Photo – BGS 2023 alumna, Aimee King

In the last couple of weeks, two members of our alumnae community joined us to share their research experiences with our Lower Sixth students. They highlighted the importance of the skills students are developing through the EPQ process, demonstrating how these skills will support them at university and in their future careers.

Many of our Sixth Formers choose to undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to enhance their studies and personal statements, as well as increase their UCAS points total. The qualification is recognised by universities and offers students the equivalent of achieving half an A Level.

Open University Research Scientist and Biology Lecturer, Dr Claire Kotecki (née Horsler, DAHS 1989), explained that she has worked in a number of different settings throughout her career, and having strong research skills has enabled her to transfer these into each new area of work, as well as explore other opportunities available to her. Claire also shared some of her own research areas as a scientist.

We were also joined by University of Bath student, Aimee King (BGS 2023), who really enjoyed the research element of the EPQ and was able to combine her interests in Politics, Philosophy, Ethics, and Social Issues to explore the question  To what extent should the United States implement a more comprehensive sex education programme? This sparked Aimee’s interest in studying Sociology at degree level, allowing her to explore various other areas of research topics while developing her analytical skills, especially when examining matters such as public policy.

EPQ Coordinator, Mrs Yeomans, commented: “The EPQ is a valuable qualification giving students the independence to shape their own research aligned to current and future goals.  Our visits demonstrated to the students not only the power of critical thinking within their current studies but also a life-long affinity with research.”