Alice's EPQ Sets Shining Example

Alice Parton, a Year 13 student at Ellesmere College, has had her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) research project picked as an example of outstanding work by the AQA exam board with her project to create jewellery from antique silver spoons she bought locally.

The 17 year old, who lives near Market Drayton, made rings, earrings and bracelets as part of her EPQ in Year 12 and said she wanted to create something that would give a new use to a product that already exists demonstrating a valid business model for the 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle' philosophy.

Alice explained, "My initial ideas for up-cycling antique silverware into modern and sustainable jewellery simply came from the idea that I wanted a spoon ring! Initial resources including social media helped me develop my first ring, and after some trial and error I learnt I needed a more malleable material such as sterling silver. I learnt lots about different hallmarks and what they mean, also about foreign silverware and how to use my time more efficiently when making the rings. After time my ideas developed into earrings and pendants too. One of the key resources throughout my project was interviewing professional jewellers such as Peggy Bourne, she showed me some of her work which helped inspire to inspire my designs. 

Alongside my EPQ project I set up a small business of selling the rings where I learnt how to keep organised in order to stay on top of the costs. I also learnt the importance of having good reviews and customer satisfaction. Regular meetings with my supervisor Mr. Orr helped me keep my project on track with the EPQ syllabus, aiding me to reach my full potential in my artefact and accompanying essay, and I am thrilled to hear that AQA moderators have said my work is an example of an outstanding EPQ project."

Alice, who is the fourth generation Parton to attend Ellesmere College, is also studying Art, Psychology and Biology at A Level and is an accomplished equestrian - she recently finished third at the Weston Park Horse Trials, an affiliated British Eventing competition, where she competed in dressage, show jumping and cross country.

Dr Tom Gareh, Head of Sixth Form at Ellesmere College, said: "We are so delighted that Alice has had this recognition for her work by the exam board. She worked extremely hard on the project, and her decision making, research and planning was all well thought out and displayed in the log book that accompanied her project."

About the EPQ

The EPQ is taken by all A Level students in the first year of Sixth Form (Year 12) and is a single piece of work, chosen and designed by the student, requiring a high degree of planning, preparation, persistence, research and autonomous working in real depth. Students keep a logbook of decision making, research and planning which is assessed at the end with their product; this can be a 5000 word essay or an artefact (a book, a piece of music, a dramatic production or an object). EPQs are highly valued by universities and are the equivalent of half an A Level – a valuable contribution to the overall application process for universities.

For more information about Sixth Form at Ellesmere College, please visit: Ellesmere College Sixth Form

4th January 2021  Back to News