From Quantum Computing to Dystopian Literature

Published on isbi School News dated Wednesday 22nd of January 2014

They say that you can tell a person is clever by the answers that they give but that you can tell a person is wise by the questions that they ask. If that is true, then there are some wise students indeed at St Benedict's School, Ealing after the announcement of the latest results for the Extended Project Qualification. Seb Strug, John Boyle and Head Boy Joe Curran secured A* grades with Head Girl Karina Walker and Rhavine Chandrapala gaining A's. Even more impressive is the realisation that the students took the EPQ as an additional A Level and did the entire thing off timetable with the support of Mrs Greenhough, Head of EPQ and Miss Plant, Lead Supervisor for EPQ.

The students selected their own topics for research and their own questions, which were wide-ranging.

Seb Strug: Quantum computing as a solution to problems that computers face.

Joe Curran: The impact of DNA sequencing on our understanding of eukaryotic cells

John Boyle: Atrocities committed in Italy under Napoleon
Karina Walker: The extent to which maternal roles are undervalued by Government in dystopian literature

Rhavine Chandrapala: The role of female characters in American literature from 1918 to 1960.

Seb Strug secured a perfect score of 50 out of 50 marks for his work, an unprecedented achievement. 'The EPQ was one of the hardest academic challenges that I have ever faced but it has also been the most rewarding. It has confirmed that I wish to pursue an academic career. Quantum computing would be a brilliant invention that would revolutionise our society. The only difficulty is that we don't yet know if we can achieve it!'

Mrs Greenhough added: 'We are proud of the achievements of this cohort. They are a testament to their hard work, commitment and dedication to their studies. Leading the EPQ has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career and we are looking forward, as a school, to increasing the number of students that are able to take this opportunity.'