Social Sciences Team

Our Curriculum Intent

The Social Sciences Faculty aim is for all students to be able to reflect on, evaluate and apply a wide range of theoretical and scientific perspectives to real life contexts. Students will develop a number of transferable skills, for example, methodological research skills, analysis of data, use and evaluation of research evidence and theories to develop arguments. Students will develop an appreciation of diverse experience and will be able to discuss and apply this in both an ethical and cross-cultural framework that respects individual differences.

Psychology Intent 

Psychology enables students to scientifically analyse other people’s behaviour as well as their own and appreciate that all human behaviour is driven by a vast and complex combination of factors. Students will be involved in active debates about the causes of behaviours and behavioural abnormalities (e.g. Schizophrenia) leading to a wider appreciation of how Psychology is applied in everyday life. Students will have the opportunity within their learning to challenge popular misconceptions around mental health issues and develop their understanding of human behaviour. Studying Psychology provides students with a wide range of highly valued skills including critical analysis, independent thinking and research skills which will not only assist any student who chooses to move onto further education but also benefit students who opt to take on the world of work after completing their A-Levels. Students will come to recognise that Psychology is everywhere and applicable to all experiences in life making the study of Psychology invaluable for future progression and careers.    

Sociology Intent

Sociology is a valuable subject to students, as they develop an awareness of how wider society functions around them and how they themselves relate to this. They explore perspectives on inequality and build a conceptual understanding of how and why inequality formulates; for example, within Education and the Criminal Justice System. Students understand how culture shapes the identity they become and that much of what shapes them is socially constructed by the external forces around them. This can be liberating for students, as they begin to observe in their own lives how there are processes and forces at play in shaping their environment. Sociology taps into a range of other subjects across the Curriculum, including Politics, Law, Citizenship and British Values, which again contributes to the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the student.

Health and Social Care Intent

Health and Social Care equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter into one of the many careers available in the health and care sector such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, pre-school carer, infant and lower junior school teacher and residential care worker.  We give literature and guidance on the basics of health and social care – but we link these to up-to-date case studies, and relevant information.  We are pro-active in discussing issues surrounding each element of the given Health and Social Care Criteria which increases knowledge of contemporary issues within the core field.  We advocate the understanding of service user’s needs which supports in building empathy for our students, particularly beneficial for all pathways of future life and career choices.  We cement knowledge, understanding and the employability skills students need to succeed at a higher level of study for now and their future academic pathways as well as in their chosen career.  Students who have experience of research, extended writing and meeting deadlines will be well prepared for Higher Education and beyond.  Discussion is strongly encouraged within classes which develops not only the students’ knowledge but also builds on social skills, listening skills, confidence and empowerment for when putting ideas forward. We value and encourage independent learning through research, which is a necessary transferable skill within the school as well as out in the wider world of higher education and of employment.

EPQ Intent

EPQ will develop and extend a student’s area of interest into an in depth project outside of their normal programme of study. Students will learn the fundamentals of academic research alongside practical skills such as, effective referencing and extended writing. This is a process driven qualification where students will develop and apply skills creatively using their own initiative and enterprise better preparing them for the intellectual rigour required in higher education or employment. Students will become effective independent thinkers with strong analytical and evaluative skills alongside the ability to confidently present their research findings to an audience.

What Will Students Learn In Each Year?

The links below give a detailed breakdown of what is taught in the curriculum for each year.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Health and Social Care

It is planned that care workers will visit the school, which will be another source of valuable first-hand information. Many of the unit assignments involve the students working on case studies of their own choice which helps bring a reality to the set tasks.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Sociology

Sociology is extremely useful for most careers because of the thinking skills it develops. Many sociology students move on into Higher Education, where the subject supports all degrees, but especially those in the media, law and public services, as well as in Sociology itself. Graduate recruiters are particularly interested in employing those with a Sociology background. The specification followed complements other Advanced Level courses, such as Psychology, Law and Health and Social Care. As an academic subject, Sociology also blends well with English and History due to the similar study and essay writing skills employed. Sociology students often choose careers in the public sector, (e.g. teaching and policing), and in the media, as Sociology equips learners with a critical understanding of society.

Sociology is the study of society and students will:

• Examine the nature of contemporary society.
• Examine patterns of behaviour in society.
• Explore ways in which society influences individuals and how individuals influence society.

Psychology

Psychology A Level is a good basis for progression into employment in many fields, particularly those dealing with people.  These include areas such as health, social care, child care, customer service, the police and other emergency services, armed forces, advertising, sales, market research, personnel management and many others. Many Psychology A Level students choose to study Psychology at University, with opportunities for further professional training in clinical, educational, forensic, organisational and counselling Psychology.  Psychology also offers an excellent foundation for Higher Education in biological sciences (in combination with science subjects), Social Sciences, Sports Science, Humanities, Business, Law and Education.  It is particularly useful for those wishing to pursue vocational training in social work, education and child care, nursing, medicine and related areas. Students will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour and it aims to develop:

• Understanding of psychological theories, research, terminology, concepts, approaches, methods and application.
• Skills of critical analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
• Understanding of different areas of psychology, including the core areas of cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology; individual differences and research methods.
• Understanding and skills of how to design and report on Psychological investigations and analyse data.
• Understand ethical issues in psychology, including the ethical implications of psychological research.

Health and Social Care

Single Award and Double Award.

Health and Social Care is a very popular vocational area with a wide range of opportunities for young people who have a caring nature.  There is a huge demand for well qualified care professionals in society and demographic factors indicate that this demand will continue to grow.

Some of these careers are in the following fields:

• Medical – nursing, midwifery, imaging technician, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
• Early Years Education – pre-school carer, nursery carer, infant and lower junior
  school teacher.
• Social Work – residential care worker, community care worker.

Many of our former students have progressed to higher education courses and others have embarked on health and social careers upon leaving the Sixth Form.

Subjects that particularly complement Health and Social Care at Advanced Level are Sociology, Psychology, Human Biology and Sports Studies.

Health and Social Care A Level aims to:

• To equip students with a broad range of relevant skills for care occupations.
• To provide students with work-related learning opportunities in local care settings.
• To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues within the core field.
• To enable students to gain an understanding of client’s needs.

Extended Project Qualification

The EPQ is a unique and exciting course. It is different to other qualifications as it can be about anything the student is interested in. You pick your title and you work to complete your project.  The EPQ is regarded highly by Higher Education institutions as they see it as equipping students with crucial skills such as independent learning and research skills.

Students will produce either:

•  An artefact and report – this could be anything from a musical score to a remote controlled car – with this the students would need to write a 1000 word report.
• A 5000 word written report – this is also on anything the student chooses. It may be based on a hobby or something you wish to study at University.

Aims of the Extended Project Qualification is to develop student’s ability to:      

• Manage their own learning and design an extended project of their choice.
• Develop and improve their own learning and improve their ability to approach coursework and extended writing.
• Apply decision making and problem solving skills.
• Carry out research that is academically rigorous.
• Plan, create and evaluate their findings.
• Be creative and present in front of a wide audience.

Accommodation and Resources

Based in the Sixth Form building, the department benefits from the resources available for A Level students. The department has laptop trollies and frequent outside speakers and visitors to support our GCSE and A Level students with their coursework as well as a network with the University of Kent. As a department we promote group learning and within KS3 Citizenship we facilitate a lot of project based work. 

Extra Curricular Activities

• Youth Speaks 
• Youth Elections for KYCC
• Debate League