Study Skills

Course summary

In the Remove year, pupils are invited to apply for a place in the Extended Project Qualification, an independent research project culminating in a 5000-word dissertation or an artefact. The EPQ is an excellent way for sixth-form pupils to develop skills in project management, research methodologies and the construction of long-form analytical writing, with the bulk of the marks being awarded for the quality of their process: their demonstration of problem-solving, independent decision-making, of intelligent and focused research and thoughtful, honest self-evaluation. The project spans the period from October to June, with pupils delivering formal presentations to mentors and peers at its end, explaining both their dissertations or artefacts and the journey they have undergone. Each pupil is guided by a staff mentor through the process, who – through asking probing questions to help the pupil overcome hurdles for themselves – encourages independent drive and reflective, meta-cognitive skills. It is not just a project for the most academically successful but for pupils with a real passion for a topic area and a desire to explore it in a focused, determined way. Those who thrive in the qualification will be the most organized, flexible, reflective and self-motivated, and universities are increasingly enthusiastic about the EPQ’s potential to demonstrate not only deep interest in academic subjects beyond A level but also the practical and knowledge-based skills required to succeed in 21st -century higher education and beyond.