Psychology

Entry requirements: GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics
GCSE grade 6 English Language or English Literature or a written subject
GCSE grade 5 in Biology or 55 in Combined Science

Our Vision

The Psychology Department at Presdales School aims to create critical thinkers who are able to apply their psychological knowledge to a range of applications in the wider world.

Students will be supported and challenged to develop a strong skill set to enable them to analyse data, draw conclusions, critically evaluate and apply knowledge to novel scenarios.

Students are encouraged to develop a balanced view of human behaviour, showing empathy and an appreciation of diversity.

Students will be encouraged to be inquisitive about human behaviour; asking questions and engaging in wider reading to support their understanding of the application of psychological knowledge and understanding to the real world.

Our Aim

Provide all students with a worthwhile educational experience through well-designed schemes of work and own experimentation.

To inspire all students to challenge their perceptions and stereotypes of human behaviour.

To ensure all students have the basic knowledge and foundation of the psychological approaches in order to apply them to different aspects of the real world.

Encourage students to develop empathy and understanding of individual differences in specific behaviours such as dyslexia, obedience, prejudice and anorexia.

To use Psychological explanations in current key questions to develop student’s ability to see the purpose of Psychology, and understand its role in benefitting society.

Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and encourage independent study.

Ensure that we maintain high levels of achievement for all.

Entry requirements: GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics
GCSE grade 6 English Language or English Literature or a written subject
GCSE grade 5 in Biology or 55 in Combined Science

Content

The Edexcel Psychology specification offers students the opportunity to gain a thorough introduction to the fascinating study of the human mind and behaviour. Students will study both classical and contemporary research, gaining an appreciation of the scientific research methods used by psychologists and how our understanding of psychology is applied today. Throughout the A level course, students will also develop the skills to analyse, assess and apply their knowledge to novel situations and research studies.

Year 12:
The topics in Year 1 focus on the areas of psychology that have laid the foundations of modern psychological understanding. Students look at four main psychological approaches: social, cognitive, biological and learning theories. The emphasis in Year 1 is on developing a strong understanding of topics, research methods and acquiring skills in evaluation, analysis and application of knowledge.

Year 13:
Year 2 builds on the knowledge acquired in Year 1, incorporating a higher level of understanding of psychological skills, research methods and synoptic analysis. Students will also apply their psychological understanding to the real world, with a focus on Clinical psychology and one other optional topic area.

Assessment

The A level is assessed through 3 external written papers at the end of Year 13:
• Paper 1: Foundations in psychology
• Paper 2: Applications of psychology (Clinical psychology and one optional topic from Criminological psychology, Child psychology and Health psychology)
• Paper 3: Psychological skills

Career Opportunities

A level Psychology lays the foundations for further studies in psychology at degree level and beyond. The skills students gain through studying A level Psychology are also useful to a range of careers such as teaching, law, police, medicine, health, marketing and business.