Private School News

Extended Project Qualification

The Extended Project Qualification is a new AS level which we are introducing into the Sixth Form. It gives students the opportunity to develop their skills in research and in independent study which are the foundation for university level work. The students can develop ideas covered in their A level studies, use cross curricular themes or research an entirely new area. The work involves
research and writing up an extended essay (a ‘dissertation’) or students could produce a piece of artwork, drama or music. They will be awarded an AS grade (A* to E) based on their journal,
which contains the write up, analysis and reflection on how they managed the project.

Helen Seymour (U6), under the guidance of Mrs Penny Huntsman, has almost completed her EPQ and, as part of the final award, she presented an overview of her project to a mixed audience of students and tutors. Helen has spent the last eight months researching the works of Damien Hirst, a well‐known
contemporary (and controversial) artist about whom there is relatively little documented. This did not put Helen off, rather it fuelled her interest and she visited galleries to see the works firsthand, researched through the inter‐library system and bought gallery brochures to inform her writing.

Her final presentation, which focused on memento mori, was fascinating, inspiring, informative and in true Helen‐style entertaining. Her explanations were clear and demonstrated her very
high level of understanding of the man and his works, but she managed to bring the difficult concepts down to a level which the audience could relate to and connect with the ideas.

We are hoping that Helen will be able to deliver her presentation to a wider audience, and that the Lower Sixth will be inspired to take on this very worthwhile challenge next year.