Trinity Diploma

Encouraging independent thinking

Leadership and community

Critical analysis skills

Extended academic project

Personal development

Enrichment

Academic projects

All Sixth Formers undertake some further independent study in their area of interest. Students apply to undertake either an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or a Sixth Form Project (SFP). This is designed to give students the opportunity to explore an area of interest by producing a developed, research-led, independent piece of work. This will enable all to explore an area of current and future interest as well to develop knowledge and evidence for a university application, personal statement, interview or apprenticeship application. Research and project proposal skills, as well as time management and planning, are taught early on in the Diploma to enable students to put forward their project proposals in the Autumn Term before realising their plans in the Spring Term. Support is available from a supervisor and Diploma teachers. The culmination of these projects is in the Summer Term of Lower Sixth, when all Sixth Formers present and explain their work to an invited audience. There is also an EPQ presentation evening in the Autumn Term which all may attend.

What is an Extended Project Qualification?

This is a research-based project involving an extended piece of writing, a reflective log and a final presentation. This is a more demanding qualification in terms of research and time commitment

– There are two types of project: a 5000-word report or an artefact with a shorter report

The EPQ is examined by the exam board AQA. It is worth the equivalent of half an A Level in terms of UCAS points. It forms part of a student’s exam components on a UCAS application and carries a predicted grade

– The EPQ is assessed according to an AQA mark scheme and each student is assigned an EPQ supervisor, who will provide further support and guidance for their project alongside the teaching led by the Diploma teacher

– There is a limited cohort size for the EPQ (normally around 60) and therefore we require students to apply by submitting a research proposal in the second half of the Autumn Term

What is a Sixth Form Project?

– This is a research-based project involving planning, a piece of writing and a final presentation

– The Sixth Form Project is assessed internally with skills sessions taught by the Diploma teacher. The best projects are awarded a distinction

– The skills sessions are the same as those delivered for the EPQ

– The Sixth Form Project is referenced in the school’s reference for UCAS as evidence of independent study and academic ability (as well as proof of the suitability of the student for undergraduate study) but it does not carry a predicted grade

– The Sixth Form Project is equally academic but does not require the detailed reflective journey of the EPQ

Enrichment and electives

Critical thinking, research and study skills are key to A level success and beyond. Our timetabled Diploma lessons help students to hone these skills. All students undertake one four-week elective in the Spring Term of the Lower Sixth and two six-week electives in the Autumn Term of the Upper Sixth. We offer a wide choice of academic electives through which Sixth Formers can extend their subject interests. Recent elective courses have included: History of Art, Global Politics, Philosophy and Ethics, Physics and Space, Mathematical Modelling, An Introduction to Seismology, Psychology, Life on Earth and many more. Please see the Diploma course overview for further examples.

Critical analysis

Critical thinking and cogent lines of argument are key to A level success and beyond. Our Diploma teaching focuses on source analysis, note taking and evaluation as well as writing a thesis and structuring and drafting an essay.

Leadership and community

We aim to foster confident individuals, prepared for the world with leadership and teamwork skills, as well as a strong sense of citizenship and social enterprise. Many of our students volunteer for our mentor programme, through which they are trained and take on a role of mentor to some of our younger pupils. In addition, all Sixth Formers volunteer to work with local charities and organisations in both our Lower and Upper Sixth years, thereby learning important life skills and the value of service.