The PULSE Programme

Personal Understanding, Learning Skills and Enrichment

The PULSE Programme facilitates the development of both academic and personal core skills in Shiplake Sixth Form pupils. Universities and employers are increasingly demanding individuals who can offer more than simply a ‘set of grades’ and are equipped for success in further study and the world of work. Some of the skills demanded by such bodies, and inculcated through the PULSE Programme, include:

Time management Problem solving Initiative Research skills Digital literacy Oral presentation Collaboration Discussion Critical thinking Self evaluation

The PULSE Programme is integrated into the timetable for a Sixth Form pupil, occupying three lessons per week. It is a Year 12 only programme, allowing Year 13 to focus more on preparation for the important subject examinations.

The programme involves a taught study skills component which aims to equip pupils for the demands of Sixth Form study and beyond. Pupils then follow a route to gaining an accredited qualification which will attract UCAS points to aid university or job applications. The qualifications will not have a traditional examination component, but will be assessed through a combination of ‘The Three Ps’ - Project, Presentation and Portfolio.

There is a very strong emphasis on independent learning in these qualifications, and we intend to develop and support this key trait in all of our pupils.

On top of this, the pupils take part in a regular series of lectures. The topics are vast and varied and their aim is to broaden pupils’ horizons, stretch their knowledge in subjects they are studying and explore new topics and ideas.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

UCAS Tariff Points: A* (28), A (24), B (20), C (16), D (12), E (8)

The EPQ Level 3 qualification is our most popular PULSE course. It holds more UCAS Tariff points than an AS Level and achieving a good grade provides an opportunity for some universities (e.g. Newcastle, Southampton) to reduce their standard grade offer.

Pupils select a research question based on their specific academic interest. This allows for extension of one of their core subjects, “We welcome the Extended Project and would encourage you to undertake one as for those wishing to explore a specific topic it will help you develop independent study in much and research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher education.” greater detail, or it allows for new academic University of Cambridge areas to be developed that are not offered through the core subjects at Shiplake (such as Law, International Relations, Finance, Earth Science, Astronomy, Architecture, History of Art, and so on).

Pupils will be allocated a supervisor with whom they have regular lessons to discuss, inform and review their progress on the qualification. In addition to the research element of the course, there is a taught component covering research skills, time management, critical thinking, referencing and presentation skills.

The beauty of this qualification is the variety of methods of submitting the project; it may be through a written document, a performance, or even the construction of an artefact. Pupils will be required to complete a detailed research review and also to present their ideas to an audience at the end of the course.