Personal Development

The Extended Project Qualification is a Level 3 qualification that asks candidates to work their way through a full research cycle and to produce a single piece of work, chosen independently.   

Students must develop all of the following skills:  

• Planning and organisation  
• Time and task management  
• Research and source evaluation  
• Analysis and evaluation  
• Independence and decision-making  

The recommended time to complete an EPQ is 120 hours, with 30 hours of taught skills, delivered by the EPQ Co-ordinator. Students who complete this project gain a qualification which is equal to half an A-Level. The EPQ enhances applications for university, apprenticeships, and work, as students are able to provide evidence that they are motivated by interest and capable of working independently.   

Students in Year 12 who choose to undertake the Extended Project Qualification will begin the course just after Easter, and complete the project in February of Year 13.

At Samuel Ryder Academy, we have a dynamic student leadership programme, with opportunities for every type of student. After a rigorous application process, two Head Students and four Senior Prefects are chosen to represent our thriving all-through school. These students form the backbone of our leadership structure and work hard to form, run, and develop the following committees:  

• Diversity, with whole school responsibility   
• Eco, in our Green School  
• Charity, raising money for the wider community   
• Sport, integrating physical health with academic  
• Well-being, creating space for students to thrive  

The leadership team includes a strong and varied team of Prefects, who contribute to Samuel Ryder Academy through leading and supporting events such as Primary Fireworks Night, Open Evening, and holiday fundraising.

As an all-through school, Samuel Ryder Academy provides many opportunities for students to develop their mentorship skills. In the Sixth Form, our students contribute in the following ways:  

• Primary and Secondary Learning Interventions  
• Library Assistance and Reading Interventions  
• Primary Music Support   
• Year 11 Academic Mentoring   
• Year 7 Social Mentoring  

By participating in Mentoring, Sixth Form students develop their teaching, their communication skills, and their ability to manage relationships.

At Samuel Ryder Academy, the Sixth Form team strives to support students by facilitating and supporting student-designed clubs, events, and opportunities.

This year, our students have initiated both a Medic club for students interested in studying Medicine and a Model UN for those interested in global politics and debate.

We encourage our students to communicate their ideas openly, so we can help them develop their own future goals.