Psychology can be applied in all areas of life as a way of understanding how the mind works and how this links to human behaviour.  The study of psychology helps us to better understand and help people with psychological disorders, treat mental health problems and improve the education system, workplace behaviour, and relationships.   In a world where mental health affects 25% of us, it is imperative that we develop an understanding and empathy of these disorders. 

At Hungerhill school, psychology offers an enriching and knowledgeable curriculum for our students.  The subject enables them to understand themselves and other people through applying theories and studies in analysing behaviours.  Students will develop an empathy and understanding of mental health and be able to explain why people conform and obey and how to revise using memory aids.   

There are also many skills that can be gained through studying psychology.  Students will be critically thinking every lesson which will help them across other subjects.  There are also many cross-curricular links, giving students an opportunity to develop their numeracy, science and literacy skills. 

Our curriculum will:  

Develop the character of all students  

• Students will be challenged with an aspirational curriculum and be expected to strive for excellence every lesson. 

• Students will develop Hungerhill school’s core values through the ethical implications in research; empathising with situations e.g. amnesia and learning about differences within people e.g. schizophrenia. 

• Students will become resilient learners through formative and summative assessment; target work and encouraged to develop a growth mindset. 

Ensure all students are literate and numerate  

• A love of reading will be promoted through the curriculum by reading challenging and interesting texts. 

• Students will be confident using psychological terminology and will use this language in their text and speech. 

• Students will practise their Mathematical skills in assessment and in their lessons. 

Build knowledge and aspirations of all students  

• The curriculum progresses to build upon skills and knowledge studied previously. 

• Lessons are sequenced in blocks of learning and begin with research methods so students can use this terminology to build a foundation for the modules that follow. 

• Critical thinking skills become more challenging throughout the later modules but build upon the evaluation skills during year 9. 

• Retrieval practice is heavily embedded and form part of the daily diet using retrieval grids, do now activities and low stake quizzes. 

Ensure all students have the secure foundations to progress into further education and employment  

• The knowledge within the modules; the students knowledge of research methods and their exam technique will provide a great foundation and understanding ready for KS5 psychology if they choose to study psychology further. 

• Students will explore potential careers in psychology in their learning e.g. cognitive behavioural therapist.

Develop cultural capital of all students  

• Students will have an awareness of mental health issues in terms of the ICD and statistics 

• Students will be exposed to museum content e.g.Sigmund Freuds’s link to Vienna (pictures of the museum) 

• Students will be given many opportunities to be creative e.g. building the multi-store model/ creating a sleep cycle. 

• Students will have lots of opportunities to debate. 

Miss S Lock
Curriculum Leader