Mr Fox launched our inaugural 'Research Fortnight' for Years 7, 8 and 9 in the first two weeks of the Spring Term.

Inaugural Research Fortnight for Years 7, 8 and 9

One of our aims at Heritage is to help pupils become life-long learners who take ownership of their learning and make the most of opportunities to go further. To expand the research opportunities we offer, Mr Fox launched our inaugural ‘Research Fortnight’ for Years 7, 8 and 9 in the first two weeks of the Spring Term.  

In this fortnight every pupil in Years 7, 8 and 9 conducted a research project. Each year group had a slightly different focus, with the three-year aim of providing opportunities to grow in research skills year-on-year. To develop their independence, each year pupils will receive slightly less support. The process of conducting a research project grows many valuable skills that benefit pupils in their learning in other subjects, but also equips them to be life-long learners beyond Heritage School. These skills include: asking good questions, planning a project, gathering information from a variety of sources, analysing the gathered information, drawing conclusions, learning to communicate the findings and then reflecting on how to improve for next time.  

Year 7 pupils worked in groups of two to four to conduct a research project on a topic of their choice. They chose the following research questions:

  • What motivates people to take on extreme sports?
  • What makes an Olympic sport popular and why?
  • Investigating two historical mysteries: To what extent are our theories true?
  • Why did Typhoon Haiyan have such a devastating impact on the region?
  • How do fungi benefit a forest’s ecosystem?

During the Research Fortnight, all of Year 7’s homework time was dedicated towards their projects; each pupil received a booklet guiding them on how to conduct a research project. They had two lessons to collaborate as a group and two lessons to work on their presentation slides. They also had a meeting with their project supervisor. 

At the end, each group delivered their presentations to the class and their project supervisors, Mrs Eastwood, Mr Atkinson and Mr Fox. Each presentation ended with a Q and A, with pupils and staff asking thoughtful and gently probing questions. Pupils received some feedback afterwards and a certificate to celebrate all their hard work.

We hope this fortnight has sparked Senior pupil’s curiosity and excited them to pursue their interests and questions further; we look forward to hearing more about the Year 8 and Year 9 Research Projects in the coming weeks…