Psychology
Overview of the Psychology Department
We believe in the importance of psychology at Post 16. It can make a powerful impact on students’ lives by giving them insight and understanding of their own and others’ behaviour. As a science it is also rich with both theory and empirical evidence. We are keen to teach students that psychology is underpinned by the scientific method and that developing research skills is key to them becoming good psychologists. It is also an applied subject and our aim is to enable students to understand and evaluate how psychological theory is turned into treatment and practice in the real world.
Meet the Psychology teachers
| Name | Role | About them |
| Mrs Y Elmi | Lead Practitioner for Science / ITT Coordinator |
Mrs Elmi is an experienced Science teacher who has worked at the Academy since 2016. She has a Biomedical Science degree and she is also lead of our trainee secondary teachers at the Academy. |
| Ms A Foster | Teacher of RS and Social Sciences | Ms A. Foster is a Philosophy specialist who has taught Religion, Philosophy and Ethics for over a decade. She also has a background in teaching Psychology and Sociology at 6th form and is keenly interested in the intersection of Social Studies subjects. She joined Crayford in September 2020 |
| Ms E Orotayo | Head of Social Science | Ms Orotayo began working at the Academy in 2019. She is a graduate of Criminology and is keen on ensuring students have plenty of opportunities to develop their oracy skills through interesting, thought-provoking debates and discussions around society and the interactions we have with institutions and organisations. As Head of Social Science, she teaches Psychology, Sociology and Criminology |
Curriculum Statement
Learning Psychology encourages students to become curious about the range of factors which influence our behaviours e.g. the structure of the brain, parenting or past traumatic experiences. Students will understand how a range of mental disorders are created e.g. phobias and Schizophrenia, the effect these have on the individual and appropriate treatments for them. They will explore the reasons why individuals become complicit in horrific incidents in the 20th century such as the Holocaust; how such evil can be committed and to reflect on whether these causes are biological or whether social pressures compel people to do such things. Ultimately, it is hoped that students will be able to evaluate a range of social-biological-cognitive explanations for all types of behaviour and to draw conclusions about behaviours based on a forensic evaluation of research in order to conclude which approaches they view as being the most useful. Students will therefore be able to analyse the world and individuals around them in new ways, incorporating a myriad of approaches and asking questions about the nature of human agency.
The study of Psychology should introduce students to the science of studying individuals in order to broaden their understanding of human behaviours and the reasons for them. Students will become critical thinkers, engaged with academic literature which develops their cultural and academic capital in order to participate fully in society. Promoting academic success is crucial to the study of Psychology to broaden student horizons and opportunities in their future careers.
In order to be able to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in Psychology and to fully access the course, students need to have been taught, and to have acquired competence in, the appropriate areas of mathematics. Overall, at least 10% of the marks in assessments for Psychology will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of AS and A-level Psychology and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE mathematics. Therefore, in order to take part and study the course, we are asking that students have achieved no less than a grade 6 in GCSE mathematics.
View our Psychology Curriculum Map
What qualifications can be gained?
From studying this course, students will gain a full A Level Psychology qualification.
How does Psychology prepare students for the next stage of their education or employment?
Psychology offers a vast range of job opportunities for our young people. As well as taking you’re A Level to degree level, careers can also be found in:
- Clinical psychologist
- Counselling psychologist
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Further education teacher
- Health psychologist
- High intensity therapist
- Occupational psychologist
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner
- Sport and exercise psychologist
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Advice worker
- Border Force officer
- Careers adviser
- Chaplain
- Counsellor
- Detective
- Education consultant
- Human resources officer
- Life coach
- Market researcher
- Mediator
- Neuroscientist
- Play therapist
- Policy officer
- Psychotherapist
- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
More Information
More information about our curriculum can be found by looking at our curriculum overviews
