INTENT

Sociology is an exciting subject on the KS4 curriculum because it involves exploring the people around you!  We evaluate different ideas by the greatest sociologists of all time on subjects such as “What is the point of the family” “Is my ability to do well in my exams based on my background or school?”  “Why are some crimes under-reported?”  and “Why is there inequality in society?”

Sociology is the study of how society is organised and why people behave the way they do. It uses special methods like interviews, surveys, observations, and case studies to learn about groups of people. Sociologists also look at data to find patterns, like crime rates and birth rates.

In this subject, students learn how people get their identities and how culture is passed from one generation to the next. Throughout the course, students debate ideas, write persuasive essays, analyse important sociological theories, and form their own opinions about the world. They learn to respect different theories and attitudes.

We foster a respectful environment where students learn to respect the views of others and feel able to contribute to discussion. Students are encouraged to be resilient learners by correcting misconceptions and developing their writing skills through scaffolds and guided instruction. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Teachers adapt activities to enable all to learn and feel confident. There are high expectations of behaviour to enable us to teach students the right learning habits for success. We aim to encourage students to be curious, lifelong learners and we develop purposeful learning environments for this to happen.

The curriculum is structured as follows:

KS4 / GCSE

Year 10 – Paper 1 Content: Understanding Social Processes

• Key concepts and processes
• The Family
• Education
• Sociological research methods

As part of studying each of the above units, we will encounter concepts. These form part of the spiral structure of the Sociology curriculum. For example, “socialisation” is an important concept that is included in the Family, Education, Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification. “Deviance” is a concept that is revisited in every unit, and really explored in detail under the “Crime and Deviance” section.

Year 11 – Paper 2 Content: Understanding Social Structures

• Social differentiation and stratification
• Crime and deviance
• Applied methods of sociological enquiry

Mastering exam questions, applying theories and remembering sociologists takes resilience. In Sociology, we practice evaluating different theories and evidence in order to become confident learners.

Hopefully, by studying Sociology, you will be empowered to change society for the better and become active citizens who are engaged in what’s happening around them.

IMPACT

The Sociology curriculum is designed to help students understand how society works and why people behave the way they do. By using different methods from social sciences, students learn to think critically and analyse how social structures and processes operate.

Studying family and education helps students understand how people are socialised and how culture is passed down. They learn about the complexities of social relationships and how different social factors influence individual and group identities.

Exploring crime and deviance helps students understand societal rules and what happens when they are broken. By looking at crime rates and patterns, students gain a deeper understanding of social control and justice. The curriculum also prepares students for further education and diverse career paths, emphasising the relevance of sociological knowledge in various professional contexts.

Overall, the Sociology curriculum fosters a critical and informed understanding of the social world, enabling students to engage thoughtfully with contemporary social issues and contribute meaningfully to society.

A GCSE in Sociology can lead to a variety of career paths that benefit from the analytical, research, and interpersonal skills developed through studying this subject. Here are some potential career pathways:

• Social and Community Services:
  • Social Worker
  • Community Development Worker
  • Youth Worker
  • Charity Worker
• Law and Criminal Justice:
  • Probation Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Criminal Justice Worker
  • Legal Assistant
• Education and Research:
  • Teacher (specialising in Sociology or Social Studies)
  • Academic Researcher
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Sociologist
• Healthcare:
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Health Educator
  • Public Health Worker
  • Counsellor or Therapist
• Media and Journalism:
  • Journalist (specialising in social issues)
  • Media Researcher
  • Communications Officer
  • Public Relations Specialist
• Business and Human Resources:
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Organisational Development Specialist
  • Diversity and Inclusion Officer
• Marketing and Consumer Research:
  • Market Researcher
  • Consumer Behaviour Analyst
  • Advertising Specialist
  • Brand Manager
• Psychology and Counselling:
  • Counsellor
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Mental Health Worker
  • Rehabilitation Specialist