AQA Baccalaureate Post 16 Students at Downend have the opportunity to study for the AQA Baccalaureate as part of their Core Programme. To achieve this qualification students have to successfully complete three A2 Levels, AS General Studies, 100 hours of community service and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) (AS Level) This is a fantastic opportunity for our students which is being offered to just over 100 schools in the UK. For the EPQ, students will research their own hypothesis and produce a report which is like a small dissertation. Students can choose a topic which could be an extension of their A Level Studies or a completely separate interest of their choice. More information can be found on the PowerPoint entitled EPQ Possibilities.

AQA Bacc Broader Study Designed to develop critical thinking/citizenship skills through – General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship to AS Level. Enrichment Activities Community participation (for example community work in local schools, hospitals, charities); Work-related learning; Personal development activities eg Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, debating society etc. Independent Learning The Extended Project will develop students’ abilities to manage tasks using their own initiative and resources Recognised, academic study in-depth The Bacc is built on the solid foundation of students main A Level choices.

DCSF The extended project will allow students time to study a subject in depth and to develop independent research and study skills. It will be a single piece of work requiring a high degree of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. Projects will differ by subject but will all require students to persist and explore a subject independently and in depth. All projects should demonstrate ‘extension’ of the students’ knowledge and understanding and should not be a repetition of a task that could be assessed as part of another qualification. (Briefing for HE)

Higher Education We would want the project to develop in the student independent thinking, independent research skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, extended argumentation skills and essay writing skills, as well as basic presentation skills – the balance between these depending, of course, on the subject of study. If implemented and delivered properly, such a project would be enormously beneficial to students… (University of Cambridge response to Education White Paper)

Extended project Level 3 The extended project is a qualification that:  Comprises a single piece of work, of the student’s choosing, that shows evidence of: planning, preparation, research and autonomous working  Can be taken as a standalone qualification and it is a compulsory part of a Diploma at Level 3  Is equivalent to about half the size of an A level study programme and will be graded on a six point scale of A*-E  May include: a design; a report; a dissertation; an artefact, or, a performance  Involves a taught element, independent learning and may involve group projects subject to group members’ roles being clearly identified

Extended project Level 3 continued The extended project are:  To strengthen programmes of study for year olds, testing a wider range of skills  To extend planning, research and critical thinking, presentation, synthesis and evaluation skills  To build continually between A levels and Diploma Level 3  To allow choice and input into the design of an extended piece of work  To provide a ‘tool kit’ of skills that better prepare students for higher education and employment.

QCA Briefing The extended project is a single piece of work of a student’s choosing that requires evidence of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working… An extended project is about the size of half an A level… The aim of the extended project is to strengthen programmes of study for 16 to 19-year-olds, testing a wider range of skills… Students might use their project at interview stage for higher education and/or in their personal statement on the UCAS form…

PointsExtended Project A* 60A 50B 40C 30D 20E Points for A* to be determined in 2008

A free-standing qualification  Learners may choose to take the Extended Project Qualification as an extension from studies for other qualifications at Level 3, for example GCE, BTEC, NVQ other academic or vocational qualifications including Modern Apprenticeships  Alternatively the Extended Project Qualification may explore an area of personal interest or activity outside the main programme of study

The learner will  Identify, design, plan and complete an individual project (or task within a group project), applying organisational skills and strategies to meet stated objectives

 Obtain and select information from a range of sources, analyse data, apply relevantly and demonstrate understanding of any appropriate linkages, connections and complexities of the topic  Select and use a range of skills, including new technologies where appropriate, to solve problems, to take decisions critically, creatively and flexibly, and to achieve planned outcomes  Evaluate outcomes including own learning and performance and select and use a range of communication skills and media to convey and present evidenced outcomes and conclusions

120 Guided Learning Hours Supervision  teaching relevant skills (up to 30 glh)  mentoring and supervision of the learner’s progress.  assessment Centre coordination  Management of assessment evidence  Standardising assessment

Teaching (up to 30glh)  determined by the supervisor as appropriate  skills or techniques required for safety and effectiveness  ICT skills  research skills  project management skills  project management writing skills  Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills, Functional Skills and Key Skills

Project Product  The format of the end product should be ‘authentic’ – appropriate to the topic/task  written report (5000 words)  written report 1000 words) plus  artefact  CD/video/DVD of performance or activities  audiotape/multimedia presentation  slide presentation  photographic record

Production Log  essential element in overall qualification assessment  completion of all the set pages is minimum  provides documentation and evidence of  appropriate supervision (prevention of plagiarism, skills teaching, advice given and acted upon)  skills development and use  decision making  thought and reflection

Presentation  For a non-specialist audience and sing media appropriate to the type of project  Flipchart, posters, OHP slides, presentation software, video  Presentations should be supported by answers to any questions from supervisors

Summary of Requirement  Production Log  Project product  Presentation

Choice Initial Planning Project Approval Research Mid-Project Review Production Artefact & Report (1000) Report (5000) Review Presentation Reflection Log Supervisor Assessment Centre Standardisation AQA Moderation