16 October 2025
Over the past two days, Upper Sixth students have given excellent presentations about the research and work they have undertaken for their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and what they have learnt along the way.
The EPQ is a popular additional curriculum option for Sixth Form students, for which they research and write a 5,000-word essay on any topic of their choice not covered by their A Level syllabus, with guidance from a staff supervisor.
As always, the questions students have chosen to address cover a very wide range of areas, such as:
What are the barriers to making fusion cancer therapy the preferred choice of cancer treatment?
How has house music evolved as a cultural and artistic movement, and how can a DJ set demonstrate its key influences and innovations?
Napoleon as a hero and saviour: to what extent did propaganda facilitate Napoleon's accession to power as the First Consul of France from 1796-1799?
Does wearable technology assist in injury prevention or limit maximum performance?
How do Disney’s characters shape and reflect gender stereotypes, young girls’ body image and the perception of women in society?
The EPQ is highly regarded by universities since successful candidates demonstrate research skills, independence and perseverance. Head Girl Waishe found undertaking an EPQ very rewarding, as she explains below.
Waishe, Upper Sixth
When it came to choosing my EPQ topic, I wanted to research something real, that actually matters in the world right now. I’ve always been interested in how countries grow and why some seem stuck in poverty even though they have huge amounts of natural resources.
That’s what led me to my question: Does China’s involvement in the DRC’s cobalt mining industry provide a blueprint for international development in the 21st century? I wanted to understand whether China’s investment in Africa is genuine help or just another form of control, and what that means for the future of global development.
The project helped me develop my research skills, of course, but I also was able to learn how to read academic sources properly, how to manage a long project, and how to back up my opinions with evidence. I even completed a university course on academic writing and kept a full research journal to track my progress.
Doing an EPQ wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely worth it. I came out of it with a better understanding of the world and how complex “helping” other countries can really be.