Head of Department

Miss L Wilkinson, BSc (Hons), PGCE, NPQSL

Statement of Intent

At Devonport High School for Girls, we take a scientific approach to the study of Psychology, with the overall aim of using our psychological knowledge and understanding to have a positive impact on the world around us. Upon completion of the A Level Psychology course, students will:

• understand and be able to explain the influence of the many and varying factors that affect human behaviour as well as being mindful of the complex interaction between these factors;
• be able to apply psychological knowledge and understanding to explain real-life situations as well as offering practical strategies and advice based on this knowledge and understanding;
• be able to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data to draw logical conclusions;
• be able to critically appraise even the most academic and scientific research;
• have developed abstract thinking skills, e.g., the notion of type 1 and 2 errors in statistical testing and the concept of the unconscious mind;
• be able to express themselves clearly and concisely using appropriate subject specific terminology;
• appreciate the value of psychology in a wide variety of workplace settings and in our personal lives.

We achieve this by building on:

• prior learning from GCSE Science and Mathematics, e.g., synaptic transmission, hypotheses, descriptive statistics and graphs;
• students’ own experiences, e.g., conforming to fashions, different types of memories and obedience to teachers/parents;
• historical events e.g., the holocaust, the London Bombings and the murders of Jeffrey Dahmer;
• more recent societal changes, e.g., increasing mental health issues, the #MeToo movement and conformity to Covid guidelines;
• practical experiences, e.g., designing and carrying out research, taking part in a brain dissection and our biennial visit to London.

A Level Course Outline

We study the AQA A level psychology course. This is a linear course with three two-hour exams, sat at the end of year 13.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

Success in psychology A Level shows that you can master complex subject content and use advanced critical analysis. Course content is relevant to a range of careers: Law, Crime and Policing, Teaching, Medicine and Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling, Management and Marketing. Each year a number of students go on to study for psychology degrees at university.

Course Content