Our Vision for Psychology at HEA
At Huish Episcopi, our Psychology curriculum helps students better understand themselves, others, and the world around them. It encourages curiosity, builds confidence, and supports students in becoming thoughtful, ambitious young people.
Students learn about how people think, feel, and behave through a well-structured course that covers key psychological ideas and research. They also develop important skills in analysing data and writing clearly—skills that are useful in many careers and areas of life.
Our teaching is tailored to support every student, helping them reach their full potential. The course connects with students’ everyday experiences and prepares them to make informed choices about their futures.
We also focus on values like resilience, respect, and ambition. By linking Psychology to real-world issues, we aim to help students grow into empathetic, capable individuals who can make a positive difference in society.
Key Themes and Concepts
| Research Methods | How Psychologists gather information, how to analyse and interpret data and the evaluation of each method or research. |
| Evaluation | Understanding that all theories and studies in Psychology are open to discussion about the strengths and limitations of the ideas and methodologies used |
| Approaches | Understanding that Psychology has different ways of analysing and interpreting behaviours: biological, learning, behavioural, social learning, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanist approaches are studied in increasing depth from Key Stage 4 through to A Level. |
| Issues and Debates | Alongside approaches, there are sometimes differences in opinion on the causes of or explanations for behaviours: Nature vs. Nurture, Free will and Determinism, Reductionism vs. Holism, and Individual Differences vs. Normative. |
Curriculum Overview
Year 10
| Year 10 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Memory and Research Methods Students are introduced to how research is done in Psychology whilst also learning their first topic of memory. Theories of how memory works, studies that support the theories and ideas about issues that can affect memory. |
| Autumn 2 | |
| Spring 1 |
Perception Students learn about how sensation and perception are different processes. They are introduced to the ‘nature and nurture’ debate through exploring theories about whether we are born able to perceive or learn how to interpret the world around us. |
| Spring 2 |
Development In this topic, students learn about Piaget’s theory of cognitive development alongside major studies that either support or oppose the theory. They also learn about other factors affecting learning, such as Mindset theory and the difference between science and pseudo-science. |
| Summer 1 | In the final term, students will review their learning of Paper One topics (all the above) and make a start on Social Influence. In this topic, students learn about theories of why humans engage in anti-social and pro-social behaviour. |
| Summer 2 | |
Year 11
| Year 11 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Social Influence Students will continue to learn about theories of why humans engage in anti-social and pro-social behaviour. |
| Autumn 2 |
Brain and Neuropsychology Students learn about the different regions and functions of the brain, the workings of the autonomic nervous system and influential studies and techniques that have helped develop our understanding of the brain and its connection to behaviours. |
| Spring 1 |
Psychological Problems Students learn about the problems of identifying and labeling psychological problems, explanations for the growth in mental ill health in the west and different therapeutic approaches towards depression and addiction. |
| Spring 2 |
Thought Language and Communication In the final topic, students explore the debate about which comes first; thought or language? They also explore the difference between animal and human communication and theories about whether body language is learned or and adapted behaviour from evolution. |
| Summer 1 | Revision and examinations. |
| Summer 2 | |
Year 12
| Year 12 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Research Methods: An introduction to Psychology as a science In this topic, students learn about the different ways psychologists try to understand human behaviour: Behaviourist, Social Learning Theory, Cognitive, Psychodynamic and Humanistic approaches. Each approach offers a unique perspective on why people think, feel, and act the way they do. |
| Autumn 2 |
Social Influence Students learn how people’s behaviour is influenced by others – whether it’s following rules, going along with a group, or standing up to authority. Memory Students learn how our memory works – how we take in information, store it, and recall it later. It helps them understand why we remember some things and forget others. |
| Spring 1 | |
| Spring 2 |
Attachment Students explore the special emotional bond between a baby and their main caregiver. Psychopathology In this part of the course, students learn about mental health and mental illness. They explore how psychologists understand, explain, and treat different psychological disorders. |
| Summer 1 | |
| Summer 2 |
Biopsychology (part of approaches in psychology). In this topic, students learn how biology and the brain influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. |
Year 13
| Year 13 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Research Methods A more detailed investigation into the science of Psychology including the use of inferential statistical tests. Biopsychology In Year 13, students build on what they learned in Year 12 by exploring more advanced ideas about how the brain and body influence behaviour. |
| Autumn 2 |
Schizophrenia A focused study on one psychological disorder, students investigate different explanations for the condition and evaluate various forms of treatments. |
| Spring 1 |
Aggression In this topic, students explore why people behave aggressively and what factors might cause or influence aggressive behaviour. |
| Spring 2 |
Gender Students explore how we develop our understanding of gender and what influences our gender identity and roles. |
| Summer 1 | Revision and examinations. |
| Summer 2 | |
Assessment
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Year 10 | Memory and Research Methods – End of Topic Tests and Exam Papers | Perception – End of Topic Tests and Exam Paper |
Development - End of Topic Tests and Exam Papers Summer Mock Exam (Paper 1 - all topics) |
| Year 11 |
Social Influence - End of Topic Tests November Mock – Paper 1 plus Social Influence |
Brain and Neuro Psychology - End of Topic Tests Language Thought and Communication - End of Topic Tests March Mock Exam – All topics (except Language Thought and Communication) |
GCSE Exams |
| Year 12 |
Mid-Topic and End of Topic Assessments:
|
Mid-Topic and End of Topic Assessments:
|
Mid-Topic and End of Topic Assessments:
Summer Exams – all topics |
| Year 13 |
Mid-Topic and End of Topic assessments:
November Mocks: Paper 1 and 2 |
Mid-Topic and End of Topic assessments:
March Mocks Paper: 1,2 +3 |
A Level Exams |
Exam Board Link(s)
Extracurricular Opportunities
Whilst trips, visiting speakers and club opportunities can vary – Psychology has been engaged in:
- Trips to Shepton Mallet Prison – Social Influence (conformity and Obedience)
- Brain Day – A renowned Neuroscientist exploring in-depth the latest developments in neuroscience and the implications for Psychology and Philosophy.
- Trips to Universities, including a Psychology day at Royal Holloway University
- Psy Soc – Sixth Form students and KS4 students exploring issues / debates and current research in the field of Psychology.
Careers
Where can Psychology qualifications take you?
- Clinical Psychology and Therapy
- Counsellor
- Data Scientist
- Family Support Worker
- Life Coach
Learning Beyond the Curriculum
Podcasts, Videos, and Courses
- PsychCrunch Podcast - The official podcast of the British Psychological Society summarising and discussing recent research and issues in Psychology.
- The British Psychological Society - The professional association for Psychologists with links to research.
- TED Talks: Pyschology - Hear from internationally recognised researchers sharing their ideas and insights related to Psychology.
- Psych Boost Youtube Channel – Summarising the whole GCSE and A Level course.
- Crash Course Psychology – Funny, engaging but accurate courses on Psychology all the way to undergraduate level.
Books
- The Psychology Book by DK
- Opening Skinner's Box by Lauren Slater
- 50 Psychology Ideas You Really Need to Know by Adrian Funrham
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
- The Human Mind by Robert Winston
- Brain Rules by John Medina
