The Psychology department is now in its fifth year of existence
and provides members of the sixth form the chance to enjoy a new
and intellectually stimulating challenge at A level. We use a
variety of modern and traditional teaching approaches, with a
sustained focus on allowing pupils to experience and conduct "hands
on" practical work. This plus the wide variety of stimulus
materials in use, including ICT, films and our own
internally-produced workbooks, should help nurture a scientifically
inquisitive mind.
It is not necessary for candidates to have studied GCSE
Psychology before commencing this AS/A2 course. The course places
no greater focus on either artistic or scientific skills; although
scientific concepts are covered, the major form of assessment comes
in pieces of extended writing, requiring an ability to write
clearly and coherently. This makes the course accessible to almost
anyone who has an interest in the subject, regardless of previous
background.
Both the AS and A2 courses are separated into two modules, which
are examined in January and June. There is no coursework element in
the AQA 'B' syllabus. We believe that the course offers students a
fundamental understanding of psychological theory, concepts and
contemporary and historical research as well as a critical
appreciation of the scientific nature of the discipline in
explaining human behaviour. A significant number of students have
gone on to study the subject further at university, indicating the
popularity of the subject amongst those who take it.
Results from the third A2 cohort in summer 2011 saw nearly a
quarter of students outperform their target grades, and with record
AS level results as well, it looks likely that this success will
continue.
Enrichment
The Psychology department prides itself on placing a strong
emphasis on curriculum enrichment opportunities. We have a range of
extension material available for each topic, ranging from podcast
downloads to research papers, which are used to interest and
challenge the brightest students.
We enter students into national essay competitions, with two
students high commended in the 2009 Cambridge University Schools
Psychology Essay prize; and we attend evening lecture series in the
local area. We also run a Psychology Film Club, which meets
periodically to watch Hollywood's finest grapple with psychological
themes and eat pizza!
We firmly believe that Psychology should be a practical rather
than simply theoretical subject, and great emphasis is placed on
providing the boys with hands-on experimental experience. The
department has links to educational psychology departments, which
can result in being able to assist or even to help design research
projects. These projects allow students valuable experiences of
conducting research, with all of the inherent difficulties and
frustrations that can bring! A recent project that was done by a
Year 13 class on lying was featured in the Times Educational
Supplement newspaper. In addition, two students were able to
present their results to the North-West Conference of Educational
Psychology in December 2009, giving an assured and intelligent
interpretation of their results in the face of a room full of
professionals.
An inaugural trip to Poland and the Auschwitz concentration
camp, organised by the department, ran with great success in 2010,
proving a fascinating and thought-provoking experience for the 44
students and 5 staff involved. We will return in 2012, for which
plans are already afoot.
Head of Department
M H Hobbiss BA, MA
Members of the Department
J Sanders BA, J Radcliffe BA