Psychology

Remote Learning

Teachers will be setting work for each teaching group on Show My Homework, intended to provide a reasonable curriculum. All work will be set for online submission, with students saving work and using the Submit Work feature on SMHW.

Intent

Psychology students at Barnwell School will be inquisitive and motivated to learn more about the key issues and debates within the study of human behaviour. They will develop a greater sense of ethical issues surrounding the study of human behaviour and in turn develop a greater sense of tolerance and understanding. They will explore how understanding psychology has real world applications and how it is crucial to our everyday life. They will learn to challenge and question the power of social influence, conformity and enhance their understanding of mental health related illnesses making them feel more confident, autonomous and equipped for their future lives.

Learning Journey

Curriculum Map 

GCSE

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. The OCR course allows students to develop an understanding of their self and others and helps them to explain how psychology can be used to explain everyday social phenomena. Furthermore, students are able to investigate how psychological research is conducted and are given opportunities to collect and analyse their own data.

Psychology is a popular subject which often leads to further study at A level. Whilst the GCSE course is not essential for studying the subject at A level it does provide a really good foundation for students who wish to study the subject further. Psychology students go on to a wide variety of careers as not only does the subject provide knowledge for careers within the psychology field itself it also develops transferable skills. A few possible career options include working within the police force, counselling, working within the sport environment, education, personnel and working within the healthcare sector

The course is assessed in two examinations at the end of the second year of study. Both papers are 1 hour 30 minutes long with each being worth 50% of the total GCSE grade. Within each paper a selection of psychological topics and research methods will be covered.

Further details here, and from H.Pritchard@barnwell.herts.sch.uk

A level

Within A level Psychology, knowledge and understanding are developed at a deeper level. This involves studying 20 core studies which enables students to gain a broad perspective of the subject. Then in Year 13 in depth analyses of Mental Health, Criminal Psychology and Environmental Psychology are carried out. This is accompanied by further studies into the techniques used by psychologists to gather data and the opportunities to carry out experiments, observations and self reports to investigate areas of interest within the subject.

The course is assessed in three written exams at the end of the two year course. Paper 1, which counts for 30% of the course, focuses specifically on research methods, Paper 2, which counts for 35% of the course focuses on knowledge and understanding of the core studies and finally Paper 3, which counts for the final 35%, focuses on the option subjects – mental health, criminal psychology and environmental psychology.

Further details here, and from H.Pritchard@barnwell.herts.sch.uk