biggest improvement across the region.

This achievement reflects the hard work, ambition and resilience of young people across the borough, as well as the dedication of educators, support staff and families who help students reach their full potential. Greenwich's continued progress demonstrates the strength of post-16 education across the borough and the opportunities available to students who choose to continue their studies locally. 

At Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form, we are proud to be part of this success story. Our students continue to achieve impressive outcomes and progress to a wide range of destinations, including leading universities, higher apprenticeships and employment pathways. Through high-quality teaching, personalised support and a culture of aspiration, we work to ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for their future.

The success being celebrated across Greenwich is about more than examination grades. It reflects a shared commitment to raising aspirations, broadening opportunities and ensuring that young people are able to thrive academically and personally.

As Greenwich continues to strengthen its position and build on this upward trajectory, Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form remains committed to playing its role in supporting the next generation of successful students.

We congratulate all students across the borough on their achievements and are delighted to celebrate a year that highlights the continued success of education in Greenwich.

Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form Celebrates Outstanding Year 13 Results

Tomorrow's Leaders Achieve Outstanding Success

Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form is celebrating another year of strong Year 13 outcomes, with 75% of qualifications awarded at A to C grade or equivalent, ensuring the vast majority of students can progress confidently to higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

The impressive success rate reflects the commitment, resilience and ambition of the Class of 2026 and continues Woolwich Polytechnic's track record of preparing young people for bright futures.

Among this year's standout achievements is a student who has secured a place to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, one of the most competitive undergraduate courses in the country. Many of her peers will be progressing to Russell Group universities, while others have secured prestigious apprenticeship opportunities with leading organisations including Google and Schroders.

These achievements demonstrate the wide range of pathways available to Woolwich Polytechnic students and underline the Sixth Form's commitment to its motto, "Tomorrow's Leaders."

Headteacher, Mr Lawrence, comments:

"Our Class of 2026 have done themselves proud. With 75% of qualifications achieved at A to C grades or equivalent, our students have created opportunities for themselves across higher education, apprenticeships and the world of work. These results reflect their hard work, perseverance and aspiration, as well as the unwavering support of our staff and families. We are immensely proud of all they have achieved and look forward to seeing them develop into the leaders, innovators and professionals of tomorrow."

The success of this year's cohort highlights the strength of the Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form experience, where students are encouraged to aim high, work hard and realise their ambitions. Whether progressing to Oxford, Russell Group universities, sought-after apprenticeships or employment, the Class of 2026 leaves equipped with the skills, qualifications and confidence to make a positive contribution to society.

Congratulations to all our Year 13 students on their achievements. We wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their journey.

PolyMAT Summer Newsletter - Now Live!

This edition is all about community at the heart of our schools - the people, partnerships and moments that make the Poly Family so special.

Inside this issue, you’ll find highlights from across the Trust, including:

• A Message from our CEO reflecting on a year of achievement, celebration and togetherness
• Free Support Services and Free Summer Activities for families over the holidays
• A look Across Our Platforms - from 63 new YouTube videos to over 700k Facebook views
• Community: The Heart of Our Schools - stories from Bannockburn, WPSfG and WPSfB showing how belonging, inclusion and shared experiences shape student life
• Reflections from each Headteacher on what community means in their school
• Photo highlights capturing the energy, pride and spirit across the PolyMAT family

And we can’t quite believe that we are already sharing Issue 7, another milestone showing how much our community continues to grow, connect and celebrate together.

PolyMAT Summer Newsletter 2026 - Issue 7

Year 13 Class of 2026 Leavers Assembly 

Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form Year 13 Class of 2026 Leavers Assembly

Yesterday, we finally came together to celebrate our incredible Year 13 Class of 2026 at their leavers' assembly, following last week's postponement due to the extreme heat.

Led by Mr Evans, the celebration featured a heartfelt speech, a look back at memorable moments from the past two years, and a series of student-voted awards, including Kindest Student and Most Likely to Be Prime Minister. Students also put their Poly knowledge to the test with a fun Kahoot! quiz, bringing staff and students together for plenty of laughs.

Ms Bassi, Deputy Headteacher and Director of Sixth Form, shared some inspiring words as we reflected on the journey this cohort has taken during their time with us. It was a wonderful occasion, attended by form tutors, the Sixth Form team, staff and students alike.

This cohort holds a special place in our history as the first Year 13 group to include students who joined us from our neighbouring girls' school. They have helped shape our Sixth Form community and have left a lasting impact on the Poly.

We are immensely proud of everything they have achieved and of the remarkable young adults they have become. Now, we look ahead to A Level Results Day on Thursday 13 August 2026, when we hope to celebrate the rewards of their hard work and determination as they take their next steps towards university, apprenticeships, employment and beyond.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 – your future is bright, and we cannot wait to see what comes next.