Psychology

The Psychology department works to strive to empower students to open their eyes to the world, and explore challenging ideas in a safe and respectful environment; encouraging within them excellent academic progress and personal growth, to become competent and ethical individuals committed to the science of psychology and its application to real-world situations. 

Psychology uses the humanities and other science disciplines as a springboard for deeper explanations and high order thinking. We encourage students to go beyond their immediate experience and use evidence from research and theory to help explain the individual and society. Our discipline is a perfect platform for teaching critical thinking. The ability to analyse and evaluate our own views and those of others in the light of evidence is an essential skill; we give students the confidence and the skills to be able to do this. We empower students to open their eyes to the world and explore challenging ideas in a safe and relaxed environment, encouraging within them excellent academic progress and personal growth. 

We create a safe environment where students are allowed to develop their values and discuss preconceived ideas in a non-judgement way. Through challenge complex and sensitive topics, we create a sense of friendship and support allowing self-confidence, respect of others, respect for others and self-esteem to grow. We are tolerant of the views of others. We not only promote a rigorously academic curriculum but also foster students’ curiosity and ability to question critically and think deeply beyond the confines of exam based specifications. 

We support students to acquire a sense of resilience when faced with problem solving. We encourage students not to accept facts at face value, but develop the skills to analyse and evaluate all aspects of themselves and society. We equip students to be creative, spontaneous, moral individuals who will contribute to society in a positive way. We further enhance students’ attention to detail, creativity, complex reasoning, and principles of statistics and research methods, effective written communication, and effective oral communication.  

At Bishop Justus, we offer Psychology across both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 with several underlying themes that run through both the GCSE and A Level courses.

Careers 

Psychology is most useful in careers that deal with people (e.g. general practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse, lawyer, manager, teacher, etc.). Psychologists work in a variety of sectors such as health care, education, legal, civil servant, forensics and businesses. 

More information links http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology Subscribe to Psychology Review: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/psychologyreview BPS: http://www.bps.org.uk/

Updated VCM details will be available from 18/01/24