Project Skills

The Extended Essay (EE), Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the Higher Project (HPQ) and the Malim Prize provide excellent contexts for teaching students throughout their time at Wellington College to learn more independently, to engage in individual research, manage their time and to develop their skills in critical thinking and creative expression of ideas.

Malim Prize

The Malim Prize is awarded to a small number of Third Form pupils at the end of the year to recognise excellent independent project work. The format of the Malim Prize includes three projects completed during the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

These projects are designed to develop independent learnings skills and become longer and increasingly open-ended as the year progress, providing pupils with greater choice to explore their own interests.

The pupils also receive complementary training in IT, Research and Referencing skills to help them complete the work.

The first two projects are completed in the Michaelmas term and are designed to help pupils connect with their new surroundings and learn about the rich history of Wellington College. In the first half term, pupils are asked to develop a plan for a piece artwork to be displayed in the College. They are encouraged to explore the College buildings, complete research and must then present their ideas and vision via OneNote – a Microsoft Office platform widely used at Wellington.

In their second project the pupils research and write a 300 word essay related to the history of the College. Emphasis is placed on quality of research and note-taking, and the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources to answer the specific question.

In the Lent term pupils have a choice from Science, Geography and English briefs and are given more time and freedom to explore the subject. Detailed research, clear presentation of their ideas and the ability to reference sources correctly are important features for all projects.

Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)

The Higher Project Qualification is a Level 2 qualification, in line with GCSEs, and the students will receive grades from A*-D.

The course represents 60 hours of work, with 30 hours of taught content and another 30 hours of independent work.

The HPQ provides 4th & 5th form pupils with the opportunity for pupils to engage with independent learning in a safe environment.

They can explore something which interests them beyond the traditional curriculum and for pupils to create a critical or creative response to it.

The HPQ is designed to increase the independence of the students at Wellington College. The aim of this course is to ensure that, by the time they have reached Sixth Form, all students have been equipped with the appropriate skills to be independent learners.

The HPQ course will run from the September of 4^th Form until the December of 5^th Form. There are no HPQ lessons in 5^th form, though the students should be arranging individual meetings with their supervisors at this time. The HPQs will be marked and moderated between December and May, when the marks will be submitted to AQA.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The Extended Project Qualification is an independent, externally assessed project representing 80 hours of work, made up of both a taught content and independent work. This is taken by the majority of A-level students at Wellington College.

Projects last year included taking a play to the Edinburgh Fringe, the production of a food blog seen around the world, an extended essay on quantum mechanics and determinism and a musical compositions that reflect the history of Jazz.

All students are assessed on their ability to manage their time, select and use appropriate resources, and problem solve on their way to producing their final product. Students who demonstrate these skills make better students across all their subjects and, by allowing students genuine space and support in exploring their interests it also helps them make more informed choices about university. This is recognised by universities who are, in increasing numbers, recognising Project Skills qualifications in their UCAS offers to students as being a genuine indicator of whether a student can work independently from the structures of school life.

Extended Essay (EE)

The Extended Essay is a compulsory part of the IB Diploma. It is a highly academic essay of 4000 words written within a subject of the student’s choice (such as English or History) or as a combination of two IB subjects (for example studying the treatment of depression using Psychology and Biology).

Incredibly successful in terms of gaining IB points, but brilliant also for UCAS personal statement, Oxbridge interview or application to the USA. Last year saw an extraordinary variety of titles: Photovoltaic energy in Germany.

Is contemporary art overpriced? The impact of Brexit on UK universities. To what extent might Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance be successful in creating an egalitarian society? The Gothic genre of Wuthering Heights and Freud’s uncanny. To what extent was Nasser a successful leader of Egypt? And perhaps my favourite… 城乡基础教育差异的原因分析及解决建议 —以山东省菏泽市为例.