Transcript Slide 1
AQA Baccalaureate
Post 16 Students at Downend have the opportunity to study for
the AQA Baccalaureate as part of their Core Programme.
To achieve this qualification students have to successfully
complete three A2 Levels, AS General Studies, 100 hours of
community service and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
(AS Level) This is a fantastic opportunity for our students which
is being offered to just over 100 schools in the UK.
For the EPQ, students will research their own hypothesis and
produce a report which is like a small dissertation. Students can
choose a topic which could be an extension of their A Level
Studies or a completely separate interest of their choice.
More information can be found on the PowerPoint entitled EPQ
Possibilities.
AQA
Bacc
Broader Study
Designed to develop
critical
thinking/citizenship
skills through –
General Studies,
Critical Thinking or
Citizenship to AS
Level.
Enrichment
Activities
Independent
Learning
Community
participation (for
example community
work in local schools,
hospitals, charities);
Work-related
learning; Personal
development
activities eg Duke of
Edinburgh Award
scheme, debating
society etc.
The Extended Project
will develop students’
abilities to manage
tasks using their own
initiative and
resources
Recognised, academic study in-depth
The Bacc is built on the solid foundation of students main A Level choices.
DCSF
The extended project will allow students time to
study a subject in depth and to develop
independent research and study skills. It will be a
single piece of work requiring a high degree of
planning, preparation, research and autonomous
working. Projects will differ by subject but will all
require students to persist and explore a subject
independently and in depth.
All projects should demonstrate ‘extension’ of the
students’ knowledge and understanding and should
not be a repetition of a task that could be assessed as
part of another qualification.
(Briefing for HE)
Higher Education
We would want the project to develop in the student
independent thinking, independent research skills,
analytical skills, critical thinking skills, extended
argumentation skills and essay writing skills, as well
as basic presentation skills – the balance between
these depending, of course, on the subject of study.
If implemented and delivered properly, such a project
would be enormously beneficial to students…
(University of Cambridge response to
14-19 Education White Paper)
Extended project Level 3
The extended project is a qualification that:
Comprises a single piece of work, of the student’s choosing,
that shows evidence of: planning, preparation, research and
autonomous working
Can be taken as a standalone qualification and it is a
compulsory part of a Diploma at Level 3
Is equivalent to about half the size of an A level study
programme and will be graded on a six point scale of A*-E
May include: a design; a report; a dissertation; an artefact,
or, a performance
Involves a taught element, independent learning and may
involve group projects subject to group members’ roles being
clearly identified
Extended project Level 3 continued
The extended project are:
To strengthen programmes of study for 16-19 year olds,
testing a wider range of skills
To extend planning, research and critical thinking,
presentation, synthesis and evaluation skills
To build continually between A levels and Diploma Level 3
To allow choice and input into the design of an extended
piece of work
To provide a ‘tool kit’ of skills that better prepare students
for higher education and employment.
QCA Briefing
The extended project is a single piece of work of a student’s
choosing that requires evidence of planning, preparation,
research and autonomous working…
An extended project is about the size of half an A level…
The aim of the extended project is to strengthen
programmes of study for 16 to 19-year-olds, testing a wider
range of skills…
Students might use their project at interview stage for
higher education and/or in their personal statement on the
UCAS form…
Points
Extended
Project
160
120
90
80
70
A*
60
A
50
B
40
C
30
D
20
E
Points for A* to be determined in 2008
A free-standing qualification
Learners may choose to take the Extended Project
Qualification as an extension from studies for other
qualifications at Level 3, for example GCE, BTEC, NVQ
other academic or vocational qualifications including
Modern Apprenticeships
Alternatively the Extended Project Qualification may
explore an area of personal interest or activity outside
the main programme of study
The learner will
Identify, design, plan and complete an individual
project (or task within a group project), applying
organisational skills and strategies to meet stated
objectives
Obtain and select information from a range of
sources,
analyse
data,
apply
relevantly
and
demonstrate understanding of any appropriate
linkages, connections and complexities of the topic
Select and use a range of skills, including new
technologies where appropriate, to solve problems, to
take decisions critically, creatively and flexibly, and to
achieve planned outcomes
Evaluate outcomes including own learning and
performance and select and use a range of
communication skills and media to convey and present
evidenced outcomes and conclusions
120 Guided Learning Hours
Supervision
teaching
relevant skills (up to 30 glh)
mentoring and supervision of the learner’s progress.
assessment
Centre coordination
Management
of assessment evidence
Standardising assessment
Teaching (up to 30glh)
determined by the supervisor as appropriate
skills or techniques required for safety and
effectiveness
ICT skills
research skills
project management skills
project management writing skills
Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills, Functional
Skills and Key Skills
Project Product
The format of the end product should be ‘authentic’
– appropriate to the topic/task
written report (5000 words)
written report 1000 words) plus
artefact
CD/video/DVD of performance or activities
audiotape/multimedia presentation
slide presentation
photographic record
Production Log
essential element in overall qualification assessment
completion of all the set pages is minimum
provides documentation and evidence of
appropriate supervision (prevention of plagiarism,
skills teaching, advice given and acted upon)
skills development and use
decision making
thought and reflection
Presentation
For a non-specialist audience and sing media
appropriate to the type of project
Flipchart,
video
posters, OHP slides, presentation software,
Presentations should be supported by answers to
any questions from supervisors
Summary of Requirement
Production Log
Project
product
Presentation
Choice
Initial Planning
Project Approval
Research
Mid-Project
Supervisor
Review
Assessment
Log
Production
Centre
Artefact &
Report (5000)
Report (1000)
Standardisation
Review
AQA
Presentation
Reflection
Moderation