An EPQ process for bright teens who think differently.
The Extended Project Qualification is designed to be a space for curiosity, depth, and intellectual independence.
But for many neurodivergent learners, this does not feel possible.
Not because they lack ideas.
Not because they lack ability.
But because the planning, pacing, and organisational demands of the EPQ can overshadow their strengths.
Up To Something Clever provides strength-based EPQ support that helps students engage deeply with their project while meeting academic expectations.
Why the EPQ feels harder than it should
The EPQ is one of the few recognised opportunities in secondary education for independent, interest-driven learning.
Yet many bright, cognitively diverse learners:
Avoid choosing it altogether
Lose confidence partway through
Struggle to sustain momentum
Feel judged on organisation rather than ideas
The qualification itself is not the problem. The support structures around it often are. They are not designed for the way your teen works best.
A different way to approach the EPQ
This programme changes how students access and engage with their EPQ program.
We begin with a strength-based assessment to understand:
Strengths and interests
Preferred ways of working
Best conditions for focus and follow-through
From there, we align the EPQ process with how your student actually thinks and works.
The result is not an easier EPQ. It is a more accessible and more engaging project.
The Extended Project Qualification programme at Up To Something Clever helps diverse learners take on and complete the EPQ in ways that fit how they learn best, so the experience becomes one of curiosity, confidence, and steady progress. Students receive regular check-ins with clear next steps, practical support for planning and organisation, and a simple way to capture their strengths and follow the development of their ideas, making the process manageable without changing the assessment criteria or lowering academic standards.
The program is designed for
Neurodivergent students
Twice-exceptional / dual exceptional learners
Students with strong ideas but uneven planning and organisation
Families who want depth, not just grades
Students who have deep interests beyond the school curriculum
How the EPQ program works
When does the program take place?
Support runs across the full EPQ timeline, from topic selection through to final submission and presentation. Students receive consistent weekly guidance so momentum is maintained.
Where does the program take place?
Sessions take place online in small live groups, with clear communication between student, family, and (where appropriate) school. Planning tools and thinking records are housed in one accessible space.
Where does the program take place?
Sessions take place online in small live groups, with clear communication between student, family, and (where appropriate) school. Planning tools and thinking records are housed in one accessible space.
Students are supported through
An EPQ induction focused on interests and strengths
A clear understanding of how they learn best
Weekly live group sessions to brainstorm and share ideas
Regular check-ins with clear next steps
Practical support for planning and organisation
Predictable checkpoints throughout the process
A structured way to capture strengths and track idea development over time
Families receive
Practical guidance about how the EPQ works and what it requires
A clear picture of your child’s learning profile
Support in seeing how the EPQ can reflect your child’s interests
Guidance on supporting independence without over-managing
For schools
The programme runs alongside existing EPQ provision
It maintains academic rigour and assessment standards
It improves alignment between EPQ expectations and neurodivergent learner profiles
What is the program?
A structured, strength-based EPQ support programme that runs alongside your school’s existing EPQ provision. It does not change assessment criteria. It changes how students are supported to meet them.
When the EPQ fits how your child learns best, structure feels steady, and curiosity comes alive.
If you are considering the EPQ and want to explore whether this approach would be a good fit, join the interest list to hear when the program is open.