Designed to allow students to delve deeper into their chosen topics than the standard A Level can reach, the EPQ evening sees students display a year's work of research on topics they have chosen themselves.
Gemma Cunliffe, Head of Extended Studies, who oversees the EPQ taken by Year 12 students, said: "It teaches many transferable skills: project planning, presentation, academic writing, referencing, and explaining their subject to a non-specialist audience and it also gives them a chance to develop subject matter from their A Level courses or dig deeper into projects about which they are truly passionate."
One such student was Ria Sharma, 18, who presented 44 pages of detailed research, having read widely on what she could unearth on the effects of partition on Hindu women in India and Pakistan. Ria, who wants to read Biology at university, added: "I had to do a lot of reading to find the evidence I wanted present, because very little has been written on what happens to women at times of war, whether on the Sub Continent or anywhere in the world."
"I found women on both sides of the Partition were used for retribution; murdered, raped and abused to spite the other side. Women may not appear too often on the front line, but behind the lines they are very much part of war. My conclusion is that when you look back on most conflicts, you will think, 'Well what was that for and was it worth it,' and the answer is invariably 'No'. I am sure that is how we will come to think of the current wars in Ukraine and Gaza."
Ben Shone, 18, who wants to read Economics at university, chose a related subject, which stirs his social conscience. "I want to see greater equality in society and I think the Universal Basic Income should ultimately replace the Minimum Wage and universal credit, because it is a simpler and fairer method. However, if it was set at the levels many want to see, it could lead to an 85% per cent increase in tax and that isn’t sustainable. So I am afraid my conclusion is that it has to be higher than the current status quo, but still nearer to the poverty line."
Minty Kight, who also wants to read Economics next year, examined the impact off Artificial Intelligence on the jobs market and whether with the prospect of fewer jobs, society should again be looking at universal wage schemes to spread wealth. "I think AI will replace many jobs, buts also create many new jobs, some of which we haven’t even thought of yet, so there will be opportunities as well as job market problems."
Kaylee Brierley, who wants to read Law, looked at the hugely controversial use of the insanity defence in the US legal system to reduce sentences.
"It is only applicable in one per cent of cases and only 25% per cent of those cases use it successfully, but it might stop many people who have serious mental health issues languishing in prison, when they could be supported and treated by mental health professionals in a secure setting."
"There is one case in Texas where a woman murdered all five of her children, but has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and obviously there is great concern that she could now be nearing release. Donald Trump is in favour of its wider use and I have to say I agree with him. The reduction in social interaction because of social media and the lasting effects of Covid isolation has seen a worldwide increase in mental health issues."
Another controversial topic was whether the crown jewels should be taken apart to return the Koh-I-Noor diamond to its original owners.
Ben Martin, who wants to read International Relations at university examined this problematic issue. "It was taken from the Sikh Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh in the 1890s, who was Indian at that time, but some argue would have gone to Pakistan after partition. While some think Afghanistan has a claim because some 300 years ago it was originally their stone."
"In a region of great tension, I think the solution would be to agree its return but at some time the future so as not to increase tensions. There is, of course. also the domino effect. If we return the Koh-I-Noor, what about the Elgin Marbles and so many other thousands of artefacts in British museums. I believe each case will have to be examined on its own merits."