Oakwood Park 
Grammar School
| Psychology - Key Stage 5
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Psychology is the scientific study of the behaviour of individuals and their mental processes. Why should I choose Psychology? Psychology is a relevant and interesting course to take, particularly if you are thinking of a people-centred career. It is growing rapidly in popularity as it provides students with insights into both their own behaviour and that of the society in which they live. Increasingly, employers see the value of a subject which probably has more transferable skills than any other, including: literacy, numeracy and statistics, interpersonal awareness, problem solving, interpretation, information finding, presentational confidence, critical evaluation and higher order analysis. Psychology students don't come up with traditional common sense, assumed answers about the way people behave; they have more insight into real-life behaviour. It is a 'bridge' between arts subjects, social sciences and sciences and fits in well with further study in many subjects including Sports Studies, History, Sociology, Geography and Natural Sciences amongst others. What will I need to be good at? No prior knowledge of Psychology is required for this course, although you ought to be interested in human behaviour. During the course you will need to be able to communicate effectively and research information from a variety of sources, so an ability to communicate both verbally and in writing would be an advantage. The course will involve carrying out a number of experiments and other pieces of research so it would also be an advantage to have mathematical skills in order to analyse the results, and carry out some simple statistical calculations. It is also important to be up to date on current affairs and to read widely. How will I be taught? At Oakwood Park Grammar School we want you to be involved in developing the subject further. Psychology is an interactive, investigative subject which needs your contribution. There will be many opportunities for discussion during lessons. A wide range of sources of information will be explored, including videos, newspaper and journal articles and the Internet. Many of the topic areas will involve practical investigations and experiments to be carried out. Students will be expected to take notes, complete written homework and carry out background reading on the topics covered in the class. Visits are arranged to conferences, museums and other locations linked to Psychology What can I do with the qualification? There are very few areas of human life and work where Psychology has not got insights to contribute. A Level Psychology is accepted as an entry qualification to a wide range of higher education courses and provides a helpful background for courses as diverse as English, Business Studies and Occupational Therapy. For those that go on to complete a degree in Psychology there are a range of career opportunities. These include the opportunity for professional training as, for instance, a Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist or Occupational Psychologist. Other career areas that Psychology can be useful for include medicine, law, media, business or teaching. Subject content We use the WJEC specification which provides a basis for the study of Psychology and related subjects, including work in the health and care sectors, sports management, media and business studies and has been designed to provide a suitable foundation for the study of Psychology or a related area of study at further or higher education and/or preparation for future employment. Examples of related areas of study in further or higher education can include degrees e.g. in Psychology, education, teaching and or diplomas/certificates in health, care, counselling, and sports studies. All assessment units require the candidate to exhibit essential skills developed through Psychology, i.e. the ability to identify, understand and evaluate key critical concepts and issues from psychological theory and methodology. The structure of the specification draws together different elements of the subject and contributes to the provision of Psychology This specification:
Extension work Students are encouraged to study for the Advanced Extension Award in Psychology Enrichment days and trips Year 13 have an enrichment day on Criminal and Abnormal Psychology.
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at a national level.