The Summer Term Preparing for the next steps

Key Dates Exams start Monday 12 th May – with revision & lessons continuing throughout exam period (until June 24 th ) June 16/17 th – ‘Preparing for the Future’ &UCAS days Thursday 12 th June – Higher Education Convention at UCS – 9.30 back for Period 3 Thursday 12 th June – 7pm in the theatre – Higher Education Evening

Key Dates 2 nd Half of Summer Term Activities Wk BeginMonTuesWedThursFri 16 th June Wk1 EPQUCS Details to follow UCS Details to follow EPQ - TGS Taught Skills EPQ - TGS Taught Skills Initial Meeting Supervisor Mentor KS3 class Non EPQ Wk1B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class 23rd June Wk2 EPQ EPQ in school & Presentations in Theatre. 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 WK2B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or WExp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class 30 th June Wk3 EPQ Yr 11 Taster Day EPQ Research at Home * Yr 11 Taster Day EPQ Research at Home* Project Trust Career Crowd EPQ in school Enrichment Day Cambridge EPQ Surgery Mentor KS3 class Non EPQ Wk3B/C Tec or WExp B/C Tec or WExp Project Trust Career Crowd EPQ in school Enrichment Day Cambridge B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class 7 th July Wk 4 EPQ Sportsday Prep Mentor KS3 class Sportsday Year 12 Relay EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class EPQ Surgery Mentor KS3 class Non EPQ Wk4B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class B/C Tec or Wexp Mentor KS3 class 14th July Wk5 EPQ EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class EPQ in school Mentor KS3 class 1 ST Draft in! Non EPQ Wk5As 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 1 st 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 16 th 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 45-50A* 40-44A 35-39B 30-34C 25-29D 21-24E 0-20U

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 31 st -Introduction - commence planning of title June 6 th -Hand in initial/working title June 16 th - 17 th -UCS EPQ days- Begin Log Book and taught study skills sessions June 20 th - Initial meeting with Supervisor July 4 th - Hand in 500 words – first tutorials and supervised study sessions start. July 18 th -EPQ first draft handed to Supervisor Summer Holiday 2014-Students re-draft and polish their EPQs October 5 th -Formal Presentations completed October 17 th -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 14 th is your actual proposal

How to Get Ahead – uni or work

Any Questions? We will send you support materials via Check the 6 th 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! Research Read Around Review Respond Reflect