Extended Project Qualification

This term has been all about endings and beginnings in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Department. The presentations of Alex Phillips (U6f) and Freddie Cole (U6g) being the final two of the epic adventure that was delivering the EPQ to an entire year group during the first period of remote learning. It was quite a big moment for me, and also for the boys, who have persisted to bring these projects to fruition over a long period of time!

Jack Rothery (U6a) also finished his EPQ this term, giving an excellent presentation on Freedom of Speech. Jack joined Sherborne in Lower Sixth so has worked efficiently to complete his EPQ to a high standard in just under a year, achieving a Headmasters Commendation for his work. Headmaster's Commendations were also awarded to Will Fahie (U6b) for his exceptional thesis presented last term (best project overall), and to Jacob Schwandt (U6f) for having the most impressive project from the Remote Learning cohort. I’m very proud of this group for their EPQ achievements.

The exciting development in the delivery and integration of EPQ alongside the new Enrichment Programme marks a new beginning this term for EPQ. This has meant the opportunity to offer an EPQ to every boy in Lower Sixth who wants to take one, after a term delivering the core skills to the whole cohort. As I write there are 75 boys signed up to take an EPQ, the largest (voluntary!) cohort ever. In order to set the boys up to succeed, they are all currently working hard on their application tasks, and I hope to see the majority of them in the newly configured EPQ classes in January. There are already some fascinating projects in the mix, my current favourites being The Morality of Fish Farming and A study of Stoicism and the response to COVID-19. With such a great response to this opportunity, 2022 looks to be shaping up to be another busy and successful one for the EPQ programme. Well done boys, keep going!  

Charlotte Allen, Head of History and EPQ Co-ordinator