The Summer Term

Preparing for the next steps

Key Dates

• Exams start Monday 12th May – with revision & lessons continuing throughout exam period (until June 24th)

• June 16/17th – ‘Preparing for the Future’ &UCAS days

• Thursday 12th June – Higher Education Convention at UCS – 9.30 back for Period 3

• Thursday 12th June – 7pm in the theatre – Higher Education Evening

Key Dates 2nd Half of Summer Term

ActivitiesWk Begin Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

16th June Wk1 EPQ UCSDetails tofollow

UCSDetails to follow

EPQ - TGSTaught Skills

EPQ - TGSTaught Skills

InitialMeetingSupervisorMentor KS3 class

Non EPQ Wk1 B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

23rd June Wk2EPQ

EPQ in school &Presentations inTheatre. Mentor KS3 class

EPQ in school

Mentor KS3 class

EPQ in school

Mentor KS3 class

EPQ in school

Mentor KS3 class

EPQ Surgery

Mentor KS3 class

Non EPQ WK2 B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWExpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

30th June Wk3EPQ

Yr 11 Taster DayEPQ Research atHome *

Yr 11 Taster DayEPQ Research atHome*

Project TrustCareer CrowdEPQ in school

Enrichment DayCambridge

EPQ SurgeryMentor KS3 class

Non EPQ Wk3 B/C Tec orWExp

B/C Tec orWExp

Project TrustCareer CrowdEPQ in school

Enrichment DayCambridge

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

7th July Wk 4EPQ

Sportsday PrepMentor KS3 class

SportsdayYear 12 Relay

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

EPQ SurgeryMentor KS3 class

Non EPQ Wk4 B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

B/C Tec orWexpMentor KS3 class

14th July Wk5EPQ

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

EPQ in schoolMentor KS3 class

1ST Draft in!

Non EPQ Wk5 As previous wk As previous wk As previous wk As previous wk As previous wk

B/CTec students (students doing 2 AS levels)

• Teaching continues until you have completed all work set by your teachers

• WORK EXPERIENCE potentially commencing 1st July

• See Mrs Gillibrand/Baker in Careers to book an appointment (Only if you are up to date with your work/ It has been agreed by Mr Alexander)

The Extended Project

University of Manchester

The skills that students develop through the Extend Project Qualification (EPQ) are excellent preparation for university-level study. Students can refer to the EPQ in their UCAS personal statements and at interview to demonstrate some of the qualities that universities are looking for.

So - What is the EPQ?

• It’s a free-standing qualification equivalent to an AS level and graded A* to E

• You choose and design your project.• You get to explore a further aspect of an A-level subject

that you are already studying, OR choose a topic that you have a personal interest in.

• The finished project can be a purely written report, a performance, a piece of art, a community project, a DVD or a piece of computer software.

• The project is finally presented to a non-specialist audience.• There is a taught study skills programme alongside

Why are we doing it?

FOR YOU• Its great for your University

application- lots to write about in your personal statement

• It will be also be great for job OR university interviews

• An extra AS level• Great for study skills

development- will help with A2 level coursework

• Your chance to pursue a passion and get a qualification for it!

FOR THE COLLEGE• Helps to address study skills

weaknesses• An important step in the

development of independent research/learning

• Additional points• Helps the College to write your

references• Inspiring and Refreshing• Changing the learning culture

Who will be doing the EPQ?

• The EPQ is compulsory for all students currently studying TWO or more AS levels

• The programme commences on June 16th with a 2 day study course at UCS

• You will be timetabled for tutorials and study sessions

A closer look at what is required: Assessment Objectives…….it all hinges around these!

There are FOUR assessment objectives to focus your project around.

1. Managing a project yourself

2. Using resources you have selected

3. Developing and realising a project

4. Reviewing the project

Skills tracked in a compulsory Log Book- which forms a large part of your final marks

Choice of topic for your Extended Project

What are you interested in?

• Personal interest

• Existing area of study (but cannot overlap!)

• Leisure interest

• Voluntary/community work

• Future career

• Current work environment

Whatever you are thinking of, check the AO’s

Extended Project – Grade Boundaries

45-50 A*

40-44 A

35-39 B

30-34 C

25-29 D

21-24 E

0-20 U

Experiences of Other Schools

• ‘It was much easier to get going on than I thought and really helped me to feel confident about working on my own to research a topic’

• ‘I contacted the university I wanted to go to and the tutor helped me. I am sure it helped me to get a place there’

• ‘It was hard work, especially at first – but it was fun and I am proud of what I did’

Example EPQs

• A review of the marketing of a local estate agent

• Assessment of the Prime Ministership of Margaret Thatcher

• Review of Quantum theory• Which Mathematician has had the

most effect on history?• Is criminality genetic or

environmental?• How should the NHS be reformed?• Nitrogen explosives• Midwifery • Strategies for overcoming school

refusal• Fashion Show• Design and organising of a murder

mystery weekend

• Who was the greatest Tudor monarch?

• Is hosting the Olympics worth it?• How the concept of childhood

changed during the Victorian period?• Why does the UK have Europe’s

teenage pregnancy rate?• Assessment of strategies for dealing

with dyslexia• The impact of World War Two on

fashion• Dress made from recyclable

materials- ‘Is there a future for recycled materials in fashion?’

• Psychology experiment into para-psychology

• Was Nazism a cult?

How much work is it?

• It is supposed to take about 120 hours to complete.(6 weeks of summer term)

• If the project is entirely written, a 5000 word report is expected. If it is an artefact or event a 1000 word report is required.

• It’s A2-level, using higher order skills like analysis and evaluation rather than just describing and narrating.

How much help will I get?

• EPQ Supervisor for each student- starting in June

• EPQ training at UCS• Minimum of 4 periods a week with

Supervisor and tutorials• Supervised study periods assigned in B block

and library

Timeline EPQ 2014

• March 31st -Introduction - commence planning of title

• June 6th -Hand in initial/working title• June 16th - 17th -UCS EPQ days- Begin Log Book and taught study skills sessions• June 20th - Initial meeting with Supervisor• July 4th - Hand in 500 words – first tutorials and supervised study sessions start.

• July 18th -EPQ first draft handed to Supervisor

• Summer Holiday 2014 -Students re-draft and polish their EPQs

• October 5th -Formal Presentations completed• October 17th -EPQs sent for external moderation

What now?

• Seek advice from subject staff

• Start thinking about long term goals

• Use your local library

• Create a short list of ideas – be really sure that the idea you hand in on May 14th is your actual proposal

How to Get Ahead – uni or work

Any Questions?

• We will send you support materials via e-mail

• Check the 6th Form Website for more information

• We will hold some ‘drop-ins’ to discuss titles

• We really look forward to seeing your individual projects and you honing your expertise!

• Good Luck!

The most important month of your life!

ResearchRead Around

ReviewRespond

Reflect