English 

In English we stretch our HPA students by providing stretch and challenge questions and feedback after assessments when they do a DIRT task. We were pleased to have several grade 9s in the summer exams. For KS4 homework, we have been trialling an 'extra hot' task that requires more challenge. HPA students are expected to do more of these difficult homework tasks. We also provide gcse poetry trips to the dome for HPA students. In KS3, we are using challenging texts and deeper thinking questions to extend student responses and ideas further. KS3 units are topic-based so we can explore around subjects, which is a crucial skill required for grade 8 and 9 at GCSE. 

https://markrobertsteach.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/teaching-structure-for-the-new-english-gcses/

https://mrhansonsenglish.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/gcse-english-language-paper-1-question-4/

https://mrhansonsenglish.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/year-11-writing-for-language-paper-1-question-5/

https://www.youtube.com/user/mrbruff

Each subject at HPS aims to provide our HPA community with an insight into acquiring the key skills needed to prepare for EPQ type projects at A Level. These projects are designed to develop core skills required in the workplace closely linked to subjects that interest our HPA students. Follow the link here to access the subject-specific projects we are offering to students from September 2020.

An EPQ provides further academic stretch and challenge alongside A Level studies and also helps to evidence a genuine interest in a specific area (which is useful for UCAS university applications). An EPQ also carries UCAS points and is valued at 50% of a full A Level in the UCAS tariff.

An example from a science EPQ type project in 2020

More information on A Level EPQ projects and themes:

https://oxfordaqaexams.org.uk/subjects/projects/extended-project-work-research