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Dolphin Project Qualification (DPQ)
The Dolphin Project Qualification is a bespoke programme that places sustained, interdisciplinary enquiry-based learning at the heart of the curriculum. Pupils investigate areas of personal interest while developing essential skills such as research, planning, collaboration, and communication. Projects draw together knowledge and skills from across disciplines, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and reflection.
As pupils progress, the DPQ provides a strong foundation for the community and personal projects within the IB Middle Years Programme, ensuring a seamless transition to the demands of independent enquiry at the top end of the MYP. The emphasis on process, ownership, and reflection prepares pupils for the demands of the modern workplace, while encouraging them to apply their learning thoughtfully within local communities and international contexts.
The teaching methods and assessment framework for our Dolphin Project Qualification have been built around our Core Values and these are explicitly taught during the projects.
Year 6: Environmental Campaigning
Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface, holding 97% of our planet’s water. They drive our climate, capture carbon and provide the atmosphere with oxygen. This project introduces the various ways in which climate change is impacting on the oceans as well as exploring possible mitigating factors and innovations. With the opportunity to investigate one phenomenon in more detail, you will then be tasked to create an awareness-raising campaign to draw greater attention to your chosen area. This will require you to marry your factual, evidence-based understanding with persuasive techniques and technological expertise to inform, convince and galvanise your audience!
Year 7: Dragon's Den
In this project, you will work in teams to respond to respond to an identified 'problem', develop a business concept, conduct market research, create a realistic financial plan, and finally, to pitch your businesses to an audience. Along the way, you will need to be prepared to react dynamically to any feedback that comes in your direction - you may even have to start all over again! You will increase your understanding of key mathematical skills, advertising language, whilst also developing competence in areas of technology, communication, and collaboration.
Year 8: TED talks
In this project, you will devise your own research question, centred around a given theme (e.g. 'Technology' or 'Government'). You will work independently to collect, analyse and evaluate relevant data, before creating an individual response to the initial question, but along the way you need to be prepared to flex your collaborative skills by both responding to and delivering constructive criticism. The ultimate ‘answer’ to your enquiry question will be delivered as a TED talk to an audience of peers and teacher assessors; be prepared for the final challenge of taking unrehearsed questions from your attentive audience!
