An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is an additional qualification that can be taken alongside A Levels and, here at Ipswich High School, we recommend our Year 12 students take three A Levels and an EPQ, in preference to taking a fourth A Level. There is however one exception to this, which is where our strongest Mathematicians take Further Maths as a fourth A Level, which we do recommend. Students who pursue this combination can of course complete an EPQ if they wish to. At Ipswich High School we recommend our A Level students complete it in Year 12, ready for full submission in the November at the start of Year 13. This enables our Year 13 students to focus fully on their A Level studies in their final year. An EPQ is an excellent taster of university-style learning as it is effectively an independent research project which can, but does not have to, relate to an A Level subject that is being studied. It is important therefore that students choose topics that they are interested in and curious about and, ideally, relate to further study so they are motivated to complete it. For example, an aspiring medic could write a research article analysing the difficulties associated with management of the NHS. This could help students substantiate evidence for their desire to study a specific degree course.
Our usual entry requirement is a GCSE Level 7 or higher in the subject that you wish to study coupled with a raft of GCSE Level 6 and above results. If you wish to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths then a Level 7 or higher is required.
Assessment can be either by a written report of 5,000 words (that is around 10 typed pages) or by creating a “product”, this could be hosting an event or making a physical item, or “artefact”, such as a piece of art accompanied by a 1,000-word report. The latter is very useful if a student is applying to study a course with a vocational or practical element as the “product” created could be something that is included in a portfolio to demonstrate a certain skill. Every student also has to write a production log, which outlines their plans for their project, advice and support from their mentors (every student has a specific mentor assigned to them). Students also have to reflect on each stage they undertake whilst completing their projects and consider possible ways to improve with hindsight. The third and final component of the EPQ is an oral presentation, which involves answering questions from an invited audience at the end to test understanding. The whole process from start to finish takes about 120 hours.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £29,925 - £40,110 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £11,355 - £17,955 |
| Address | Woolverstone Hall, Ipswich, IP9 1AZ |
An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is an additional qualification that can be taken alongside A Levels and, here at Ipswich High School, we recommend our Year 12 students take three A Levels and an EPQ, in preference to taking a fourth A Level. There is however one exception to this, which is where our strongest Mathematicians take Further Maths as a fourth A Level, which we do recommend. Students who pursue this combination can of course complete an EPQ if they wish to. At Ipswich High School we recommend our A Level students complete it in Year 12, ready for full submission in the November at the start of Year 13. This enables our Year 13 students to focus fully on their A Level studies in their final year. An EPQ is an excellent taster of university-style learning as it is effectively an independent research project which can, but does not have to, relate to an A Level subject that is being studied. It is important therefore that students choose topics that they are interested in and curious about and, ideally, relate to further study so they are motivated to complete it. For example, an aspiring medic could write a research article analysing the difficulties associated with management of the NHS. This could help students substantiate evidence for their desire to study a specific degree course.
Our usual entry requirement is a GCSE Level 7 or higher in the subject that you wish to study coupled with a raft of GCSE Level 6 and above results. If you wish to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths then a Level 7 or higher is required.
Assessment can be either by a written report of 5,000 words (that is around 10 typed pages) or by creating a “product”, this could be hosting an event or making a physical item, or “artefact”, such as a piece of art accompanied by a 1,000-word report. The latter is very useful if a student is applying to study a course with a vocational or practical element as the “product” created could be something that is included in a portfolio to demonstrate a certain skill. Every student also has to write a production log, which outlines their plans for their project, advice and support from their mentors (every student has a specific mentor assigned to them). Students also have to reflect on each stage they undertake whilst completing their projects and consider possible ways to improve with hindsight. The third and final component of the EPQ is an oral presentation, which involves answering questions from an invited audience at the end to test understanding. The whole process from start to finish takes about 120 hours.