Independent Research, Impressive Results at Sherborne Prep
Sherborne Prep was busy this week with one of the highlights of their academic school year. The Sherborne Project Qualification (SPQ) exhibition took place on Friday 5 June with Year 8 pupils showcasing their impressive research projects in front of parents, staff, governors and visiting representatives from their senior schools.
The SPQ is an extended independent research project; each pupil chooses a topic of genuine personal interest and pursues it, supported by a mentor but largely under their own steam, over several weeks. This year’s pupils chose topics to research such as Gene editing and the ethical dilemmas behind it, ADHD and why so many girls are misdiagnosed, and Involuntary Musical Imagery: the science behind earworms.
At Friday’s exhibition the pupils proudly presented their work to the gathered audience. Annie Gent, Head of Sherborne Prep said “The SPQ and resulting exhibition is one of the most demanding things we ask of our Year 8s and is an important milestone in their final year experience. It helps them develop key learning skills such as communication, collaboration, independence and critical thinking. It is also one of the most rewarding initiatives we have ever pioneered for our senior Sherborne Prep pupils.”
The SPQ was introduced by Senior Deputy Head Briony Harris, who highlighted the impact the project has on pupils’ personal development as well as their academic achievements. “What strikes me, every year, is not just the quality of the pupils’ work, though that is often extraordinary, but the transformation in the pupils themselves. The child who started the project uncertain of their topic, tentative about their ability, is rarely the same child who presents it three months later.”
Jack M, who exhibited his project entitled ‘The history and hydrodynamics of wing foiling’, expressed that he was extremely proud of himself for rising to the challenge of researching a topic, in such depth, as well as developing his creative piece to showcase the progression and findings of his work.
Most of our Year 8 pupils will be moving up to Sherborne Girls and Sherborne Boys in September, as they continue their journey through the Sherborne Schools.
Simon Heard, Head of Sherborne Boys said:
I was genuinely impressed by the standard of today’s presentations and research projects – these relatively young pupils were able to hold a room and take genuine ownership of their learning. It is fantastic to see Sherborne Prep leading the way in how best to stretch and support Year 8 pupils helping them develop authentic intellectual curiosity, along with valuable research and public presentation skills.