EQP Research Success for BGS Year 13 Students
I am thrilled to report that this year’s Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) cohort produced a truly outstanding set of results – all 17 students submitted research projects at grade B or above (the grade that is recognised by many universities as a reason for lowering entry requirements), with 13 students achieving the A* standard and three students attaining the hugely impressive accolade of full marks (50/50)
Overview
The research projects ranged across a variety of topics and academic disciplines, with History, Geography, Law, English Literature, Classics, EPR, Medicine, Dance, Architecture, Sport, Psychology and the STEM subjects all represented. Students also studied private passions that drew on several disciplines, such as an examination of the Kumari practice in Nepal, a survey of viable exoplanets, an exploration of the health benefits of different diets and an investigation into the driving forces behind the growth of women’s football. In addition, we had two artefact projects this year: a fascinating architectural ideas design board for a property in Stamford, considering both the historical context of the town and the need for sustainable features; and for the other, the choreography and performance of three incredibly accomplished dances in the Bharatanatyam style.
Outstanding research
The three projects achieving full marks were on medical and science topics. Mayra Narang’s comparative research into rabies treatment regimes, which she wrote in July 2025, actually predicted a finding that was later covered in an academic paper, written by academics and medical practitioners, in December 2025: specifically, the potential for person-to-person transmission of rabies through organ donations in some US states and the need for generalised organ screening.
Akshaya Tirchunapalli and Hasini Vijayasankar received direct praise from the AQA External Moderator for producing “projects of outstanding quality, having clearly developed deep understanding of Type 1 Diabetes and the Gut-Brain connection and mental health treatment (respectively), linking clearly to their aspirations to become medics.” The AQA Moderator also provided honourable mentions for Jyoti Bista and Harriet Dunn, whose projects were regarded as “both highly original and very personal”. They both attained comfortable A* grades.
AQA Feedback
The AQA Moderator made two further observations which provide validation for the BGS approach to this qualification. First, “It is clear from the strong taught skills programme noted (by students) within the Production Logs that staff have delivered excellent sessions to enable students to gain the skills necessary for success in this qualification.” Second, “It has been a pleasure to moderate your candidates’ projects and to note the excellent development of skills and knowledge.”