Our Vision for Criminology at HEA
At Huish Episcopi, our Criminology curriculum helps students explore the causes, consequences, and responses to crime in society. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of justice, responsibility, and social change.
Students learn about why people commit crimes, how crime is investigated, and how the criminal justice system operates. Through real-world case studies and engaging content, they develop analytical and evaluative skills that are valuable in many careers and areas of life.
Our teaching supports every student to reach their full potential, with a clear structure that builds confidence and independence. The course connects with students’ everyday experiences and encourages them to think about the role of law, media, and society in shaping behaviour.
We also promote values such as fairness, resilience, and integrity. By linking criminology to current issues and ethical debates, we aim to inspire students to become informed, thoughtful citizens who are ready to make a positive impact in their communities.
Key Themes/Domains
Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
Students explore what crime is, how it’s defined by society, and why people commit crimes. They examine different types of crime, how crime is measured, and how public perceptions are shaped by media and culture.
Theories of Criminality
The course introduces a range of explanations for criminal behaviour, including biological, psychological, and sociological theories. Students learn to compare and evaluate these theories to understand the complexity of criminal behaviour.
Crime Scene to Courtroom
A key theme is the criminal justice process—from investigating a crime scene to presenting evidence in court. Students learn about the roles of professionals like police officers, forensic scientists, and legal teams, and how evidence is gathered and used.
Crime Control and Punishment
Students explore how society responds to crime through punishment, rehabilitation, and crime prevention. They evaluate the effectiveness of different methods, including prisons, community sentences, and crime reduction strategies.
Application of Knowledge to Real-World Scenarios
The course encourages students to apply their learning to case studies and real-life examples, helping them understand how criminological theories and processes work in practice.
Critical Thinking and Evaluation
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to question assumptions, weigh up evidence, and form reasoned arguments—skills that are essential for further study and many careers.
Ethics and Social Justice
Students consider the fairness and impact of the criminal justice system, including issues like discrimination, wrongful convictions, and the treatment of victims and offenders.
Curriculum Overview
Year 12
| Year 12 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Changing Awareness of Crime Focus: Understanding crime and public perception
Focus: Campaigns for change
Controlled assessment preparation and completion |
| Autumn 2 | |
| Spring 1 |
Criminological Theories Focus: Biological and individualistic theories of criminality
Focus: Sociological theories of criminality
Focus: Policy development
Focus: Social change and law
|
| Spring 2 | |
| Summer 1 |
Following the exam of Unit 2, students begin their Diploma Studies: Crime Scene to Courtroom Focus: The Criminal Investigation Process
|
| Summer 2 |
Crime Scene to Courtroom Focus: The prosecution process
|
Year 13
| Year 13 | |
| Autumn 1 |
Crime Scene to Courtroom Focus: Reviewing criminal cases
Controlled assessment preparation and completion. |
| Autumn 2 | |
| Spring 1 |
Crime and Punishment Focus: The criminal justice system
Focus: Aims and forms of punishment
|
| Spring 2 |
Crime and Punishment Focus: Social control and effectiveness
Exam preparation and revision for external assessment. |
| Summer 1 | Exam preparation and revision for external assessment. |
| Summer 2 | |
Assessment
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Year 12 | Controlled Assessment | Mock Examination | Certificate Examination (external exam) |
| Year 13 | Controlled Assessment | Mock Examination | Diploma Examination (external exam) |
Exam Board Link(s)
Extracurricular Opportunities
Students will have the opportunity to meet a number of people working within the criminal justice system. Previous experiences have included:
- Trip to Shepton Mallet Prison
- Visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in London to enact a murder trial
- Discussions with local police
- Visit to local magistrates courts
Careers
Where can Criminology qualifications take you?
Criminology is of value for any role within the criminal justice system, with clear links to:
- Prison Service
- Police
- Law
- CPS
- Forensic (science or psychology)
- Scene of Crime Officer
Learning Beyond the Curriculum
Podcast Episodes
-
Reith Lecture 2024: Is Violence Normal? by Dr Gwen Adshead – A forensic psychiatrist discusses her lifetime’s work with criminals.
-
If it Bleeds, it Leads – A professor of criminology and writer of Silent Witness discuss issues of criminology and media portrayal of crime.
-
Behind the Crime – Two forensic psychologists interview convicted criminals and discuss cases – directly relevant to the course.
- It’s a Fair Cop - An ex-police officer turned comedian brilliantly discusses real-life cases with an audience explaining a great deal of our topics on Crime Scene to Courtroom.
TV
- The Jury, Channel 4 – Exploring how reliable the jury’s verdict is by having two jurys consider the same case.
- David Wilson's Crime Files, BBC – Professor David Wilson discusses real crime cases from a criminologist’s perspective.
Books
Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
- The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken by The Secret Barrister – A powerful, real-world look at the UK criminal justice system from a barrister’s perspective. Insightful and accessible.
- A Short History of Crime by Clive Emsle - A historical look at how crime and punishment have evolved in Britain.
- Criminal: The Truth About Why People Do Bad Things by Tom Gash - Challenges common myths about crime and offers evidence-based insights into criminal behaviour.
Theories and Causes of Crime
- Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton E. Samenow - A compelling look into the thought processes of offenders, linking well with psychological theories of crime.
Media, Campaigns, and Public Perception
- Shallow Graves by Ray Fysh - A brilliant history of the use of forensic science in cases told in the form of a thriller.
- A Rusty Gun by Noel Razor Smith - Once Britain's most wanted armed robbers turned friend of Criminolgist David Wilson explores his criminal past and the possible reasons for it.
