Rugby School, in conjunction with Edexcel, is holding a conference exploring ways of implementing the new Edexcel Extended Project Qualification, drawing on the model of the ‘Perspectives on Science’ course. 

The Extended Project is an exciting vehicle for academically stretching and liberating research project work.  The AS qualification ‘Perspectives on Science’ (history, philosophy and ethics of science) has been developed over the past nine years by a national team of teachers, authors and academics led by Dr John Taylor, Chief Examiner, Edexcel Extended Project and Director of Critical Skills, Rugby School. It is a highly acclaimed, credible model for the Extended Project. 

Edexcel Qualifications & Accreditation Director, Isabel Sutcliffe said:

“We are delighted to see Rugby School hosting a conference highlighting the benefits of the Extended Project. This new qualification is a great way of stretching and challenging students both ethically and mentally. It motivates students to be innovative and forward thinking.

“It forms part of the Diploma as well as a stand alone qualification and is the equivalent of an AS level. It’s now being recognised by the university community and so with the Extended Project A-level students can be confident that it will help them to secure their university places.”

The Perspectives Conference will feature inspirational keynote addresses exploring how historical, philosophical and ethical approaches can enrich and deepen curriculum extension studies. Speakers include Simon Blackburn (Professor of philosophy, University of Cambridge), Niall Ferguson (Laurence A Tisch Professor of history at Harvard University and Senior Research Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford), Michael Reiss (Professor of Science Education at the Institute of Education and Director of Education at the Royal Society) and Dr John Taylor of Rugby School (Chief Examiner, Edexcel Extended Project).

Rugby has supported Perspectives as a pilot centre since its inception in 2004, using the course to broaden the education of both science and humanities A Level students through cross-curricular delivery involving languages and humanities teachers alongside scientists. Students typically follow a two-year programme allowing time for the development of their critical thinking, research and presentation skills in the lower sixth, followed by dissertation writing and an oral presentation to their teachers and peers in the second year. The development of Perspectives happened with support from the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust and has attracted national and international interest.

While Perspectives has played a highly influential role in shaping the development of the Extended Project, the Extended Project qualification framework has huge potential for expanding the Perspectives approach to other subject areas and other types of student activity such as scientific investigation, field study, artefact design and performance. The essence of the course is a flexible teaching model that fosters a mixture of curiosity, innovative thinking and open-mindedness. The Conference will provide a forum for the exploration of these ideas and the dissemination of a model of good practice in delivery of Extended Projects to UK and overseas centres.

For further information please contact Dr Jonathan Smith, Director of Communications at Rugby School, on 01788 556189, email jcs@rugbyschool.net.