Social Sciences

Key Stage 3

Students will deepen their understanding of important beliefs, concepts and issues of truth and authority in religion. They apply their understanding of religious and philosophical beliefs, teachings and practices to a range of ultimate questions and ethical issues, with a focus on self-awareness, relationships, rights and responsibilities. Topics studied include the lives of various religious leaders, prayer, expression within religion and prejudice and discrimination.

Key Stage 4

The GCSE full course is offered to all students. Students explore two world religions, Christianity and Islam. They will learn about key beliefs such as the nature of God, creation and life after death. Students will also learn about practices within each religion, such as worship, holy books and festivals.

Students also study a range of contemporary issues, finding out about religious responses to these issues while also forming their own responses to these issues. Topics such as animal rights, crime and punishment and prejudice and discrimination are studied.

Key Stage 5

Religious Studies

Over the two years, students will study a range of topics within philosophy, ethics and religion (Islam). The course is thought-provoking and will challenge students’ minds to think beyond the ordinary and the ultimate questions of life. Some of the questions students will consider includes whether or not God exists, how people make moral decisions, and if there is life after death. Famous philosophies will be questioned and ethical theories deliberated as thinking, reasoning and debating skills will be developed throughout the course. Students will study the AQA specification.

For queries about the Religious Studies curriculum, or to discuss your right to withdraw your child from RS, please contact Miss Aucklah or Mrs Knowlson.

Psychology

Students follow the AQA course for psychology. They study a range of different psychological concepts with links to social, developmental, clinical, and neurobiological psychology. In the first year, students learn about the origins of psychology such as the different approaches that have been dominant within the last century, and how they can be used to explain mental health conditions like OCD, depression and phobias. They also explore why we conform to social pressures, why we obey orders even if they inflict harm on others, and how our the quality of our early relationships influence who we are as adults. In second year, students choose three topics from a range of options, with common choices including schizophrenia, relationships and aggression. There are some elements of biology and maths throughout the course. Students develop critical thinking skills by evaluating the studies and theories, and they learn how to conduct high quality empirical research.

Criminology

Criminology is the study of crime. Students will examine who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, how to prevent them and how the criminal justice system works. Students will also investigate the different techniques used in a criminal investigation such as forensics, policing and the judiciary process. Students will consider the effectiveness of different strategies used to reduce criminality from custodial sentences and the impact of community orders. Throughout the various topics, students will study and apply real life situations and cases to what is being learnt. Criminology draws on concepts from psychology, psychiatry, law, sociology and social anthropology. This course comprises of four units. Unit 1 and Unit 3 are assessed internally through controlled assessment (50%). Unit 2 and Unit 4 are assessed through external exams (50%).

Sociology

Sociology is the study of society. Over the two years, students’ assumptions of how society functions will be challenged and their everyday experiences will be observed with fresh insight. Students will follow the AQA specification and will study a range of contemporary topics including education, families and households, crime and deviance and beliefs in society. The study of each topic is underpinned by a focus on sociological theory, sociological perspectives and methods. The core themes of socialisation, culture, identity, power and stratification and explored through each topic. Students will develop skills valued by higher education and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking, analysis, interpretation and evaluation.

Politics

Students follow the AQA Politics A Level course which consists of three examination units. These equally weighted units include depth studies into UK and US Politics as well as exploring the change in Political Ideas through a breadth study of core concepts such as Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism. Over the course, students will develop an understanding of the structures of differing political systems, as well as the roles and responsibilities of key individuals. Students will explain and analyse key content whilst drawing upon similarities and differences between the UK and US political systems. Students will complete a range of mid length and extended essay question types.

Your rights as a parent

Religious Education is a statutory part of the school curriculum. However, parents have the right to remove their children wholly or partly from any Religious Education or collective Act of Worship. Should a parent wish to exercise this right they must inform the Headteacher of their wishes in writing. The school may offer a meeting to discuss the request to:

• Clarify the curriculum content
• Explore concerns
• Explain possible arrangements

Withdrawal will be implemented within a reasonable timeframe after the request is received. The meeting is optional and not a condition of withdrawal.

Should a pupil be withdrawn, the school is not required to provide an alternative RE curriculum. Parents should provide alternative work to be completed. Students withdrawn from RE will be supervised appropriately. Students who are withdrawn will not be disadvantaged in academic assessment or school opportunities.

If you have any queries regarding our Curriculum please contact us.