Sixth Formers share their passions through EPQ assemblies at the Junior School

Sixth Formers share their passions through EPQ assemblies at the Junior School 

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an exciting academic project offered to all St Mary’s Sixth Form students in Year 12. It is an additional qualification that equates to 28 UCAS points and allows students to explore a topic of their choice, beyond their standard A Level subjects. It is designed to develop skills in research, critical thinking, and project management, preparing students for university-level study and future careers.  

Darcey A., Sixth Former, presented her EPQ project in a Junior School assembly – ‘Evangaline’s Castle Adventure’ a book that she researched and designed for students aged 7 to 9 years old. 

Darcey explained that her book came from her personal experience of learning to cope with Dyslexia when she was younger, and how with support and love, she has turned this into her ‘superpower’.  Darcey spoke with passion about how she wanted the characters to represent children who are neurodivergent and that working together can help you overcome the challenges that life brings. 

The pupils listened intently and asked Darcey some great questions as she explained that having a book like this to read when she was younger would have helped her understand herself more.  

Hannah P, Year 13, presented her EPQ artifact – ‘Book of Engineering Projects’ that she had researched and designed for pupils in Years 5 to 9 in a bid to “pass on her love of Engineering to the next generation”. 

Hannah explained to the girls why she was applying to study Engineering at Oxford University and shared more on the designs she had skilfully created, such as a rubber band powered car and a spring powered rocket.  

Both Darcey and Hannah donated a copy of their books to the Junior School library so the pupils can read them whenever they wish.