EPQ: Extended Project Qualification
The EPQ is an AS level qualification taught as part of St. Hilda’s College enrichment. It is the only AS level that can be graded with an A*.It offers you the chance to research your own area of academic interest and to write it up as a research project with the help of a supervisor and a series of focused research skills lessons.
There is a number of reasons why you may wish to consider the EPQ:
- It carries as many UCAS points as an AS level. (It is the only AS to have A* as a grade)
- It will allow you to develop an area of academic interest outside the constraints of your AS subjects.
- It will allow you to develop research and writing skills which are very close to those used in universities. This will put you at a significant advantage both when it comes to applying for university, and when it comes to writing your own dissertation as an undergraduate at university.
- It gives you the chance to experience one to one teaching/supervision.
You will be given an EPQ supervisor who will meet with you once a week. They will teach you how to investigate and use resources, how to write up your research and include bibliographies, how to undertake primary research, how to structure and plan your reports, how to evaluate and reflect on your work and how to improve your presentation skills. For some of the time you will be seeing them for individual tutorials and individual support.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/projects/project-qualifications/EPQ-7993/specification-at-a-glance
Sports’ Leaders Qualification
An ideal start for those of you wanting to teach or study Physical Education / Sport at University and a chance to gain a Nationally recognised qualification. Following this you may be able to then complete the Level 2: Sports Leadership in the Community Qualification.
You will be taught how to plan, assist and lead sport and physical activity in two separate units:
Unit 1 – Establishing leadership skills
Unit 2 – Plan, assist in leading and review sport/physical activities
Time to complete: 30 hours
Assessment: A learning log will be completed in your enrichment lessons and the final assessment will involve you leading and delivering a 1 hour sports /physical activity session to younger students.
You can read more about the course here:
Science Crest Silver Award
CREST is a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths). You will complete a research based science project. If you pass, you will be given a certificate which universities respect and admire. You do not have to be studying Science A Level to register. Students however who are thinking of Health/ Medicine/ Science as a profession would really benefit from this course. You will be researching the effect that over the counter painkillers have and the way in which they are administered, before actually making aspirin within the lab. Following this, we will then compare the sample of aspirin with the aspirin from supermarkets and assess the purity of our samples.
Peer mentoring programme
This enrichment offers and exciting opportunity to be coached to become a peer mentor for lower school students. You will then become a mentor. You will mentor a total of three KS3 (year 7-9) students each academic year. Mentoring will consist of three cycles:
Term 1: Year 7 focus – students who are struggling with transition
Term 2: Year 9 focus – regarding options choices. Mentees to be supported in decision making for their options to maximise the chance of success.
Term: 3: Year 8 focus.
Your mentoring time will consist of either:
Option1: one form time per week, around 10-12 half an hour sessions.
Option 2: in enrichment slot alternate weeks, approximately 6 one-hour sessions (means students missing one hour of curriculum time per fortnight).
A peer mentor needs strong communication skills, including active listening and the ability to provide constructive feedback. They should also be empathetic, patient, and able to build trust and rapport with their mentees. Additionally, problem-solving, leadership, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are crucial skills for a successful peer mentor.
You will need to write a letter of application of interest outlining your skills and why you are dedicated to become a peer mentor.
IT
Course Overview – We will learn about how a computer works from both the hardware and software elements. We will focus on how to use software such as Microsoft Excel to help us create balance sheets, tax returns etc
What will you get out of it – A better knowledge of how a computer works and how to use software more effectively to benefit you going forward
If you want to be more computer literate, this will help you. Employers always ask if you have UT skills, so this is a good course for you now and planning for the future.
Criminology and Social Science
In this enrichment there will be a series of different topics covered between Criminology, Sociology and Psychology. Each term will be dedicated to a different subject to open up interests across multiple Social Sciences, ranging from the gender differences in the criminal justice system, to looking at life for minority groups, such as LGBTQ+ people and disabled people, in a society that hasn’t been made fit for purpose to function adequately.
You will be required to carry out independent research, debate around specific issues and infer information from new and complex sources.
This enrichment will be beneficial if you are interested in studying sociology, criminology, social policy or law at university. By the end of the year, you will hopefully have developed key skills such as; formulating an argument, communication skills, analysis, source evaluation, confidence and more.
Literacy Enrichment
Literacy Enrichment is recommended for pupils studying English Language A-Level, those thinking about careers in teaching, early years or speech and language, and anyone interested in finding out more about how we learn to read.
During the first term, we will look at the English language and how we support children to learn to read through the acquisition of phonics. You will learn how to teach phonics and how to support weak readers. This will culminate with a short online phonics course and test, providing you with a certificate in phonics support, which you can take with you as you embark on further study and work.
During term 2, you will either support our weaker readers during form time reading, work as a KS3 TA in the subject of your choice (specifically supporting the weaker readers in the class) or you will volunteer at Greenbank Primary School, reading with pupils or supporting during phonics lessons.
Application Maths- Ms Murray
Many of our A-Level and BTEC courses include mathematical skills. Including Biology, Applied Science, Psychology, Business, Geography and Computer science. This enrichment offers to bridge any gaps for maths skills. For example:
learning how to utilise statistics for data analysis and interpreting research findings.
quantitative analysis of data and statistical modelling.
employing mathematical calculations for financial analysis, market research, and business planning
develop practical maths skills by exploring aspects of the financial world like loans, budgeting, tax and pay
Quotes from previous students include:
This enrichment option should help you with the maths you encounter in other subjects and in everyday life.