Cranleigh Abu Dhabi EPQ Results Higher Than UK Average

DATE: 22 January 2020. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s Year 13 have achieved outstanding results in their Extend Project Qualification (EPQ) with 68% of students achieving A and A*grades, 95% achieving a grade B or above, and 100% achieving a grade C or above. The results are higher than the UK National average (please see table below) and on a par with top selective UK independent schools such as Marlborough College, Bedford School and Reading Blue Coat School, where only high-achieving students take the EPQ.

The EPQ is an independent research project that allows students to extend their abilities beyond the A Level syllabus and prepare them for university or future careers. It is equivalent to half an A Level and is highly regarded by many universities since it helps students to develop critical thinking skills, giving weight to applications.

The results come on the back of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s top iGCSE results last year where 73% of all grades achieved were 7 – 9 (equivalent to A*- A), but also the strength of the EPQ programme. Rory Gallagher is the Head of the EPQ at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and is passionate about giving pupils the skills they need to exceed at university and beyond. He says:

¨We are incredibly proud of our students again this year as not only have they produced some amazing results, but they are also developing and demonstrating the skills they need to become future leaders and global citizens. Their projects show an engagement with the issues that surround them, and a drive to seek solutions to those issues.¨

Projects ranged from writing and publishing a novel to investigating to what extent is it possible to predict economic decisions and consumer behaviour.

Many students use their work experience to inform and conceptualise their EPQ. Two Cranleigh Abu Dhabi students who submitted their EPQ projects to the Middle East Youth Expo have additionally been recognised: 17-year old Imogen Andrews, who after her work experience at IRENA Renewable Energy Assembly designed a solar-powered water filter for developing countries. Her design was not only awarded an A* by the exam board but she has also been awarded STEM  – Young leader of the Year Middle East Youth Expo 2020 (Youth – age 14-17 category). Likewise, 17-year old George Platt has been awarded Government & Society – Young leader of the Year Middle East Youth Expo 2020 for his dissertation on improving the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Both students have won a trophy and AED 5,000 towards their work in responsible global citizenship.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Sixth Form opened in 2016. It offers not just academic excellence but also numerous bespoke training, work experience, internship and life skills opportunities (IRENA, Model UN, World Scholars Cup) to ensure a balanced portfolio at the end of the school experience. Core and life skills are honed via weekly careers sessions and an extended, non-traditional work placement which runs from October to March. The programme sees students working with companies such as SAAB, NYU, Emirates Diplomatic Academy, Ramada Hotels group and PWC for three hours per week for 20 weeks.