At Abbeyfield School, we have high expectations of all students in the Social Sciences; we are ambitious to achieve. The Social Sciences is made up of Sociology, Business, Health and Social Care and Psychology. All Social Science curriculum is designed to promote excellent student progress, building upon skills learnt each year, as well as offering challenge and engaging students to become lifelong lovers of their chosen subjects.

Key Stage Four: 

AQA GCSE Sociology  

GCSE Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes, and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification. Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements, and drawing reasoned conclusions. Students study key ideas of classical sociologists including Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, referencing their view of the world and their contribution to the development of the discipline. Students will also learn how to apply various research methods to different sociological contexts.  

OCR GCSE Business 

GCSE Business is an up-to-date and engaging qualification that is relevant to the world of business today. This qualification equips learners with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect business decisions. Business will encourage learners to make informed choices about a wide range of further learning opportunities and career pathways as well as develop life skills that enable them to become financially and commercially aware. Learners are required to apply their knowledge and understanding to a variety of different business contexts in a dynamic and competitive environment. These include businesses ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national, and global contexts. Learners must develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour. 

Pearson BTEC Health and Social Care (L1/2) 

BTEC Health and Social Care gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. Learners will investigate how, in real situations, human development is affected by different factors and that people deal differently with life events. Learner’s study and explore practically, health and social care services and how they meet the needs of real service users. They also develop skills in applying care values. Learners will study the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and how to design a health and wellbeing improvement plan. 

Key Stage Five

AQA A Level Sociology 

Sociology is a fun, interesting and contemporary subject that offers an insight into the world we live in. It gives an inside investigate day-to-day life that has a bearing on us all. Students will study topics such as family, education, global development, crime, media, research methods and sociological theory. Within these we study two core themes; socialisation, culture, and identity; and social differentiation, power, and stratification. The course provides students with skills and knowledge of sociological theories, perspectives, and methods including the design of the research used to obtain the data under consideration, including its strengths and limitations.  

AQA A Level Psychology  

The Psychology course covers topics such as Social Psychology which includes why people obey authority and how minority influence can instigate social change, Cognitive Psychology which includes explanations for forgetting and factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, Developmental Psychology which includes the importance of early social development and the effects of separation, Research methods, Issues and debates, Relationships, Schizophrenia, Forensic psychology.  

Edexcel A Level Business  

Business is a dynamic subject. You will learn about the diverse nature of business enterprise and the interdependence of the various parts of the business world. You will explore business success and business failure, investigate local, national, and global business markets, and understand how businesses need to adapt and respond strategically to the changing environment in which they operate to survive and grow. Students develop strong analytical skills and learn in-depth knowledge of contemporary business issues and problems. Students study a range of contemporary topics such Artificial Intelligence, business ethics, digital technology, and social media influence, as well as the more traditional political, legal, and economic influences on business. 

Pearson BTec Health and Social Care (L3) 

BTEC Health and Social Care is designed to develop knowledge and understanding required in Health and Social Care sectors. It provides an opportunity for students to gain a nationally recognised qualification to either enter employment or progress to further education courses. The course will enable the student to either continue in further education or use the qualification to enter employment. Students will study Human Lifespan Development, Working in Health and Social Care, Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs and, Physiological Disorders and their Care.  

Enrichment

In Social Science subjects’ students are encouraged to explore the real-world context of the subjects they are learning by engaging with local news, businesses, community programs and social issues. We support students with this by providing internal opportunities including guest speakers and workshops, as well as external trips. We encourage both KS4 and KS5 students to engage with wider reading to explore content through literature, news, film, and documentaries.