Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychology is well suited to curious pupils, and enjoy thinking about and researching questions such as: ‘How does memory work?’, ‘How is our behaviour influenced by those around us?’, and ‘How do our early attachments affect the relationships we form in later life?’. Due to the cross-curricular nature of Psychology, with strong links to Biology, Mathematics and Humanities, pupils with an A-level in Psychology have gone on to study a variety of different courses at university. This also makes Psychology an excellent subject to pair with a diverse range of subjects at A-level for example, Physical Education, Biology or any Humanities subject. Studying Psychology will allow you to have a better understanding of the human mind and how everyday behaviour is influenced by the world around us. It will enable pupils to develop their critical thinking, and evaluative skills and have a better understanding of many social, scientific and contemporary issues involved in our daily lives. Although Psychology isn’t psychiatry (a field of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases) or psychotherapy (the use of psychological methods to modify human behaviour), understanding the mind and behaviour will contribute to these fields. Psychology is a scientific course, so a reasonable degree of competence in Science and Mathematics is important. Psychology is a demanding subject requiring pupils to conduct independent research outside of lessons. Candidates will be required to design their investigations and analyse data using statistical methods. Due to Psychology being a linear course with the exams at the end of the two years, the ability to recall information is important. As Psychology is a Social Science, the capability to write short essays as well as analyse experimental data is essential. Pupils will have a mixture of practical-based and theory-based lessons. Most lessons would involve class discussion about aspects of psychological research and the study of specific experiments and case studies. Pupil-led oral presentations and independent research would take place regularly. To conduct larger investigative studies, pupils would need to use some non-lesson time in school to collect data from participants, e.g. at lunchtime. Some lessons would be more mathematically focused, analysing data from investigations into aspects of human behaviour.
Sixth Form candidates are encouraged to apply in the Autumn Term of the year preceding entry and are generally required to have a minimum of two 7 and three 6 grades at GCSE, and a minimum of grade 5 in Mathematics and English, with some subject-specific requirements, as listed in our Sixth Form Curriculum Guide. In addition to the ‘traditional’ A Level offer, in September 2023, the School introduced BTEC in Sport. This pathway was open to elite performers who are linked with our Saracens Partnership. Grade 6 in GCSE Maths and English Language are required. 6 in Biology or 6-6 in Combined Science.
A-level Psychology courses concentrate on three areas: • Detailed study of classic and contemporary studies in Psychology • The research methods psychologists use • The application of psychological research in society In the first year, pupils will study a variety of topics including memory, social influence, attachment, research methods, approaches, biopsychology and psychopathology (the study of abnormalities). In the second year of the A-level course, pupils will specialise in three areas of research, for example, forensic psychology, gender, addiction, schizophrenia or stress. As well as this there will be further study on research methods with pupils being required to carry out their experiments. There is no coursework in the A-level course, so assessment is by externally assessed written examinations.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Barnet |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £36,795 - £43,590 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £25,800 |
| Address | The Ridgeway, Mill Hill Village, London, NW7 1QS |
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychology is well suited to curious pupils, and enjoy thinking about and researching questions such as: ‘How does memory work?’, ‘How is our behaviour influenced by those around us?’, and ‘How do our early attachments affect the relationships we form in later life?’. Due to the cross-curricular nature of Psychology, with strong links to Biology, Mathematics and Humanities, pupils with an A-level in Psychology have gone on to study a variety of different courses at university. This also makes Psychology an excellent subject to pair with a diverse range of subjects at A-level for example, Physical Education, Biology or any Humanities subject. Studying Psychology will allow you to have a better understanding of the human mind and how everyday behaviour is influenced by the world around us. It will enable pupils to develop their critical thinking, and evaluative skills and have a better understanding of many social, scientific and contemporary issues involved in our daily lives. Although Psychology isn’t psychiatry (a field of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases) or psychotherapy (the use of psychological methods to modify human behaviour), understanding the mind and behaviour will contribute to these fields. Psychology is a scientific course, so a reasonable degree of competence in Science and Mathematics is important. Psychology is a demanding subject requiring pupils to conduct independent research outside of lessons. Candidates will be required to design their investigations and analyse data using statistical methods. Due to Psychology being a linear course with the exams at the end of the two years, the ability to recall information is important. As Psychology is a Social Science, the capability to write short essays as well as analyse experimental data is essential. Pupils will have a mixture of practical-based and theory-based lessons. Most lessons would involve class discussion about aspects of psychological research and the study of specific experiments and case studies. Pupil-led oral presentations and independent research would take place regularly. To conduct larger investigative studies, pupils would need to use some non-lesson time in school to collect data from participants, e.g. at lunchtime. Some lessons would be more mathematically focused, analysing data from investigations into aspects of human behaviour.
Sixth Form candidates are encouraged to apply in the Autumn Term of the year preceding entry and are generally required to have a minimum of two 7 and three 6 grades at GCSE, and a minimum of grade 5 in Mathematics and English, with some subject-specific requirements, as listed in our Sixth Form Curriculum Guide. In addition to the ‘traditional’ A Level offer, in September 2023, the School introduced BTEC in Sport. This pathway was open to elite performers who are linked with our Saracens Partnership. Grade 6 in GCSE Maths and English Language are required. 6 in Biology or 6-6 in Combined Science.
A-level Psychology courses concentrate on three areas: • Detailed study of classic and contemporary studies in Psychology • The research methods psychologists use • The application of psychological research in society In the first year, pupils will study a variety of topics including memory, social influence, attachment, research methods, approaches, biopsychology and psychopathology (the study of abnormalities). In the second year of the A-level course, pupils will specialise in three areas of research, for example, forensic psychology, gender, addiction, schizophrenia or stress. As well as this there will be further study on research methods with pupils being required to carry out their experiments. There is no coursework in the A-level course, so assessment is by externally assessed written examinations.