Psychology

Psychology is a relatively new discipline and overlaps with many areas of Biology and Medicine, focusing on the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

Psychologists observe and conduct experiments to investigate how people think, feel, act and interact. We study how these findings are then applied in fields including mental health, forensics, education, business, research and sport. Advances in neuroimaging techniques, for example, are enabling neuropsychologists to answer questions about the nature of consciousness, perception and the emotions.

Understanding these questions and the emerging answers to them allows us to go some way towards appreciating the complexities of the human mind, which is often thought of as the ultimate unexplored frontier.

Studying Psychology gives pupils the opportunity to develop skills of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and perception and teaches them how to apply those skills effectively. As such, it is a subject which is well received by both universities and employers.

In lessons we offer an exciting mixture of debate, discussion, lectures, group work and practical work. Throughout the year, the Department runs a Psychology Lecture Series open to all Year Groups, inviting speakers from different disciplines in Psychology including Forensic, Clinical and Occupational. In the Autumn Term, there is an annual Psychology Essay Competition, where previous topics have included dreaming, nature vs. nurture and video game violence.

GCSE

Pupils complete the curriculum for the AQA GCSE in Years 10-11, receiving a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of psychology, developing critical analysis, independent thinking and research skills. Pupils will learn about the latest advances in the subject, through independent work, group work and whole class experiments.

Topics include Memory, Perception, Development, Social Influence, Language, Neuropsychology and Psychological Problems. Pupils in Year 10 take part in an interactive Experience Psychology workshop at We the Curious, learning about visual illusions and the placebo effect.

A Level

Our A Level Psychology course suits those with a curious and critical mind.

At A Level, we follow the AQA Psychology syllabus. This new linear course was designed in consultation with the British Psychology Society and suits those with a curious and critical mind. A Level Psychology can provide an engaging and holistic introduction to Psychology which will appeal to a cross-section of pupils, regardless of whether they have studied Psychology before. That said, the A Level builds on the foundations learnt in GCSE Psychology or the skills developed in the Sciences and Humanities. Pupils will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.

Lower Sixth pupils enter the annual Badminton and Benenden Research Competition, in which they conduct a piece of psychological research and present their findings in the form of a poster presentation. Previous topics have included conformity, prosocial behaviour and memory. This competition is open to numerous schools and is judged by final year undergraduates from the University of Bath.

Psychology A Level enables progression into a wide range of other subjects. Pupils may go on to study Law, Medicine, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Veterinary Science, Social Work, Zoology, Mathematics, Sociology, Criminology and Business.