LEH Pupils Build Critical Thinking, Research and Project Management Skills Through a Bespoke EPQ-Style Programme
This week our Year 8 students were presenting on a wide range of interesting topics from How do competitive team sports impact happiness? and What are the effects of skincare products on children aged 3 to 16? to How have Middle Eastern foods adapted through cultural exchange? as part of our Be Bold Project. We saw many brilliant presentations which truly demonstrated their depth of research, independent thinking, critical thinking and presentation sills, all valuable attributes for the world beyond school and university.
We believe academic excellence is about far more than achieving outstanding results.
It is about developing curious, confident, and independent learners who are equipped with the skills to thrive throughout their education and beyond and this is the philosophy sits at the heart of the Be Bold! Project, a bespoke programme inspired by the structure of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Designed to prepare pupils for the increasing demands of Sixth Form, university and future careers, the project encourages students to undertake an in-depth piece of independent research on a topic that genuinely interests them. By choosing their own area of study, pupils take ownership of their learning while developing a range of highly valued academic and transferable skills. Throughout the project, they learn how to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, conduct effective research, evaluate evidence critically, organise their time and communicate their findings with confidence.
The presentations were the culminations of weeks of work which included a 2,000-word essay. Alongside working independently, students participated in dedicated study skills lessons that introduced them to the tools and techniques used in higher education, including research methodology, academic writing, self-reflection and the Harvard system of referencing. The Be Bold! Project also places a strong emphasis on critical thinking. Throughout the projects, the girls were encouraged to question assumptions, explore different perspectives and engage deeply with complex ideas, enabling them to move beyond simply learning facts to becoming thoughtful, analytical learners.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the project is that it nurtures a genuine passion for learning.
By investigating subjects that matter to them personally, pupils discover the excitement of intellectual enquiry and the satisfaction of producing original, independent work. This process helps to build resilience, confidence and curiosity, qualities that underpin academic success across every subject.
The Be Bold! Project is a key part of LEH’s commitment to providing an education that prepares pupils not only for examinations, but for the challenges and opportunities of higher education and life beyond school. Through independent research, project-based learning and academic scholarship, students gain the confidence to ask ambitious questions, think critically, and pursue knowledge with purpose. you can find out more about our Academic Enrichment Programme here.
We believe that bold thinking leads to brilliant outcomes, and the Be Bold! Project is helping our pupils build the foundations for a lifetime of learning.
Bold Beginnings Start Here.
