Four NSCG Students celebrated For High Quality EPQ Work
04 November 2025
NSCG is proud to celebrate four students whose Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) demonstrated exceptional creativity, research and academic skill.
The EPQ is a qualification designed to extend and develop students’ skills beyond their main study programme, helping them prepare for university and future careers. Taken alongside their Level 3 studies, the EPQ is worth half an A Level and can earn up to 28 UCAS points.
Students are given the freedom to select their own topic, carrying out detailed research and showcasing their findings through a written report, artefact or creative production.
Leila Everill, who studied A Level Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Animation, saw the EPQ as an opportunity to combine her creativity with her passion for engineering. For her project, Leila chose to create an artefact: a collapsible play tent inspired by origami. She began by researching existing origami projects and experimenting with different folding techniques to understand their physical stability and movement. She then carried out market research on existing play tents before sketching designs and using CAD software to bring her concept to life.
Speaking about her EPQ, Leila said: “Doing the EPQ was a fun and informative challenge that really helped my confidence with organising larger scale design projects than I had previously attempted. Choosing an artefact project allowed for me to have a physical design project alongside my other subjects.”
Leila’s EPQ supported her application to the University of Oxford, where she is now studying Engineering.
Also completing an EPQ alongside his A Level studies was Edward Robinson, whose project investigated a possible new method of testing if one number is divisible by another without needing to calculate the result. His work aimed to analyse the new method’s efficiency and compare it to other known methods by using original Python code to conduct primary research.
Edward has since secured a place at the University of Bath to study Mathematics.
He said: “I have always been confident in my mathematical abilities however I used to struggle to explain concepts in a concise manner. Doing the EPQ helped me develop a writing style that was comprehensive and easy to understand. The EPQ confirmed that I wanted to study mathematics at a higher level, possibly pursuing a career in research mathematics further down the line.”
Inspired by her love of history, Shenay Rhodes-Hall decided to explore the Irish Potato Famine and its nature as a potential genocide.
Her project concluded that ‘while the potato famine doesn’t align with the UN definition of genocide or the definition of a crime against humanity, the British government’s actions can be characterised as ones that had a genocidal effect due to their negligence and adherence to laissez-faire economics.’
Now studying History at the University of Oxford, Shenay said: “The project allowed me to independently explore historical themes outside of the curriculum and look at how history can be skewed to a western perspective. The project also gave me the confidence to apply to the University of Oxford, as researching and writing independently, along with my passion for history, helped me to believe I could fit in and excel there.”
Alongside studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computing, Reuben Jepson completed a research-based written report titled ‘Is the government right to make studying maths until the age of 18 compulsory?’ Reuben found that while the policy addresses a genuine national concern, low numeracy levels and their cost to the economy, it faces major barriers to successful implementation, including a national shortage of specialist teachers.
Reuben is continuing his Physics studies at the University of Birmingham and commented on his EPQ: “Completing the Extended Project Qualification has been a transformative experience. It helped me gain confidence and also strengthened my analytical and critical thinking skills.”
Dr Laura Brennan, EPQ coordinator and Geography lecturer at NSCG, said: “Every year, I am impressed by the variety of research projects undertaken by our students alongside their other A-level subjects. Leila, Edward, Shenay and Reuben demonstrated exceptional skills, producing high-quality projects that supported their aspirations to continue their learning journey at university. I am incredibly proud of their achievements.”