Aims and learning outcomes
OCR’s Extended Project will encourage learners to:
• make a significant contribution to the choice and design of an extended project and take responsibility either for an individual task or for a defined task within a group project
• develop and improve their own learning and performance as critical, reflective and independent learners
• develop and apply decision-making and, where appropriate, problem-solving skills
• extend their planning, research, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills
• where appropriate, develop confidence in applying new technologies in their studies
• develop and apply skills creatively, demonstrating initiative and enterprise
• use their learning experiences to support their aspirations for higher education and/or career development
• transfer skills developed as part of their extended project to other areas of study.
What are the key features of this specification?
a specification that encourages creativity, innovation and taking risks
• a freedom of approach which gives learners flexibility and options in how they evidence and present developmental work and final outcome(s)
• that learners develop knowledge and experience of project management
• that learners are able to tailor their project to fit their individual interests, needs, choices and aspirations outside their chosen curriculum area
• that learners are complementing and developing their knowledge, understanding and skills from other subject areas
• straightforward administration for centres with easy-to-use project support material for learners on the OCR website
• flexibility for timetabling around a centre’s core offer
• a flexible delivery programme with two assessment points every year that can fit into a range of different curriculum designs
• clear marking criteria which supports the assessment process
• an excellent range of resources including teaching guides and up-to-date exemplar material
Independent learning
• choose a theme/topic for their project
• set their own aims and objectives
• produce a project plan on how to deliver the intended outcome (s)
• research and analyse information relevant to their project
• choose tools and techniques to develop and realise their project
• develop skills pertinent to the development and realisation of their project
• complete their Project Progression Record (PPR)
• analyse project outcomes and draw conclusions on their project
• present evidenced outcome(s) and evaluate the process of their chosen project
• produce a presentation at the end of their project
Forms of assessment
Learners will be assessed on four areas:
• managing a project
• using resources
• developing and realising a project
• reviewing the project
The project can have a number of different outcomes, including:
• a report, with findings from an investigation or study
• a dissertation (approximately 5000 words)
• an artefact
• a performance or event
Ethical and moral guidelines
Learners should:
• be encouraged to consider ethical implications if work is investigative, involves observation or touches on socially sensitive issues
• consider the ethics of conducting objective research and any issues that may result from making personal judgements or approaching research from a personal bias
• be aware of potential considerations and limitations of professional bodies, food associations, scientific organisations or religious groups
• be advised to conduct investigations only within their range of experience and expertise
• not subject themselves or their participants to any harm or risk either physical or emotional
• avoid deceiving or embarrassing their participants and allow them to withdraw themselves or their data from the project if they wish to do so at any stage
• maintain confidentiality of their participants
• where possible and appropriate, gain consent of any participants in their research, although it is acceptable to observe human behaviour in public areas without having to gain consent. If using film/recording obtain consent of the people involved
• be aware of copyright issues if considering using music/film made by others in a commercial capacity, however this may not always apply
• be advised against collecting primary data if it involves being in potentially dangerous situations
• produce risk assessments and learn/observe safety procedures when using potentially dangerous equipment especially where they are unfamiliar with usage
Assessment Objectives
AO1- Manage: Identify, design, plan and carry out a project, applying a range of skills, strategies and methods to achieve objectives - 20%
AO2- Use resources: Research, critically select, organise and use information, and select and use a range of resources. Analyse data, apply relevantly and demonstrate understanding of any links, connections and complexities within the topic - 20%
AO3- Develop and realise: Select and use a range of skills, including, where appropriate, new technologies and problem solving, to take decisions critically and achieve planned outcomes - 40%
AO4- Review: Evaluate all aspects of the Extended Project, including outcomes in relation to stated objectives and own learning and performance. Select and use a range of communication skills and media to present evidenced project outcomes and conclusions in an appropriate format - 20%
Results and certificates
The Extended Project is graded on the scale: A*, A, B, C, D, E, where A* is the highest. Learners who fail to reach the minimum standard for E will be Unclassified (U).
For an A*: Candidates identify their project and produce an effective design and thorough plan. They carry out their project in a highly organised fashion, showing excellent independent working skills and clear evidence of responding very effectively to guidance given. They use a wide range of resources critically, analyse data effectively and apply findings to good effect. They show clear links between sources of information and the themes of their project, and fully explore the complexities of the topic. Problems and/or issues are identified, fully explored and addressed. Candidates select and use a range of skills, including, where appropriate, new technologies, to achieve high-quality outcomes which fully realise the intentions of the project and to draw conclusions. Candidates carry out full, in-depth evaluations, showing a high level of insight into how they conducted their project and the limitations of the resources at their disposal. They select and use a range of communication skills to present outcomes and conclusions clearly, in an appropriate format with excellent supporting evidence. Candidates show a deep and extensive knowledge of the project area of study through their responses to questions.
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