Psychology
As of September 2006, the government have decided that Psychology is now a Science, giving it the same standing as Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
The aims of the Department are twofold:
- To ensure that all pupils receive a rounded education in Psychology; so that they achieve excellent examination grades, but also learn beyond the set curriculum and are able to apply their knowledge to everyday life.
- To encourage pupils to be accepting of and empathetic towards people who are different to themselves and who may have had a different life experience. To be understanding of cultural diversity and how factors beyond an individual's control may influence their behaviour.
The Department is located in the Skidelsky Sixth form centre. This building is extremely well equipped and located as an annexe to the main site solely for the teaching of the Social Sciences to the Sixth form - Psychology, Business Studies, Economics and Government & Politics.
The Psychology Department has two dedicated teaching classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. The overall atmosphere of this centre is one of focused endeavour in a highly academic yet very pleasant and comfortable environment.
Psychology is only taught in the sixth form as an AS / A2 option. We follow the AQA Examination Board, specification `A` and we have opted for the modular approach, with the AS examinations being taken in January and in May of the Lower Sixth year and the A2 examinations taken in January and June of the Upper Sixth year.
Psychology is a useful addition to many pupils' A level portfolio. It requires both essay writing skills and the evaluation of scientific evidence, including the analysis of statistical data.
The majority of employers value a thoughtful insightful workforce and Psychology at this level encourages pupils to not only criticise established explanations for behaviour/motivation but suggest their own ideas at every juncture. On a more mundane level it is becoming increasingly evident that Psychology not only provides access to a vast array of courses and employment opportunities but also keeps open more doors than it shuts by virtue of its holistic nature and all round applicability.