THE EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ

The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is a free-standing qualification offering students the opportunity to produce an extended piece of work either in an area they are studying or in which they have a particular interest. Students plan, research, evaluate and present an independent project, equipping them with the research, reflection and independent study skills they will need to succeed at university. Worth UCAS points equivalent to an AS-level, it can often result in a lower university offer as it demonstrates an ability to study beyond the expectations of the A-level curriculum. Year 12 students are introduced to the EPQ during enrichment and we encourage them all to begin the process, with about 70% of students going on to complete a project. Even if the project is not completed, students still benefit from the taught research skills sessions. The EPQ is another way in which students can stand out to employers and admissions tutors.

For my EPQ I have chosen to create an art textiles piece analysing and showcasing the themes of Oscar Wilde’s novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’. I am currently studying English literature and I took textiles at GCSE, so I decided to centre my EPQ around a stimulus incorporating skills from both subjects. For the research phase of my project I looked into the themes and symbolism within the novel, the wider context of 19th century values, and the ‘aestheticism’ and ‘decadence’ movements in which Wilde played a key part and heavily influenced his work. I also researched typical men’s fashion during the late 19th century when the book was set, and later, once I had decided which type of garment I wanted to make, I did some further research into 1890s men’s waistcoats. I collated all of my research in a sketchbook that I could refer back to when completing my designs. Through completing my research, I decided that I wanted to create two waistcoats to symbolise one of the major themes of the novel: appearance versus reality. One waistcoat will represent Dorian’s false facade of youth, beauty and moral purity, whilst the other will represent his decaying soul and complete lack of morality, just like the painting does in the novel. After finishing the first set of designs, I began to create samples to test out some of the ideas I had come up with, such as sublimation printing onto different fabrics, bleaching velvet, free-machining and looking at different ways to embroider maggots! I then wrote up and evaluated all of my samples in my sketchbook, and used what I had learned to complete another set of designs. Once I was happy with my final designs I could begin sewing - which is the part I am at now. I have almost finished my first waistcoat, which represents Dorian’s moral appearance, and next week I am aiming to move onto the second.

So far, the EPQ has taught me how manage a project with minimal assistance. I have learned how to manage my time and plan out my next steps in order to ensure I finish within the deadline. I have also learned how to research a subject in depth and only use select information that is relevant and useful.

I wanted my EPQ to join my A-level subjects - PE, economics, business and maths - together into one project. As I decided on my topic, it just so happened that the delayed Tokyo Olympics were finishing, so I decided to analyse the finances of the Olympic Games. I was shocked to find that every Olympics since 1960 has run over budget, with an average overspend of 172%. As examples, the City of Montreal, which hosted the 1976 Olympics, took three decades to pay off their debt, and in 2016 (just two months before the opening ceremony!) Rio’s Governor declared a state of emergency to avoid bankruptcy after spending more than £14BN. Not surprisingly, some economists have described hosting the Olympics as ‘the winner’s curse’, the paradox where the winning city is actually worse off than it would have been had it lost the bid. This led me to ask why, given that the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) have been held more than 50 times, host nations keep getting their costs so wrong. My research so far has identified six key themes of reoccurring financial misjudgements by host cities. Firstly, there is the irreversibility of winning, meaning the hosts must deliver by a set date at whatever cost. Secondly, the demanding requirements set by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and sporting governing bodies means there is less scope to reduce costs as you might with other large projects, such as infrastructure projects. Thirdly, the long planning cycle of the Olympics (as much as 11 years) increases the likelihood of a so-called ‘black swan’ event occurring, such as an economic decline or external shock. The obvious example here is the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the Tokyo Games at a cost of £2.8BN. There is also inevitably some degree of poor management and inexperience by the hosts, sometimes called the ‘eternal beginner’s syndrome’, but which also extends to the IOC. Human failings of politicians and leaders appear to play a part too, their judgement clouded by them wanting their place in history. Finally, the bidding process itself results in everyone trying to out-do each other, leading to unrealistic targets relating to everything from opening ceremonies to stadiums. As things currently stand, few countries want to take the risk of staging the Games. This raises the questions of what can be done to make the Games more financially viable in the future? Several options could be considered, from having a permanent home of the Games, to regional collaboration (more than one host city), better advice and guidance for the hosts, stronger management and involvement from the IOC and limits on expenditure. I personally think it would be a shame not to stage the Olympics at different venues around the globe, but accept that the Games may have become too expensive to be a one-off event. Perhaps by allowing cities to bid to hold the Games twice (for example the 2032 AND the 2040 Games), the infrastructure costs would be more manageable and make it more feasible for developing nations to host.

Sasha, who is a keen sports woman, chose to focus her EPQ on a topic linked to her A-level in PE, but also one that tied in with her other A-level subjects: economics, business and maths. Q