Project Qualifications

Project qualifications are ideal vehicles for broadening the curriculum, fostering independent learning and critical thinking skills, and preparing students for higher education and jobs.

Practising Science targets all three Project Qualifications:

  • FPQ and HPQ - GCSE level standard
  • EPQ - A level standard

    HPQ

    HPQ is the main target for the Practising Science course, where students carry out an extended enquiry into a topic of interest with guidance from a teacher. The HPQ is recommended to take 60 guided learning hours, and consists of a teaching element to equip students with the skills which they then put to use in their project work to:

    • Select an area of interest and draft a title and aims
    • Plan, research, and execute their project
    • Produce a product - report, or artefact, or presentation
    • Provide evidence of the project development and product

    Science HPQ

    Although HPQ is typically done as an internet-based essay project, the awarding bodies note that the qualification is ideally suited to science and engineering projects:

    • Using primary data often results in higher marks
    • students may by mentored by a STEM professional, enhancing careers awareness
    • experimentation and problem-solving improve long-term interest and science identity

    Practising Science adapts HPQ framework to create a course in scientific inquiry, plus an intrduction to engineering design. It aims to develop students into thinking and acting like 'junior' scientists and engineers, so they are able to carry out a high-quality investigative project. Schools can also choose to follow either the Pearson or AQA's HPQ specification which are very similar. 

    Practising Science course is structured around the two parts of the HPQ qualification: the teaching element and the projects element.

    The teaching element: focuses on training students in science and engineering practices, to prepare them with the skills necessary to manage and execute a project effectively. It lasts around 20 guided learning hours

    The project element: is the extended investigation and ends up in a written report for a science investigation, or a prototype for an engineering project. It lasts around 20 guided learning hours.

      Flexible routes

      The course is designed for progression and flexibility, with routes towards each Project Qualification depending on how well students learn science/engineering practices from the teaching element, and apply them in the project element. 

      HPQ + HPQ:  Some students will find the guided project resources targeted at HPQ level projects  enough of a challenge. Learning from their Y10 project, they can aspire towards higher grades in the Y11 project.

      HPQ + EPQ: Some students will master the science/engineering practices in Y10 and progress to a more independent investigation in Y11, meeting the more demanding requirements of an EPQ.

      FPQ + HPQ: Some students may struggle with the science/engineering practices and aim for an FPQ in Y10, progressing to an HPQ in Y11.