Academic Enrichment

Pupils are encouraged to take an EPQ alongside A Levels. It is a 5,000-word report on a subject of their choice (or a 1,500-word report plus the creation of an artefact) and a presentation on both the planning and management of the project, as well as the content of their report.

There are so many reasons for doing an EPQ. From an academic point of view, it helps to develop confidence in independent research, time management and a whole host of other skills that are very useful at university. We make it easy to manage, since pupils have timetabled lessons to guide them through the process as well as a dedicated supervisor to discuss their ideas with and help them as they progress through the project.

An EPQ is valuable – it is worth the equivalent of half an A Level – and more and more universities are making lower offers to pupils who achieve an A or A* in their EPQ. In addition, an EPQ lets pupils study something they love that is not on any examination syllabus. Here is a selection of EPQ titles from past years at Sherborne Girls, showing the range of topics covered: • How far did Dr Neil Aggett’s upbringing and life experiences influence his actions against

Apartheid in South Africa between 1976-1982? • Should the UK government continue to subsidise electronic vehicles? • To what extent has Social Darwinism evolved and how is this concept presented in ‘The Age of Innocence’ and ‘Portrait of a Lady’? • How has the etymology of six English swear words developed? • Clothes against Conflict – creating three outfits for a fashion show (Artefact) • How far has Bogota in Colombia come since the late 1980s in terms of public safety relating to the drugs industry? • Should Sarah Kane be considered the most controversial playwright in the style of ‘In-Yer-

Face’ theatre? • How far and in what ways was Napoleon influenced by Augustus, Julius Caesar and

Alexander? • An artefact: my own short story and an analytical essay explaining what I took from my reading in terms of techniques and subject matter to inspire me • What is the greatest effect domestication has had on dogs? • How ethical is cotton farming?

The Presentation Evening in the Trinity Term of L6 is always buzzing with pride and enthusiasm from the pupils, and admiration from their peers, teachers and parents. When former EPQ pupils have been asked if they enjoyed the experience, the answer is always ‘Yes’. Of course, there is hard work to be completed along the way but it is important to remember that pupils are exploring a topic of genuine interest and undertaking a university-level piece of research.

An EPQ can take a lot of time but is a chance to choose something totally and utterly specific and become the resident expert on this topic. Pupils develop and improve their performance as critical, reflective and independent thinkers.

Universities and employers value the EPQ because they consider the skills that students develop to be extremely useful. Some universities adjust their standard A Level offer for certain courses to include the EPQ; others use EPQ results to distinguish between students who have the same A Level results. Pupils can refer to their EPQ in UCAS personal statements and at interview.

Examination board: AQA

Three equally weighted parts: • Production Log • Essay or Artefact • Presentation

Managing time and planning 20% Use of resources 20% Development and realisation 40% Review 20%

r.allen@sherborne.com

(Academic Enrichment Option)

AQA Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) is a new qualification designed for pupils who have achieved a grade 4 or above at GCSE.

It helps develop pupils’ mathematical skills and thinking and supports courses such as A Level Psychology, Sciences, Business and Geography as well as technical and vocational qualifications. The main focus of the course is to show how Mathematics is relevant in the real world. Compulsory content covers personal finance, analysis of data, estimation and critical analysis of data and models. Sherborne Girls also offers the optional Statistical Techniques section as it ties in with the other A Levels offered at School. This covers topics such as Normal Distribution and Correlation and Regression. This course helps pupils realise how Mathematics can be useful in everyday life. It provides them with tools to make informed decisions in a wide variety of situations. It is especially popular among pupils with an interest in the way the world works, wondering how to interpret the incredible amount of information and data that is at our fingertips. Core maths is equivalent to an AS qualification and carries the same number of UCAS points. The true benefit of taking it is in its usefulness alongside other A Level and university courses, particularly subjects such as Psychology, business-related courses, sports and social sciences, and natural science courses. The course is taught over one year, for three lessons a week, with minimal work outside the classroom.

Assessment AQA 100% Examination assessed at the end of the course. The exams will be taken at the end of the L6 year.

Two exams, each 1 hour 30 minutes: one covers the compulsory element and the other covers statistical techniques.

The MFL Department offers five one-year language proficiency diplomas, three of which are assessed at the end of L6 at the University of Exeter. German is assessed at the Goethe Institut in London and Japanese is assessed internally.

The diplomas in French, Spanish, German and Italian are based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR-L) and recognised worldwide by businesses and universities. They can be taken at different exam levels within the CEFR-L. Teachers tend to aim the class for Level B1, but pupils will be entered for and examined at the level they reach.

The French DELF and Spanish DELE diplomas are usually open to those who have studied the language to GCSE and who want to continue, aiming for Level B1.

The Italian PLIDA diploma is offered as a beginners’ course. A GCSE in a modern language or Latin is preferable but not essential. Students will aim for Level A2, taking the exam at the end of L6. The German Goethe-Zertifikat may be taught at Sherborne School. Lessons are open to students who have a GCSE in German and classes will aim for Level B1.

The SEG Japanese course is a beginners course and is internally assessed. Girls can choose whether to enter for solely listening and speaking, or for reading and writing as well. For those thinking of applying for citizenship or planning acareer that takes them abroad, a diploma provides an official assessment of language knowledge, making it a great addition to their CV.

As with other enrichment language courses, beginners’ Japanese is taught through the Lower Sixth form for three lessons per week. They will be taught by the school’s Japanese tutor, Mrs Shoko Middleton.

Girls will have the opportunity to be entered for an Entry Level Award in Speaking and Listening in Japanese only, if they feel that they are not particularly confident, or, for those wishing to push themselves further, they can additionally be entered for an Entry Level Award in Reading and Writing in Japanese. We would expect most girls to be entered for both, but this can be decided during the Michaelmas term.

The course is offered through the Skills and Education Group Awards, a UK-based national skills body. The lessons are packed with fun activities for girls to familiarise themselves with Japanese language and culture, culminating in being awarded a qualification. A whole range of topic areas will be covered, including those most commonly encountered in a day-to-day basis whilst travelling in Japan. Assessment is carried out by Mrs Middleton in the form of a portfolio over the course of the Lower Sixth Form. This means that there is no one-off final assessment at the end of

course.

NOTE: There may be an additional cost for this enrichment language course.