1. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Extended Project Qualification Henry Elliott Assistant Principal Moderator

2. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Teacher or Supervisor What’s in a name?

3. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What does the Extended Project Qualification Involve? An individual student-selected and managed project Process based; designed to enable the student to develop and demonstrate a range of higher level skills Designed to develop higher-level skills required in higher education and employment Of 120 hours duration – 30 ‘teaching’ + 90 individual work

4. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

5. Employment Skills in EPQ Time management and personal organisation Problem solving and decision making Clear, concise and accurate written communication Communicating complex information to a ‘lay’ audience Use of ICT to communicate effectively

6. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Model of Project Management

7. A04: Review AO2: Use Resources A03:Develop and Realise A01: Manage Project Management in EPQ Courtesy of the University of Manchester EPQ journey

8. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What does the EPQ Student Produce? Evidence of achieving the formulated aim  Product  5000 word research report  Artefact + 1000 word research report  Completed AQA production log  Evidence of an individual presentation

9. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. How is EPQ different? A Student’s View ‘No matter how good your teachers are and how much they want you to have your own ideas, anything you do for A-levels comes from them’. ‘The Extended Project allowed me to research my own project and to own my own ideas because it made me explore the steps that were leading me to my conclusions.’ http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk

10. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What teachers do Teach subject and students by  Interpreting and delivering agreed curriculum  Transmitting their passion for the subject onto their students Assess students’ progress Prepare students for external examinations

11. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The EPQ Taught Programme Designed by each centre to equip the students with the skills needed to complete their projects. Could include  Time Management Skills  Research Skills and Evaluation of Sources  Report Writing Skills  Referencing and Bibliography Creation  Presentation Skills  Reflection and Evaluation Delivered by the centre, not necessarily the supervisor

12. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What EPQ supervisors do Advise and support individual students Negotiate and approve topics for study Review student progress against aims and advise appropriately Assess completed projects against AQA criteria

13. AQA Extended Project Process

14. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. A Supervisor’s View ‘The EPQ offers students a real opportunity to not only develop the skills that they will need when they move on from college to either work or university, such as communicating their ideas to others and independent research, but also gives them a chance to pursue a topic outside their taught courses that they are really passionate about. I would have loved to have had the chance to do something similar when I was doing my A-levels.’ http://www.winstanley.ac.uk

15. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Exercise 1 Project Approval Please consider Scenario 1 and attempt questions 1 and 2

16. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Exercise 2 Review Please consider Scenario 2 and attempt questions 3 and 4

17. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Exercise 3 Student Presentation Please consider Scenario 3 and attempt question 5

18. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Exercise 4 Assessment of Projects Please consider Scenario 4 and attempt question 6

19. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What is EPQ Worth to Higher Education? We value the skills of research and independent learning that the Extended Project is designed to develop. We welcome applications from students offering the Extended Project alongside A levels. As the Extended Project is optional it is not a requirement for application. If you offer an Extended Project, it will be taken into account. Your offer may be varied as a result, in recognition of the level of study skills you will have developed. University of Newcastle

20. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. What is EPQ Worth to Employers? One large employer states that through activities such as the Extended Project, students will develop their capabilities in terms of problem solving, critical analysis, team working and communications, as well as high standards of Maths and English – all of which are highly prized by employers. Gary Argent, UK Graduate Recruitment Manager, LogicaCMG

21. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Thank you for listening I will be around until the end of the conference. Please feel free to raise and EPQ-related issues with me