Our Intent
The intent of the Sociology curriculum, at Branston Community Academy, is to encourage students to take a critical perspective on society and to ask important questions concerning social life in the context of their world. Sociology is an intellectually rigorous subject and students are encouraged to challenge their pre-existing beliefs about society and to think about the world outside of their textbook.
The aim of the Sociology curriculum is to equip students with appropriate knowledge and the skills needed to understand and explain the causes of global human interaction whilst opening fascinating discussions. This course allows students to examine society through many sociological lenses underpinned by consensus, conflict and social action theories. In addition to considering how key variables such as, social class, gender and ethnicity can impact and shape an individual’s opportunities in life and what we can do to ameliorate the effects of inequality in the UK.
The A-level has strong links to British Values and EDI. By widening their experiences of the local and global community, and by exploring ideas about equality and diversity throughout the curriculum, Sociology provides students with the knowledge and understanding to be safely involved in the world around them, to be respectful, tolerant and confident citizens.
Pupils not only acquire worldly knowledge but a critical understanding of contemporary society and social changes that impact their own and the lives of millions like them. This embeds itself within our vision: ‘that students leave Branston Community Academy having achieved their academic potential, equipped and inspired to be successful, contributing members of society who embody our Academy values.’
Resources and Facilities
Resources can be located in each year groups’ Google Classroom. Teachers upload the lessons every week and regularly upload useful links to articles, books and revision material. Students should check this regularly. Each classroom area is very well organized to allow students to find the exact resource they need quickly and efficiently.
A2 Assessment (7192, AQA)
Paper 1 – Education with Theory and Methods
Paper 2 - Families and Households & Beliefs in Society
Paper 3 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
A Level assessment (7192): These are three examinations taken at the end of Year 13 which count for 100% of the total A-level. Grades and marks achieved in Year 12 are not counted.
Entry requirements: Students will need a minimum grade 6 in GCSE English.
Supporting Learning at Home
A-level students are expected to spend five hours every week on improving their knowledge of the topics covered in Sociology. This should involve allocating weekly time to:
- Using the wealth of resources available to read/research further around topics studied
- Going over past topics and units covered.
- Completing home learning (which will involve recapping, extending or using the content we learn.).
- Making revision materials, e.g. flashcards, mind maps, key sociologists, terms, statistics, explanations sheets.
- Redrafting essays (if applicable)
- Practice exam questions
Where can the course lead?
Sociology prepares students for many careers and Higher Education courses, such as human resource management, social work, marketing, nursing, journalism, law, teaching, the police, the media, personnel, probation and advertising. There are also a wide variety of opportunities in all aspects of social research such as youth services, criminal justice system, ethnic minority rights and the leisure industry. As a Social Science, Sociology compliments other areas of study such as Psychology, History, Geography, English Literature and Health & Social Care.
