Extended Project Qualification

Course summary

The EPQ is designed to give students the skills needed for independent study and therefore prepare them for higher education or a higher level apprenticeship. The course aims to help students to develop their abilities beyond A level. This course is a way of gaining an AS equivalent qualification in an area that students have selected themselves. It is a good opportunity for students to really stretch themselves and show their capability in a range of disciplines which will prepare them for their progression after they leave school. The course aims to help students to develop their abilities beyond A level and CTEC subjects. Students choose an area of study that is outside of the core content of their Level 3 courses, which is of interest to them. They are then taught skills such as research, note taking, referencing and how to construct an effective argument and present research findings to a group. Students can then choose whether to produce an artefact or an extended essay on their project. EPQ students are expected to be able to motivate themselves to work independently outside lessons and to learn how to evaluate their project throughout the year by keeping a production log as the year progresses. They will have time on their timetable for the taught content of the course and will be assigned a supervisor who will have 1-2-1 sessions with them to check on their progress and to agree targets with them. At the end of the project, students will be expected to give a presentation to their supervisor and co-ordinator in order to explain and evaluate their project and findings.