Study Skills

Course summary

During their time in the Sixth Form, the students are offered the opportunity to take the AQA Extended Project Qualification as part of their A Level course. The qualification is explained to the students early in Year 12 so that they can give it careful thought before signing up in June of that year if they wish to take part. The EPQ involves study in greater depth of a topic chosen by the student. This can be something related to one of their A Level subjects, but not on the specification, or something totally unrelated. The project can take the form of an extended essay, an artefact or model, a CD/video/DVD or a photographic record. Most students opt to write an extended essay but we have had some very interesting models, DVDs and posters. In all cases, the student is required to complete a production log which is submitted with the project. Each student is allocated to a supervisor who is available for advice throughout the whole process and will ensure that the student has chosen a feasible topic and title. The main focus is that the project is a research assignment where students are encouraged to search for a wide range of credible sources and to select appropriate information. They are also required to employ high level skills such as synthesis, evaluation and analysis.