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Academic Enrichment

Academic enrichment options - students choose on enrolment

How should I choose a subject?

Choose a subject which you are interested in and enjoy. It cannot be a specific area covered in any of your A Level units. Think about how this may help your university application or show a breadth of interest and knowledge. Remember that a word limit of 5000 words is not very much – you will need to limit the area you are investigating. Think about how to formulate a question to research – be specific about what you want to prove or find out – see the examples in the introductory presentation masterclass in the Student’s shared drive under EPQ.

How much time would I spend on it?

It is recommended by AQA that you spend up to 120 learning hours on your project. This includes meetings with your supervisor, planning, researching, organizing, writing and drafting. Of these 120 hours the school offers up to 30 hours of training in research techniques and project management skills, as well as guidance on writing up the project and giving your presentation.

How long should it be?

All students must submit a written report for assessment between 1000 and 5000 words. The exact length of each written report will depend on the nature of the project, the subject area chosen and the other evidence provided. A project which consists solely of written work should be approximately 5000 words; for example an investigation, exploration of a hypothesis or extended essay or academic report. Projects where the majority of the evidence is provided in other formats should include a report or record of work undertaken which is at least 1000 words.

 Extended Project Qualification

It is an in-depth study which can take the form of an experiment, extended essay, performance or project. It is an external qualification graded A* to E. It is an independent learning opportunity unlike anything else available to you in the school curriculum. Students studying the EPQ will have one lesson per fortnight of taught content, and will otherwise study independently. Do remember the EPQ is hard work so please think carefully about whether you will have time to study it alongside your A Level or BTEC options. We have answered a few FAQs below but if you have any questions about it please contact s.green@finhampark.co.uk. More information can be found here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/projects/project-qualifications/EPQ-7993

What skills will it help me to develop?

To list just a few: Independent learning; Creative thinking; Reflective learning; Problem solving; Self-management; Effective participation; Team working; Structured writing; Confident communication; Use of Technology

What will I have to do?

Identify, design, plan and complete an individual project, applying a range of organisational skills and strategies to meet agreed objectives. Obtain, critically select and use information from a range of sources; analyse data, apply it appropriately and demonstrate understanding of any relevant, connections and complexities of the topic. Select and use a range of skills, including new technologies, solve problems, take decisions critically, creatively and flexibly, to achieve planned outcomes. Evaluate outcomes both in relation to agreed objectives, as well as own learning and performance. Select and use a range of communication skills and media to present evidenced outcomes and conclusions in an appropriate format

Core Mathematics

Core Maths is specific type of level 3 maths qualification it is equal in size to an AS level qualification and is graded A-E. They have the same number of UCAS tariff points as an AS level qualification.

Core Maths is intended for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 or better, but who have not chosen to study AS or A level Mathematics. It is studied over a two-year period and is taken alongside A levels or BTEC qualifications.

Studying Core Maths helps students develop their quantitative and problem-solving skills. This is valuable preparation for the quantitative skills they will need for many degree courses, particularly subjects such as psychology, geography, business-related courses, sports and social sciences, and natural science courses that do not require AS/A Mathematics.

Core Maths content

  • interpreting solutions in the context of the problem
  • understanding sources of error and bias when problem-solving
  • working with data
  • understanding risk and probability
  • understanding variation in statistics
  • using exponential functions to model growth and decay
  • percentage change
  • interpretation of graphs
  • financial maths
  • using standard units
  • Fermi estimation
  • the Normal distribution
  • correlation, knowing it does not imply causation
  • making and evaluating assumptions when modelling or problem solving

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