KS4: GCSE Psychology
Vision Statement
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and of human behaviour, and aims to explain why people behave in the ways that they do. Keen to understand the influences which affect every individual in each decision that they make, psychology is a subject which explores the many explanations for human actions and reactions. For centuries, Psychologists have aimed to understand historical atrocities such as World War 2 and the Holocaust, as well as the mental health disorders in the modern day.
Psychology is a scientific subject, meaning there are strong links to both understanding and conducting research in the form of experiments and observations, as well as recording and analysing data using mathematical skills.
The department is looking for inquisitive young minds with a keen interest in understanding the workings of the human mind, and the behaviour of themselves and others around them.
Course Outline/Assessment Methods
The course is comprised of 2 papers which will be completed at the end of year 11.
- Memory
- Perception
- Development
- Research methods
- Social influence
- Language, thought and communication
- Brain and neuropsychology
- Psychological problems
Linked Sixth Form Courses:
- Sport
- Sociology
- Business
- Early Years Education
- Health & Social Care
Future Course/ Career Opportunities:
All future careers have a link to psychology, as there are so many fields within psychology examining human and even animal behaviour. Many careers linking to psychology are involved in helping people in some way or another, but they also be about helping businesses to improve their products to serve people better. Careers may include:
- Psychiatry
- Teaching
- Counselling
- Motivational
- Coaching
- Recruitment/ HR
- Police/ Forensics
- User Experience
Departmental Performance:
KS4: GCSE Sociology
Vision Statement
At the Hundred of Hoo Academy, we place great emphasis on offering a broad curriculum that encompasses the academic and the social development of our pupils.
Sociology is a subject that develops both the academic and social understanding of those that study it. Sociology is described as ‘the scientific study of human group behaviour’: it is the study of the social part of us, and the patterns of interaction with other people which is necessary to our very existence. We all participate in any number of social groups, many of which overlap. and ‘the application of scientific methods of inquiry to the puzzles of social life’.
Sociologists study how and why these groups interact with each other and how the interactions affect their members. Such analyses not only gives a clearer understanding of society and all of its components, but also allow sociologists to see both the causes and the possible solutions for our social problems.
The department is looking for inquisitive young minds with a keen interest in understanding how society works and both accepting and debating the views of others regarding how and why we interact within the varying societies around the world.
Course Outline/Assessment Methods
The course is comprised of 2 components, both of which must be completed. Both components will be examined through two external examinations.
- Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission
- Families
- Education
- Research Methods
- Social differentiation and stratification
- Crime and Deviance
- Applied methods of sociological enquiry
Skills for Success:
- Knowledge retention skills
- Critical analysis
- Evaluation
- The ability to apply external knowledge to sociological concepts
Future Course/ Career Opportunities:
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Anthropologist
- Politics
- Researcher
- Social services
- Criminal justice
Departmental Performance:
- 2022/23: 9-4 = 40%
- 2021/22: 9-4 = 57%
- 2020/21: 9-4 = 94%
KS5: BTEC Criminology
Removed from 2025/26 Curriculum
Vision Statement
The Social Sciences department at the Hundred of Hoo Academy is proud to offer a curriculum which allows students to develop not only their academic skills, but also their personal and social understanding of the world around them.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to criminal justice and to give a context for humanities learning. Within the Changing Awareness of Crime unit, students will be guided to consider how not all types of crime are alike. Therefore, what different types of crime take place in our society? What kinds of crime exist about which we know very little, or which are simply not reported to the police and the media? Within the Criminological Theories unit, pupils question 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? The Crime Scene to Courtroom unit interrogates the process of conducting criminal investigations right through to a criminal trial. Finally, the Crime and Punishment unit develops skills in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the process of social control in delivering policy in practice, technologies in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures.
Course Outline/Assessment Methods
Criminology is an A Level only course that covers a range of topics and has two examined units as well as two Controlled Assessment units.
8 hour internal controlled assessment
The purpose of this unit is for learners to plan campaigns for change relating to crime.
1 hour 30 mins external exam
The purpose of this unit is for learners to examine how criminological theories and campaigns are used to set policy.
8 hour internal controlled assessment
Through this unit, learners will examine and review the use of evidence as a way of gaining justice through verdicts in criminal cases.
1 hour 30 mins external exam
In this unit, learners will examine punishment and theories which underpin it.
Skills for Success:
- Independent working skills
- Knowledge of crime
- Critical analysis of theories
- An ability to apply learning to real life criminal contexts and examples
- Problem-solving
- The skills of project based research, development and presentation
Future Course/ Career Opportunities:
- Legal profession
- Uniformed services
- Forensics
- International Aid, development worker, social researcher
- Community development worker
- Further education lecturer
- Social worker
- Youth worker
Criminology works well alongside biology, chemistry, sociology and/or psychology, but can be studied in its own.
Departmental Performance:
- 2022/23: A*-C = 57%
- 2021/22: A*-E = 94%
KS5: A Level Psychology
Vision Statement
The Social Sciences department at the Hundred of Hoo Academy is proud to offer a curriculum which allows students to develop not only their academic skills, but also their personal and social understanding of the world around them.
Psychology has a responsibility to enable individuals to understand the mind, brain and behaviour of others. Within the Hundred of Hoo Academy, Psychology lessons encourage students to go beyond their immediate experience of passive living and analyse the behaviour of others around them. Psychology creates critical thinkers. Students develop the skills to evaluate their own views, in light of evidence provided to them through theories and studies. They are challenged to develop an independent approach to thought and inquiry that is transferable to any discipline or situation. Psychology empowers students to open their eyes to the world and challenge ideas in a safe and relaxed environment, and to develop confidence in making judgements of others. At the Hundred of Hoo Academy, teachers of Psychology encourage excellent academic progress, in addition to personal growth.
Psychology is not only a fascinating subject, but it is also a challenging A-Level which is now classified as a Science A-Level. As such, students will additionally be assessed on their mathematical skills, and scientific research methods are taught throughout the course, with an opportunity for students to plan and carry out their own research at the end of year 12. The Psychology A-Level is examined at the end of Year 13 through three written examination papers.
Course Outline/Assessment Methods
Written examination, 2 hours
- Social Influence
- Memory
- Attachment
- Psychopathology
Written examination, 2 hours
- Approaches in Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Research Methods
Written examination, 2 hours
- Issues and Debates
- Option 1: Relationships or Gender
- Option 2: Stress or Schizophrenia
- Option 3: Addiction
Skills for Success:
- Analytical thinking
- Improved communication
- Problem-solving
- Planning and conducting scientific investigations
Future Course/ Career Opportunities:
- Legal profession
- Academic/Education
- Psychologist
- Human Resources
- Forensic Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
- Nursing
Psychology works well alongside many of our options, but especially well with Sociology, Criminology, Biology, History and Health and Social Care
Departmental Performance:
- 2023/24: A*-C = 53.8%
KS5: A Level Sociology
Vision Statement
The Social Sciences department at the Hundred of Hoo Academy is proud to offer a curriculum which allows students to develop not only their academic skills, but also their personal and social understanding of the world around them.
Sociology is the study of the social part of us, the pattern of interaction with other people which is necessary to our very existence. We all participate in any number of social groups, many of which overlap. Sociologists study how and why these groups interact with each other and how the interactions affect their members. Such analyses not only yields a clearer understanding of society and its components, but also allow sociologists to see both the causes and the possible remedies for our social problems.
Sociology has been described as ‘the scientific study of human group behaviour’ and ‘the application of scientific methods of inquiry to the puzzles of social life’, whilst others believe that we are too complex and the impacts of our thoughts, feelings and emotions are too impactful for us to be studied in the same ways as science. Although the A-Level is Sociology does not sit alongside other Science A-Levels, it is essential that students of the subject have inquisitive minds with a keen interest in how society works and the view of others regarding how and why we interact within it.
Course Outline/Assessment Methods
Written examination, 2 hours
- The role and functions of the education system and how it impacts on different social groups.
- How sociologists conduct their studies and the positive and negative aspects of different types of research.
Written examination, 2 hours
- Families and households: the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change.
- Beliefs in society: the relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations.
Written examination, 2 hours
- Explanations of crime, deviance and social order, the social distribution of crime and how it is surveyed by the government.
- How sociologists conduct their studies and the positive and negative aspects of different types of research. How these directly impact on the study of crime.
Skills for Success:
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of social situations
- Applying sociological theory to society’s organisations
- Researching, judging and evaluating complex information
- Making reasoned arguments
- Knowledge and understanding of research methods, analysis and statistical techniques
Future Course/ Career Opportunities:
- Legal profession
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Community Development Worker
- Further Education Lecturer
- Social Researcher
- Social Worker
Departmental Performance:
- 2023/24: A*-C = 45.5%
- 2022/23: 75% = A*-D
- 2021/22: 89% = A*-D
- 2020/21: 95% = A*-D
- 2019/20: 77% = A*-D