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Modernising Your Curriculum From Within

The EPQ and the Quiet Revolution of Project-Based Thinking. A one-day conference for British and British International Schools

Conference – Cranleigh School – Tuesday 7th July 2026

Presented by Dr. Joh Taylor and Andy Homden. 

OVERVIEW

It seems that there has never been more concern about what we should be teaching in our schools. The world is changing so quickly and curriculum reform can hardly keep up. 

Almost unnoticed, however, a ‘quiet revolution’ has been taking place in British curriculum schools around the world, brought about by the Extended Project Qualification. Introduced just over fifteen years ago, the ‘EPQ’ is recognised and valued by both universities and employers as essential preparation both for the world of work and higher education. Its adoption is, interestingly, also spreading to schools outside the British system. 

                                                Externally validated project-based programmes in the UK are now also available for students in Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, making it possible for a school to develop a                                                    coherent Project Based Thinking programme which complements the development of other thinking styles taught in a rigorous, subject based curriculum. 

                                                Once introduced, Project-Based Thinking also has a tendency to affect the way people teach and how a school organises its curriculum in a process of quiet                                                              modernisation.

 

SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOP LEADERS

Dr. John Taylor is Director of Curriculum, Innovation and International Education at Cranleigh Schools. He is one of the architects of the EPQ and has worked in assessment and qualification development with leading awarding organisations, playing an instrumental role in the design of the new iPQ, the FPQ and the HPQ Project-based programmes typically studied by students aged 11 to 16. 

Andy Homden is the CEO of Consilium Education, Editor of International Teacher Magazine and the former Head of leading British International Schools in Asia and the Gulf. A pioneer teacher of the Schools Council History Project, he was greatly influenced by the coursework revolution of the                                                                           1980s and 90s and would like to see students in the 2020s benefitting from a similarly rigorous approach.

CONFERENCE THEMES

John and Andy will be exploring a number of themes that are they regard as essential in a modern curriculum:

  • Why Project-Based Thinking is an essential ‘future skill’ for our students
  • Smart Project Planning and Management: How can project work fit within or alongside other timetabled subjects in Years 5 to 12
  • How can we use projects to promote independent learning in a system which prizes examination success?
  • What are the keys to successful project mentoring?
  • Managing AI and ed tech to support project work: How can we best utilise digital resources to support project work?

PROGRAMME (subject to change)

  1. Opening Keynote: Modernising the curriculum from within

John Taylor looks at the ‘EPQ effect’ and how Project-Based Thinking has the potential to transform learning in our schools. 

  1. Workshops: Implementing Project-Based Thinking

Delegates will be able to choose two of the following four one-hour sessions:

  1. Developing a whole school PBT programme from Year 5 to Year 12

  • Planning a Primary to Secondary Project-Based continuum

  • The new Project-based courses: iPQ (KS2 & KS3); FPQ (KS3) and HPQ (KS4) 

  • Models for timetabling and staffing

  1. Project Skills Development

  • Managing the project process

  • Project planning

  • Supporting creative project work

  • Key points about research

  1. Successful Mentoring

  • Choosing successful Project titles

  • Multi-modal project work

  • Managing and utilising AI

Providing feedback

  1. Empowering learners with PBT skills

  • Effective brainstorming

  • Understanding analysis and synthesis

  • Developing the confidence to ask questions

  • Learning by doing

  1. Networking

As well as the opportunity to talk over lunch and coffee, there will be a session dedicated to small group and 1-1 conversations to facilitate sharing of best practice.

  1. Plenary discussion

Celebrating project-based heroes, led by Andy Homden

  1. Exhibition

There will be an opportunity through the day to view the outstanding work of EPQ candidates from Cranleigh School. 

BOOKING INFORMATION

Ticket prices are £300.00 (plus VAT @ 20% as appropriate) * = £360.00 per person. Tickets can be purchased by completing a booking form here and making a BACs or credit card payment. 

Alternatively, you can also attend virtually at a reduced rate of £150.00 (plus VAT as appropriate) *@ 20% = £180.00 per person

Please note that this course is managed entirely by Cranleigh School; it is not an awarding body training event and no awarding body is responsible for its content, which is subject to change.

For further details please contact our Commercial Manager, Mrs. Michelle Chilcott, on 00-44-1483 542081 or via email: mic@cranleigh.org

To reserve a place at the conference, click here: 

BOOKING FORM

ACCOMMODATION AND FAMILY ACTIVITES

If you require any information about accommodation in the Cranleigh area please get in touch with us directly at mic@cranleigh.org 

Surrey is also a great county for a family visit at the start of the summer holidays! For any recommendations or advice on where to go please do reach out.