Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Why might I choose to study English literature at A-level? A-level English literature allows you the opportunity to explore humanity in the round. The course is time-rich, meaning that teachers and pupils can enjoy unpressurised exploration of an enormous range of works. These will include key canonical names but will range much more widely and well into the modern market where an awareness of new releases and prize winning literature is. You will be given the opportunity to go on theatre trips, and join fortnightly lectures and workshops at the College’s ‘ Literature Society’. This will give you the opportunity to hear from experts in the field and further your academic and creative appreciation for a text. We enjoy trips to the theatre to watch a broad range of theatrical experience, from Shakespeare to Pinter. Where will this course take pupils? Many pupils go on to study English at university, a degree course which speaks for itself in terms of academic rigour and reputation. From here pupils go on into all sorts of fields of employment, from law to publishing, from teaching to journalism, as well as banking, marketing, and any field which requires communication skills and powerful analytical minds. You will certainly become a more confident, discriminating, reflective reader, and a much more impressive writer. Your communication skills will be finely tuned through careful analysis of how the experts have conveyed their insights. Whether you pursue it beyond A-level or not, you will have a qualification which will powerfully underpin a degree course or career in any discipline. In addition to all of this, it will be a life-enhancing and enjoyable experience.
What is the Extended Project Qualification? The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a standalone qualification worth half an A-level. Pupils will pursue an independent research project in addition to their other subjects. An EPQ will complement or extend the other subject choices.
The EPQ can be pursued through one of four routes:
• Dissertation route • Artefact route • Performance route • Investigation/Field Study route
Most pupils at Eastbourne College follow the dissertation route, though the artefact and performance routes are growing each year. The EPQ is highly regarded by universities and can prepare pupils for independent study in higher education and instil key skills needed in the workplace. Some universities view the EPQ favourably and may make a tailored offer should a pupil complete a project to a required standard. Above all, an EPQ will widen pupils’ perspectives, give them key research and analytical skills, and set them apart from their peers. Dissertation route Pupils write a highly structured 6,000-word dissertation exploring a research topic of their choice. They also give a 10-minute presentation about their project. The project is completed by Lent Term of the Upper Sixth, which allows pupils to focus on their core examined subjects in the final stages of the course. In the Lower Sixth, pupils spend time developing a question for the project alongside skills which will help them with writing the project, such as how to research and reference. After this, they will begin writing their project under the guidance of their mentor. Artefact route This route has an art and design focus and follows the process of research, design, and the application of creative skills in developing and realising a piece of work in response to a client brief. Performance route This is designed with an arts or sports focus, and takes the form of a performance (musical, dramatic or sporting) before a designated audience. It can be a response to a brief or a performance commission. Investigation/Field Study route This route is suited to pupils interested in physical and social sciences. It takes the form of a field study or investigation. The Pearson specification is followed by some pupils may opt for a creative arts project delivered through the University of the Arts London specification.
How will I be examined?
• Component 01 (40 per cent of A-level) Drama and Poetry • Component 02 (40 per cent of A-level) Comparative and Contextual Study • Component 03 (20 per cent of A-level) Literature Post-1900 – coursework folder of two assignments
Miss L Garrett Head of English
European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is an internationally recognised computer skills course provided by the British Computing Society. The course focuses on improving the skills and efficiency of pupils whilst working on the computer. All pupils taking the ECDL course will start with ECDL Extra, a Level 2 user qualification. They will work on units covering Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentation software and Improving Productivity. The course is self-led with all of the learning material online and accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. Each unit is assessed via an online exam, with exam sessions being available throughout the year. If pupils complete the ECDL Extra course in the first half of Year 12 they have the option to move onto the ECDL advanced course which covers each of the units in more depth. If completed, the ECDL advanced course is worth 24 UCAS points.
Mrs S L Lambert Head of Extended Project
For more information contact Mr I R Shakespeare, Head of Computing.
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