Social Sciences

Curriculum Intent

The Social Sciences Department aims to provide a curriculum which:

  • exposes learners to a range of psychological approaches and social issues;
  • allows learners to apply their core numeracy skills;
  • creates opportunities for students to become independent learners and creative problem solvers;
  • nurtures curiosity and develops literacy;
  • enables learners to analyse issues of our contemporary and historical world;
  • develops critical thinking skills that allows students to make a positive contribution to society.

Curriculum Implementation at Key Stage 5:

At Key Stage 5 we offer both A Level Psychology and A level Sociology.

Both A levels run over the course of two years and, as they have no course work, are assessed by sitting three 2-hour external exams.

Our social science curriculum allows students to think critically about the people around them and how we can study and explain their behaviour. Our topics are challenging and sequenced with concepts and processes interleaved to allow maximum student outcomes. Our curriculum evolves in line with social change which allows students to appreciate and delve deeper into the ever-changing world we live in and make those important metacognitive links.

A Level psychology is taught using the AQA A level specification and covers the following topics in year 12: social psychology, memory, attachment, psychopathology, approaches, biopsychology, research methods. And then in year 13 research method is deepened alongside studying issues and debates, relationships, schizophrenia, and aggression.

For A level sociology, we also follow the AQA A level specification. This course looks, in the first year, at education, families, households, theories, and methods. In the second year, theories and method is continued alongside beliefs in society, crime, and deviance.

A level Exam board information

AQA Psychology 7182

AQA Sociology 7192

Extra-Curricular Activities

The social science department runs the following weekly activities:

Psychology essay support sessions:

  • Wednesday during form time (drop-in)

The department also runs a yearly trip to the Bethlem Museum of the mind. The psychologists can also take part in a Psychology challenge with 3 other local schools as well as having the annual opportunity of attending ‘Brain Day’ at Shiplake college.