We intend for our students to be well-rounded, empathetic, and curious individuals. The social sciences promote tolerance and respect by enlightening students about others’ cultures, customs, and needs. We want our students to think critically about information that is presented to them for example, through the media. The social sciences department promotes inclusivity, ensuring that content is accessible and engaging for anyone who wishes to study it. We have high aspirations for our students, links to further education and career opportunities are made throughout the delivery of the courses.
The Social Sciences Department at Alderbrook School aims to promote a fascination and curiosity about the society we live in, and the people that make up society. We believe that social sciences offer students insight into the ever-increasing complex world in which we live.
Planning in the social sciences department has been carefully considered to ensure that students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum. This is evidenced through the optional topics selected for students in Psychology and Sociology which not only build on previous learning to make them more accessible, yet continue to challenge students in preparation for further education or employment. Links to study at Key Stage 4 are made to support students with the challenge of Key Stage 5, for example accessing prior knowledge of the experimental method in Science. Students are supported, within the social sciences department, to become effective communicators. Opportunities to develop verbal communication skills are actively promoted during lessons and extended writing is a key feature of all externally and internally examined components in social sciences.
The specifications that are delivered within the social sciences department offer students an enjoyable yet challenging insight into the subjects they have chosen to study. The units are well resourced with material available to the students to support them in their independent work.
The Social Sciences Department is made up of a number of experienced teachers:
Psychology is the study of human behaviour. Students will have the opportunity to debate whether Psychology should be considered a science? Whether behaviour is the product of nature or nurture? Whether humans have control over their behaviour? Psychology draws on previous knowledge from Key Stage 4 Science, Maths and History.
Psychology will be assessed through three external examinations at the end of Year 13. See the table below for course content:
|
Paper |
Topics Studied |
Details |
|
Paper 1 – Introductory Topics in Psychology |
· Section A – Social Influence · Section B – Memory · Section C – Attachment · Section D – Psychopathology |
33.3% of overall grade. Assessed through multiple choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions. Students will be assessed on all three assessment objectives: AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Evaluation |
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Paper 2 – Psychology in Context |
· Section A – Approaches · Section B – Biopsychology · Section C – Research Methods* |
33.3% of overall grade. Assessed through multiple choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions. *Research methods accounts, alone, for 25% of students’ overall grade. 10% of that comes from maths based questions. Research methods questions will also feature across all three papers. AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Evaluation |
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Paper 3- Issues and Options in Psychology |
· Section A – Issues and Debates · Section B – OPTIONAL TOPIC – Relationships · Section C – OPTIONAL TOPIC – Schizophrenia · Section D – OPTIONAL TOPIC – Forensic Psychology |
33.3% of overall grade. Assessed through multiple choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions. AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Evaluation |
Psychology creates a sense of wonder in anyone who studies it. Psychology gives you the opportunity to become a more responsible and compassionate individual. You develop the skills to explain human behaviour, apply it to real world examples and evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of these theories. Students have the opportunity to work independently and as a group to conduct practical pieces of research to support their work in the classroom.
Sociology is the study of society and the institutions and people that make up society. Students will have the opportunity to debate whether Sociology should be considered a science? Whether individuals have the power to shape society? Or whether society shapes and controls individuals’ actions? Sociology draws on previous knowledge from Key Stage 4 History, Geography and English.
Sociology will be assessed through three external examinations at the end of Year 13. See the table below for course content:
|
Paper |
Topics Studied |
Details |
|
|
Paper 1 – Education with Theory and Methods |
Questions 1 -4: Education |
Q1: 4 marks Q2: 6 marks Q3: 10 marks Q4: 30 marks |
33.3% of overall grade. *Methods in context requires students to apply their knowledge of methods to the study of the educational context and educational issues. Students will be assessed on all three assessment objectives: AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Analysis and Evaluation |
|
Question 5: Methods in Context* |
Q5: 20 marks |
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Question 6: Theory and Methods |
Q6: 10 marks |
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Paper 2 – Topics in Sociology |
Topic A2: Families and Households |
Q4: 10 marks Q5: 10 marks Q6: 20 marks |
33.3% of overall grade. Students will be assessed on all three assessment objectives: AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Analysis and Evaluation |
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Topic B3: The Media |
Q19: 10 marks Q20: 10 marks Q21: 20 marks |
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Paper 3- Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods |
Q1-4: Crime and Deviance |
Q1: 4 marks Q2: 6 marks Q3: 10 marks Q4: 30 marks |
33.3% of overall grade. Students will be assessed on all three assessment objectives: AO1: Knowledge and Understanding AO2: Application AO3: Analysis and Evaluation |
|
Q5-6: Theory and Methods |
Q5: 10 Q6: 20 marks |
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Sociology promotes critical thinking. By studying Sociology you will become a more informed, analytical and tolerant citizen in the community. You will develop skills of verbal and written communication through classroom debates and extended writing practice. You have the opportunity attempt to explain real world contemporary examples using sociological theory, and then analyse and evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of these explanations.
Criminology is the study of criminal behaviour, institutions within the criminal justice system and the role of individuals and institutions in relation to crime. Students will have the opportunity to debate questions such as how do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance? How do we explain why people commit crime? What happens to those who commit a crime? Why and how do we punish people? What organisations do we have in our society to control criminality?
Criminology is assessed through internally and externally examined components. See the table below for course content:
|
Unit |
Description |
Assessment |
|
Unit 1 – Changing Awareness of Crime |
In Changing Awareness of Crime, learners develop an understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported. Knowing about the wide range of different crimes and the reasons people have for not reporting such crimes provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and the social implications of such crimes and criminality. |
Internally assessed unit 25% of overall grade |
|
Unit 2 – Criminological Theories |
Criminological Theories enables learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1. Learners explore the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance and the theories behind why people commit crime. |
Externally assessed unit. 75 marks Short and extended answer questions. 25% of overall grade |
|
Unit 3 – Crime Scene to Courtroom |
Crime Scene to Courtroom provides learners with an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. They develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases. |
Internally assessed unit 25% of overall grade |
|
Unit 4 – Crime and Punishment |
In Crime and Punishment, learners apply their understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy. |
Externally assessed unit. 75 marks Short and extended answer questions. 25% of overall grade |
Criminology is an exciting course that offers the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of crime and deviance. An understanding of criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, including police officers, probation and prison officers, and social workers. With their critical thinking, analytical and communication skills, criminology students are also attractive to employers outside the criminal justice sector in areas such as social research and politics. The WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology has been designed to provide learners with underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills to progress to further study and training.
The Social Sciences Department are committed to offering extra-curricular opportunities outside of the classroom including trips and visits such as The Freud Museum or Shrewsbury Prison and guest speakers. Intervention will be offered to students in preparation for their external examinations. This will provide students with the opportunity to work closely with their class teachers to ensure they are able to achieve their potential.
Students who study social sciences regularly go on to study the subjects at higher education level. The A Level courses prepare them effectively for this level of study through developing a wide range of skills including: verbal and written communication, effective teamwork and collaboration, independent work including time management, decision-making, problem-solving, use of inferential statistical testing, planning and conducting research, compassion and tolerance.
For further information, please contact Megan Crowther-Green.