Sixth Form Information Booklet 2021-22

Page 66

S HER BO RNE GIR L S SIX T H FORM

The Extended Project Qualification

Why study the EPQ? Pupils are encouraged to take an EPQ alongside A Levels. It is a 5,000-word report on a subject of their choice (or a 1,500-word report plus the creation of an artefact) and a presentation on both the planning and management of the project, as well as the content of their report. There are so many reasons for doing an EPQ. From an academic point of view, it helps to develop confidence in independent research, time management and a whole host of other skills that are very useful at university. We make it easy to manage, since pupils have timetabled lessons to guide them through the process as well as a dedicated supervisor to discuss their ideas with and help them as they progress through the project. An EPQ is valuable – it is worth the equivalent of half an A Level – and more and more universities are making lower offers to pupils who achieve an A or A* in their EPQ. In addition, an EPQ lets pupils study something they love that is not on any examination syllabus. Here is a selection of EPQ titles from past years at Sherborne Girls, showing the range of topics covered: • How far did Dr Neil Aggett’s upbringing and life experiences influence his actions against Apartheid in South Africa between 1976-1982? • Should the UK government continue to subsidise electronic vehicles? • To what extent has Social Darwinism evolved and how is this concept presented in ‘The Age of Innocence’ and ‘Portrait of a Lady’? • How has the etymology of six English swear words developed? • Clothes against Conflict – creating three outfits for a fashion show (Artefact) • How far has Bogota in Colombia come since the late 1980s in terms of public safety relating to the drugs industry?

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• Should Sarah Kane be considered the most controversial playwright in the style of ‘In-YerFace’ theatre? • How far and in what ways was Napoleon influenced by Augustus, Julius Caesar and Alexander? • An artefact: my own short story and an analytical essay explaining what I took from my reading in terms of techniques and subject matter to inspire me • What is the greatest effect domestication has had on dogs? • How ethical is cotton farming? Will I enjoy it? The Presentation Evening in the Trinity Term of L6 is always buzzing with pride and enthusiasm from the pupils, and admiration from their peers, teachers and parents. When former EPQ pupils have been asked if they enjoyed the experience, the answer is always ‘Yes’. Of course, there is hard work to be completed along the way but it is important to remember that pupils are exploring a topic of genuine interest and undertaking a university-level piece of research. What else should I consider? An EPQ can take a lot of time but is a chance to choose something totally and utterly specific and become the resident expert on this topic. Pupils develop and improve their performance as critical, reflective and independent thinkers. Universities and employers value the EPQ because they consider the skills that students develop to be extremely useful. Some universities adjust their standard A Level offer for certain courses to include the EPQ; others use EPQ results to distinguish between students who have the same A Level results. Pupils can refer to their EPQ in UCAS personal statements and at interview.


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Articles inside

Leiths

1min
pages 79-80

Social life

0
page 78

Boarding life

1min
pages 76-77

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ

3min
pages 66-67

Sporting life

1min
pages 70-71

Entrepreneurship

2min
page 69

Co-Curricular opportunities

1min
page 68

Spanish

2min
page 65

Adventure & Leadership

6min
pages 74-75

Drama, Music & the Arts

2min
pages 72-73

Sociology

1min
page 64

Politics

1min
pages 58-59

Physics

2min
pages 56-57

Physical Education

1min
page 55

Religious Studies

3min
pages 62-63

Psychology

2min
pages 60-61

Music Technology

2min
page 54

Music

2min
page 53

Language Proficiency Diplomas

1min
pages 51-52

Mathematics

2min
page 48

Mandarin Chinese

1min
pages 46-47

Modern Languages

2min
page 50

Core Mathematics

1min
page 49

Latin

3min
page 45

History of Art

2min
pages 42-44

History

1min
page 41

Film Studies (AS and A Level

2min
page 36

German

2min
page 40

English Literature

2min
page 35

English Language

1min
page 34

Geography

2min
page 39

French

2min
pages 37-38

Economics

3min
pages 32-33

Drama and Theatre

2min
pages 30-31

Classical Civilisation

3min
pages 22-24

Computer Science

3min
pages 26-27

Design Technology: Fashion and Textiles

2min
pages 28-29

Classical Greek

2min
page 25

Biology

2min
page 19

Chemistry

2min
page 21

Business

2min
page 20

Art and Design: Three-Dimensional Design

3min
page 18

Careers and Higher Education

2min
page 7

Subject Choices

0
page 12

Careers and Higher Education opportunities

3min
pages 8-10

Applying to the most competitive university courses

1min
page 11

Welcome to the Sixth Form

2min
page 5

Art and Design: Fine Art

3min
pages 15-16

Art and Design: Photography

2min
page 17

The Sixth Form curriculum

1min
pages 13-14
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