Nurturing a Research Community

Research Qualification Information

The Sweyne Park School has been nurturing the development of student researchers for the past 11 years, and we have provided the opportunity to research to over 400 students.

All research students demonstrate high levels of curiosity, passion and intrigue in an impressive range of subject areas. Students are independent thinkers and project managers, meeting with teacher supervisors to ensure the successful completion of their projects.

Due to the continued success of the HPQ (Years 8-10) and EPQ (Years 12-13) cohorts, we have launched the Foundation Project Qualification (FPQ) with Year 7 students, which means that each year group now has a cohort of researchers.

This cohort is not only supported by teacher supervisors but also work with a Year 12 EPQ students as part of a research mentorship programme.

Year 12 and Year 7 research students are in frequent dialogue, promoting confidence in sharing research ideas for Year 7 students and developing supervisory roles and experience for Year 12; research students are connected through the research process, promoting and fostering positive working relationships across year groups.

We are one of the few schools in the local area to offer all three levels of research qualifications and we support students wishing to write either a dissertation, a field study or more creative representations of research including the artefact and performance.

Our strong relationship with The University of Southampton means that we work collaboratively with their outreach team, with access to undergraduate resources and facilities at the university.

Research Qualification Levels

We offer the following three research qualifications, with each research qualification building on skills to reach EPQ standard, the AS level equivalent.

  • Level 1 The Foundation Project Qualification
  • Level 2 Higher Project Qualification
  • Level 3 The Extended Project Qualification

 

 

 

 

 

All qualification levels encourage students to:

  • Individually managing and design an in-depth research project of their choice; showing independence beyond the curriculum
  • Develop and improve their own performance as critical, reflective and independent learners
  • Extend their planning, research, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills
  • Improve as e-confident learners and applying relevant technologies in their studies
  • Use different learning experiences to support their personal aspirations for further education and/or career development.

Each qualification level is supported by teacher supervisors, morning tutor sessions and regular research workshops once a week after school.

We have a strong relationship with our school librarian, Michelle Waghorn, who offers exceptional advice regarding literature and advising where to look for research areas.

The teaching on each research pathway aspires to make students research ready across all key stages, providing students with transferable skills to support GCSE and A level study, and post Sweyne Park choices, including both undergraduate study and / or professional pathways.

We celebrate research success at all levels by hosting a Research Poster Conference, inviting parents, friends and teacher supervisors to share in the completion of research projects.

We make research achievements visible to inspire students to develop further their interests and to thank staff, friends and parents for supporting our students.