Psychology at RPA

Pyschology at Richmond Park Academy

Psychology at RPA provides students with the opportunity to explore fascinating questions of human behaviour. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the appropriate knowledge and skills needed to be able to understand and explain the causes of human behaviour and the impact of this behaviour on wider society. Students are challenged to think analytically and reach logical conclusions based on scientific evidence and encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, values and behaviours. Our intention is that students who study Psychology at RPA will not only achieve the best grades at examination but will also develop a fascination for the subject.

Who's who in the team

Ms MJ Blease - Subject Leader

Ms O Hansom

The mind is something intangible that exists within our brain. An unseen process of enzymes, chemicals and electric current moving within the structure of our neural networks dictates why we feel, think and behave the way we do. But why is it that some people suffer from stress and mental illness? Why do some people fear snakes yet a few think they are cuddly? Psychology looks at questions like these in the study of the human mind and behaviour. It is a science with cutting edge research that has real-world applications to issues in everyday life, ranging from things like artificial intelligence to social change.

What we do when

The GCSE currently offered at Richmond Park Academy follows the OCR specification and is a fascinating course that centres around five key areas of Psychology whilst maintaining a clear focus on Mental Health:

Biological Psychology: Explores how biological factors, such as genes and chemicals, influence behaviour
Cognitive Psychology: Examines the functioning of the mind and mental processes
Developmental Psychology: Studies the ways in which people’s minds and behaviour change over time
Social Psychology: Focuses on how we respond to and are affected by others
Individual Differences: Reminds us that we are not all the same and how each individual is unique

The course will also provide the opportunity to develop important skills such as demonstrating and applying knowledge and understanding building to interpretation, evaluation and analysis of psychological data and practice.

Research methods will be embedded throughout the topics. Students will develop the skills to plan, conduct and analyse psychological research.

Key Stage 4

Course Outline

Unit 1: Criminal Psychology

Unit 2: Development

Unit 3: Psychological Problems

Unit 4: Social Influence

Unit 5: Memory

Unit 6: Sleep and Dreaming

Unit 7: Research Methods

At KS5, Psychology A-Level is offered according to the AQA specification. Here we investigate how psychologists observe and measure behaviour, and consider how their therapies are based on scientific principles. Psychology has links with many disciplines including biological, computer and forensic science as well as humanities such as sociology, philosophy, anthropology and even literature. It involves the study of theory, empirical evidence and practical applications. This mix of disciplines helps to make Psychology such a fascinating subject.