A group of Sixth Form students have achieved excellent results in their Extended Project Qualification.

The results, published this month by the AQA exam board, show that out of nine students who took the qualification, six achieved A* grades and three were awarded A grades.

At Colfe’s the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is undertaken on a voluntary basis and involves the Year 12/13 students choosing an area of study, researching it and then structuring and writing a 5,000 word essay.

While the qualification helps establish independent research skills, support is provided by teachers who are interested in the area of study chosen by the student. Together they spend time discussing the project and the themes within it. This means that students can develop a deeper understanding of a specific area of their interest well beyond the confines of the ‘A’ level specification

As an additional bonus, the qualification also counts as an ‘AS’ level, adding to the students ability to prove their interest in a topic to universities and employers.

Director of Sixth Form Spencer Drury said "These are exceptional results and it is a real credit to the students, but also the staff who put so much time into supporting them.　I am pleased with what a varied and wide ranging set of subjects were chosen this year. I’d also like to pay a special thanks to the Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Dr Thompson, who has structured the EPQ programme this year.

"I’m delighted with the success of the EPQ which has really stretched the students and been a real preparation for university"

The subjects this year were:

• China vs India – who will reign in the long run?
• The definition of psychopathy
• The redevelopment of London’s docklands
• To what extent was the Diadochi’s Succession of Alexander’s Empire typical of the Ancient World?
• Why was the 18th Amendment doomed from the start?
• A Description of the Mechanism Responsible for RNA Interference
• An investigation into the effects of climate change on the human and physical environments of the Maldives
• A close reading of Rafael Alberti’s ‘Paraiso Perdido’,
• Should Warren Hastings’ actions as Governor General of India have been judged within the context of Indian customs and norms or according to the standards of British society?"

Mr Drury added "Finally it is worth noting that Universities may even make lower offers as a result of applicants undertaking the extended project. The University of Bristol has stated that:

Joseph Ives

Imogen King

Charlie Whittaker

Paul-R Shehadeh

Jamie Cox