Extended Project Qualification

Applicants will only be considered once all the application information has been completed including predicted and/or actual grades and references.

Applicants with non-UK qualifications, for example, overseas qualifications, will be required to have the equivalence of their qualifications verified by UK ENIC (the wider European title for national recognition agencies www.enic.org.uk) who will charge the you a fee for providing this ‘Statement of Comparability’. If you are unable to gain a Statement of Comparability, we reserve the right to withdraw your application due to the lack of comparable grade evidence. We are required to ensure that students are eligible for ESFA funding, which is guaranteed if they are living with a parent who: Has British citizenship and/or; Has a right of abode/leave to enter the UK and/or; Has a relevant work permit/visa and/or; Is a foreign diplomat.

Please provide any outstanding documentary evidence in relation to the above. Applications from students who are not eligible for ESFA funding will have their application withdrawn by the school. The school does not hold a licence to support applicants with Home Office Tier 4 Student Visa status.

Why Study The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)?

The Extended Project Qualification is an optional curriculum extra for students. The subject enables you to gain a qualification whilst spending time on something you are passionate about. You can tailor what you study to extend your A levels and personalise your further education/career goals (it is worth half the UCAS points of a full A Level).

There is variety of formats in which you can present the work you complete: a dissertation, an investigation/field study, a performance, or an artefact. You could study medical ethics if you want to go into the medical profession, human rights as you want to study law or perhaps clothes design because you want to work in the world of fashion.

The choice is limitless. It also enables you to develop and improve your ability to be a critical, reflective, and independent learner; learning how to analyse, synthesis, evaluate and present your work to a high level. This can only support your progress in other subjects and looks fantastic in personal statements and job applications.

What Does The Course Involve?

As an EPQ student you will have both a teacher and a tutor. Your teacher will see you for one period a week where you will have seminar style lessons to ensure you gain all the skills you require to complete a successful EPQ. As you start writing your EPQ, you will continue to have lessons so that this teacher ensures that you are demonstrating all the skills you have learnt. You will also be allocated a tutor (where possible one who is knowledgeable in you chosen study area). You will be expected to

meet this tutor fortnightly to discuss the content of your EPQ and for them to assess your progress.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Exam board: Edexcel

You will be assessed on your ability to plan, manage, complete and review your project. You will start the EPQ in Year 12 and hand in your final submission at the start of Year 13. Your work will be marked internally by your tutor and moderated externally by Edexcel.

AO1 - Manage 17%

Identify, design, plan and carry out a project, applying a range of skills, strategies and methods to achieve objectives.

AO2 - Use resources 22%

Research, critically select, organise and use information, and select and use a range of resources. Analyse data, apply relevantly and demonstrate understanding of any links, connections and complexities of the topic.

AO3 - Develop and realise 44%

Select and use a range of skilling, including, where appropriate, new technologies and problem solving to take decisions critically and achieve planned outcomes.

AO4 - Review 17%

Evaluate all aspects of the extended project, including outcomes in relation to stated objectives and own learning and performance. Select and use a range of communication skills and media to present evidenced project outcomes and conclusions in an appropriate format.

What Are The Entry Requirements?

To qualify for a place in Sixth Form, you must achieve five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including Maths and either English Language or Literature or five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, plus at least a grade 4 in Maths and English Language or Literature.

For this course: The EPQ is an optional curriculum extra for students who gain a GCSE point score 6 or above.

Many students will take 3 A Levels plus the EPQ. It will be completed alongside your 3 other courses.