Extended Project Qualification (EPQ

EPQ Co-ordinator: Mr A D Whittaker adwhittaker@hymers.org

At Hymers we follow AQA’s Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) specification. The EPQ is a qualification that is growing in popularity across the country, as it provides the opportunity for students to explore an area of academic interest that the confines of their core A Levels does not allow. The EPQ is an independent research project that develops skills in project management, research, academic ethics, critical thinking, academic writing and referencing, presentations and reflective skills. From September to October of Year 12, we run an optional ‘taster’ course where students are introduced to the key skills that they will develop. From the October of Year 12 to the October of Year 13 students will complete their EPQ.

Why complete an EPQ?

There are many reasons to undertake and complete an EPQ including: n Exploring an area of academic interest that the core A Levels do not allow; n Developing an area of academia, for example, essay writing that core A Levels do not allow; n Demonstrating real and practical passion for a subject or area that could be explained and shown at an interview; n Challenging yourself – the EPQ requires determination and self-discipline! n An increase in ‘alternative offers’ at University with reduced entry grades for EPQ students.

What do students have to do?

Over the 12 months of the course, students should expect to spend approximately 125 on the EPQ, including: n Designing a title for a research project; n Completing a research journal production log; n Researching their project; n Producing a 5,000 word academic report or artefact plus 3,000 word academic report; n Delivering a presentation to a non-specialist audience; n Responding to a question and answer session.

How is the EPQ delivered?

The EPQ is delivered on-timetable in each of the four option columns, so that all students can undertake it, unless a student is already studying four A Levels (excluding Further Mathematics). If a student is studying four subjects and wishes to undertake an EPQ, then they should do so ‘off-timetable’ in their own time. The EPQ is delivered over six 25-minute periods per two-week cycle. In these small groups, students will cover the key skills required to complete the project, hear from staff that have completed post-graduate study, work with our Learning Resource Centre staff to get the most out of the LRC and work with external speakers on a variety of topics, for example Carolyn Hodgson, a former ITV News Reporter, on presentation skills. Students are also assigned a ‘Project Supervisor’ who will monitor and support the development of the project. The student will meet formally five times with their supervisor to complete formal stages of the project. The supervisor may not be a specialist in the chosen subject area as the supervisor’s role is to question the student’s decision-making and support the completion of the project, rather than direct or influence the outcome of it.

EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ)

How is the EPQ assessed?

The EPQ is assessed holistically at the end of the project, with no individual component worth more than any other. The EPQ is assessed internally, with moderation carried out by AQA and results issued on the August results day of Year 13. Assessment is evidence-based and assessors will look for evidence of four assessment objectives throughout the project:

AO1 AO2 AO3 AO4

Objective

Manage Use Resource Develop and Realise Review

Weighting

20% 20% 40% 20%

Examples of completed projects

n Why do girls join the Air Cadets and what can be done to increase the numbers doing so? n By what means, and how successfully, did the Falklands Task Force secure command of the air? n Should the NHS use robots instead of surgeons to complete surgery? n To what extent are the teachings of Aristotle similar to Buddhism? n How did the Harlem Renaissance influence the developing African American art movement between c.1918 - 1937?

n With the advancement of technology in aviation, will the use of pilots still be essential? n Did the British East India Company provide good government of India between 1764 and 1856? n Do the benefits outweigh the costs of hosting the Olympic Games? A case study focusing on Athens 2004 and London 2012.

‘ n What is Beautiful?’ - An insight into teenage body image issues and the possible mental health issues attached to this.

n Should the public be able to influence the allocation of healthcare resources in the NHS?

n Can I design, build and program a robot to follow a line on a Sixth Formers budget?