See our Psychology & Sociology Curriculum below at Bentley Wood for KS4 and KS5
Examining Board: Edexcel
Aim of Course:
This course builds on young people’s understanding of other people and themselves, in particular the answers to the following questions which they face across their academic studies; why do we forget certain information? Why can my friend remember more than I can? Why does my teacher always look me in the eye when talking to me? Why are people treated differently? Why do I get more moody than my friends?
Course Content:
Unit 1:
Unit 2:
Topics 6 to 10 are optional; students must study two of them. Topic 11 is compulsory.
Method of Assessment:
There is no coursework for GCSE Psychology hence the exams are worth 100% of your total GCSE grade.
Key Stage 5 Progression/ Career Prospects A Level Psychology is also offered at Bentley Wood High School. Careers pursued by students of Psychology are varied and include such things as:
Recommended Reading:
Enrichment Opportunities:
Revision Guides
A Revision guide including strategies for effective revision are provided by the Psychology Department for all students in GCSE Psychology, outlining the necessary guidance of knowledge, skill and exam information, required to excel and succeed in GCSE Psychology.
Is Psychology the subject for you?
Yes, if you are interested in studying and researching human behaviour such as memory, obedience, prejudice and attachment. If you enjoy thinking critically about ideas that you are presented with and carrying out your own practical investigations. If you are interested in developing a range of transferable skills such as essay writing, presentation skills and data analysis.
Course content
Methods of study
A range of methods of study are used including group work, discussions, presentations, peer teaching and independent study. You will be expected to take an active part in lessons as well as complete regular homework and assessment activities.
How will it be examined?
AS qualification will not count towards the final grade of an A Level and be a separate qualification in its own right (Linear).
Career opportunities
Studying Psychology provides an excellent grounding for numerous careers including human resources, advertising, law and social work. It is viewed favourably by employers as employees who have studied Psychology have a range of transferable skills such as the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, work in a team and analyse information (both written and numerical) as well as have a greater understanding of human behaviour.
Most universities offer a range of Psychology degrees, both single and joint honours. Most Psychology degrees will have similar content in the first year and then allow students to specialise in later years. In order to qualify as a Psychologist, you will need to undertake further postgraduate study to Masters or PhD level. You can find out more information about careers in Psychology by looking at the British Psychological Society website – www.bps.org.uk.
Is Sociology the subject for you?
Yes, if you are interested in studying and researching how society works? Why does society treat you differently because of your gender; class; culture? Is everyone able to access education freely? Why is crime and deviance on the increase in certain areas?
Students study three units in total. At AS level students focus on studying education, families and households and research methods. Students address questions such as ‘does belonging to a different social class/ethnicity affect your right to education?” “Why does birth rate change across different social groups?” and “what are the strengths and weaknesses of interviewing or using questionnaires?”.
At A’ level students’ study three further topics; beliefs in society – where they look at the relationship between different social groups and religious organisations/movements; crime and deviance – this involves looking at theories of crime and the social distribution of crime according to age, gender, ethnicity and social class and they also explore sociological theory and key debates such as ‘is sociology a science?’
AS Sociology will be examined by two papers at the end of the AS year. A’ level sociology will be examined by three papers at the end of the two year course.
A range of methods of study are used including group work, discussions, research projects, presentations, peer teaching and independent study. You will be expected to take an active part in lessons as well as complete regular homework and assessment activities.
Studying Sociology provides an excellent grounding for numerous careers including research, human resources, advertising, law and roles within the criminal justice system, civil service and social work. Most universities offer a range of Sociology degrees, both single and joint honours. Sociology degrees tend to have similar content in the first year and then allow students to specialise in later years.
