DOZENS of students at a York college celebrated the benefits of taking part in a programme of extended learning.

More than 60 students have completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside their A-level, vocational and apprenticeship courses at York College this year.

York Press:

These students have carried out a sustained project on subjects that are of real interest to them, taking their studies to a deeper level. At a special event held in the college atrium, to which parents were invited, they received a specially bound version of their work.

The EPQ involves students in learning advanced research skills including Harvard referencing, project management and other valuable transferrable skills.

This year’s students submitted EPQs on a whole range of subjects with interesting titles such as: ‘Extra-Terrestrial Life, does it exist?, Has the Spanish Civil War had a positive or negative impact on Spain overall and Does Progressive Taxation Improve Living Standards?

The EPQ supports progression to Higher Education and is highly regarded by universities and employers alike - it carries the same UCAS points as an AS level.

William Salmon, formerly of Market Weighton School, has produced an EPQ on ‘What is the Future of Space Travel’.

He said: “I want to study physics and astro-physics at the University of Leeds and learning how to source materials and structure a bibliography has been a valuable learning experience.”

Parent Ruth Ainley said her daughter Hannah became passionate about her Extended Project on the Spanish Civil War.

She said: “I think the EPQ gave her a good flavour of university level work. It provided an opportunity for her to concentrate on something academic and it was always going to be beneficial.

“Hannah is hoping to go to Newcastle University and if she gets a good grade for her EPQ her entry grades could be slightly lowered – the EPQ is a bit of an insurance policy.”

Head of Studies for A-level at York College, Hayley McQueen said: “The Extended Project provides a wonderful opportunity for students to research, write about and present a subject of their choosing.

“There have been some really fantastic projects this year and students have demonstrated self-motivation and great organisations skills in completing the work alongside their studies.

“The EPQ prepares students for the kind of independent learning expected in Higher Education.”