More Opportunities at Queen Alex
Posted: 23rd Apr 2010
With competition for university places predicted to be at an all time high this year, students at the newly formed Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College are ensuring they are one step ahead of the competition by completing the prestigious Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
The EPQ, which forms part of the new Level 3 Diploma but can also be taken in addition to traditional A-Level studies, can boost a student’s university application by providing both extra UCAS points and demonstrating a natural ability for independent study.
Joelle Godard, Head of Year 13 at Queen Alexandra Sixth Form explains: “The Extended Project Qualification requires students to produce an academic dissertation on a subject of their choice or a practical piece of work such as a music score or short film.
“Because students have the freedom to determine their own subject matter and have to work independently in terms of research and presentation, the EPQ is a very useful bridge between A-Level and university studies, as the latter requires far greater independent learning and maturity.
“Despite being in its infancy, universities are already beginning to recognise the EPQ as a kite mark which identifies outstanding students and therefore we encourage our students to complete it. Deadlines coincide with exam periods so it does present an additional challenge for students but with the right degree of planning and work it is certainly achievable and definitely worthwhile.”
Ten percent of the A Level students at Queen Alexandra have opted to complete the Extended Project Qualification this academic year.
Tim New, 18 from North Shields is one such student. The former St Thomas More pupil is studying English Literature, English Language and Media Studies and hopes to go on to study journalism at university. He has a couple of offers under his belt already, and has interviews secured at some of the country’s top universities for journalism studies.
He said: “I chose to complete the EPQ in order to set myself apart from other applicants wanting to get on to coveted journalism degree courses. I am working on a dissertation that looks at whether video games should be classed as art and if so whether they should they be subject to Government tax incentives.
“I have a genuine interest in this topic and already write professional games reviews for well known online publications, which has certainly helped me with the dissertation. The idea of the EPQ is that it encourages independent study with little supervision from teachers which is exactly what I will face at university so it’s great preparation. That said, I have received massive encouragement from the teachers at college who have really helped me to stay focused and motivated and have guided me through my studies.”
Queen Alexandra Sixth Form is the result of a unique partnership between John Spence Community High School, Marden High School, Norham Community Technology College and Tyne Metropolitan College.
The three schools, which currently do not have a school-based sixth form, and Tyne Metropolitan College, have formed a partnership to ensure Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College will provide hundreds of young people in South East area of North Tyneside with a dedicated route through GCSEs and A levels.
The new Sixth Form will officially open its doors in September 2010 at what is the current Tyne Metropolitan Sixth Form campus in North Shields. The new college presents a brand-new opportunity for each partner school to play a direct role in governing and managing their own Sixth Form to improve the learning experience and outcomes for their students beyond GCSE level.
For information on course options and details of how Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College could be your passport to success, please visit www.queenalex.co.uk
