Exam Board - AQA
Specification - GCSE Psychology 8182

Year 10 (2024-25)

Social Influence

Although we think of ourselves as individuals, research shows that a huge amount of the time our behaviour, actions and even thoughts and feelings are shaped by others.  This can have huge implications: why do ‘good’ people do terrible things like abuse prisoners, participate in the Holocaust etc.

Psychological Research

Understanding how psychological research is carried out is essential to be able to critically analyse studies in psychology. Students should have practical experience of designing and carrying out their own research in order to be able to truly understand the decisions that need to made when trying to investigate the hardest subject of all; human beings.

Development

It may seem obvious to us that 5 counters spread out far apart is the same number as 5 close together. However this was not always the case. Thinking has to develop through stages throughout childhood to get to where we are today & there are some common errors in logic that children often make in the process, We are all still learning though & it is essential- especially in education- that we understand the theories of we learn in order to maximise our learning potentials. 

Memory

Memory is a fundamental human ability. It underpins our ability to perform any task and therefore it is hugely important to understand how it works. Understanding how to maximise memory is essential when revising for exams, but is also essential to your quality of life as you age. It is, however, scary how easily our memories can be manipulated and how unreliable they can be. False memories can have serious implication for eye witness testimonies, so we need to study memory to ensure justice in the legal system.

Brain and Neuropsychology

Brain abnormalities, chemical imbalances, the nervous system and genetics. All of these biological constructs hugely influence our behaviour and are often key to treating abnormal behaviours. Unique case studies, such as that of a patient who can only say the word ‘Tan’ tells us loads about how the brain works and the possible effects of damage to this most important organ.

Language, thought and communication ????

We all know what this facial expression means. We most commonly think of communication as the words we say, however there is so much more to it than that. Non- verbal communication can help us communicate when we do not share a language and has helped ensure the survival of the human race, therefore understanding this topic gives is the power to understand the world. 

Year 11 (2024-45)

Due to a curriculum restructure, the current year 11 are studying some topics that will, in future, be taught in year 10 so there is some repetition of units listed here.  

Language, thought and communication ????

We all know what this facial expression means. We most commonly think of communication as the words we say, however there is so much more to it than that. Non- verbal communication can help us communicate when we do not share a language and has helped ensure the survival of the human race, therefore understanding this topic gives is the power to understand the world. 

Development

It may seem obvious to us that 5 counters spread out far apart is the same number as 5 close together. However this was not always the case. Thinking has to develop through stages throughout childhood to get to where we are today & there are some common errors in logic that children often make in the process, We are all still learning though & it is essential- especially in education- that we understand the theories of we learn in order to maximise our learning potentials. 

Brain and Neuropsychology

Brain abnormalities, chemical imbalances, the nervous system and genetics. All of these biological constructs hugely influence our behaviour and are often key to treating abnormal behaviours. Unique case studies, such as that of a patient who can only say the word ‘Tan’ tells us loads about how the brain works and the possible effects of damage to this most important organ.

Perception

What we see isn’t always the same as what we perceive. Visual illusions trick us into perceiving information incorrectly- for example thinking a shape is there when it actually isn’t. Understanding how we can create these illusions has lots of application to other subjects too, such as art. This knowledge can be used to create depth in a 2D image for example. Understanding factors which affect our perception can help us understand how people can see the world differently, for example, if you’re hungry you perceive food as brighter..!

Specification 2017 GCSE Business Studies

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

What is business all about – Can you be the next winner of the apprentice? Be able to understand the key skills and qualities that are needed to achieve success and how to avoid failure. The current business climate is very challenging so it is important to understand these skills and qualities and their importance for all students to embrace whatever the future brings. 

Spotting a business opportunity 

To succeed in the world of business you have to be responsive and ready to react to a rapidly changing world.  In this unit we look at how businesses have done this from the development process to product release; what leads to success... and what leads to failure!  To win big in business entrepreneurs need to be able to spot the gap in the market and seize the opportunity – this is the first step on that path. 

Putting business ideas into practice

Why do businesses do what they do? Explore the setting of aims and how they are monitored, making those targets SMART. Can we evaluate the impact if we get it wrong and the knock on effects to all. 

Have you ever wondered how businesses set their prices and what impacts it?  Businesses must understand budgeting and understand that it can result in the success or failure of the business. How many items do you need to sell before you start making a profit? How do you cover your costs? How can you raise money to start your business?

Making the business effective

Why do we locate a business in that place? Understand the importance of location and how it will impact how we may make different choices, experience different levels of provision. Students gain an awareness of how to influence decisions / marketing messages that are given 

External influences on business

As a customer / consumer/ employee and employer, what do I need to be aware of – the rules / laws that protect us and ensure we are treated fairly. The decisions that the government makes have a huge influence on businesses; they have to change and adapt in order to run effectively. Exchange rates, interest rates, inflation. Businesses need to respond to these quickly in order to remain successful.

Business Growth

Can you now develop your application of all these business ideas to different types of businesses and situations? Can you understand what a particular business does well and where it makes errors and the impact on those around it?

We want you to look at world and be able to identify the differences and the impact it has on those closest to it and critically explain how a business has to adapt to be successful in changing cultures. 

Making marketing decisions 

Understand the importance of respecting individuals in all areas of the world and treating them fairly – become an empathetic consumer and challenge when there is unfair treatment an important skill to acquire and develop.  

Realise the impact of environmental decisions and what we as consumers should be demanding and be able to see how this may impact business growth and development. 

Making Operational Decisions

Understand the importance of planning, being resilient and adapting to different contexts is an important skill for us all in all areas of our life – so important to learn how you can embed these into your business ideas. 

Calculations continue the theme of ensuring you get value for money and realistic budgeting for individuals and business and how this links to success. 

Making financial decisions 

Calculations continue the theme of ensuring you get value for money and realistic budgeting for individuals and business and how this links to success.

Making human resource decisions

How do I secure a job– what is the process? Do you understand the tasks involved in applying for jobs?  What do good / effective applications & interviews look like and how can you highlight your skills? We also look at this from the employer’s perspective to consider how businesses select suitable talent to drive their business forward and how they design a fair but rigorous process.

Exam Board OCR 
Specification Health and Social Care Level 1/level 2 - J835
RO33- Supporting individuals through life events (Coursework)

Students are able to use the theory and apply to a specific life stage increasing their understanding of a particular stage in life and what may have to be overcome. This gives students an awareness of how different individuals may deal with different events and still achieve and become more resilient in their lives and know support provision and how to access it for future. 

Coursework:

Life stages and development

Students look at stages of development for all different age groups so they become more aware of needs of individuals and empathetic towards others and their role in caring for others  

Coursework:

Life events and their impact on individuals

How life events impact different individuals and can impact their growth and development. Develop an understanding of expected and unexpected life events and the impact on them 

Coursework:

Sources of support to meet individual needs

Become aware of the different sources of support that is available to all and how it may help individuals or groups of people to become the best they can through challenging circumstances. 
R034-Creative and therapeutic activities (Coursework)

Students will explore and learn the different creative and therapeutic activities available & how they are used in different settings for people with different needs and abilities. You will look at the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development benefits of these activities on the health and wellbeing of service users. We pick this option because we believe it gives students a better understanding of the practical application of health and social care to the workplace. 

Creative and therapeutic activities

This is a module where students can show their strengths in their creative side by guiding someone else to success. This introduces students to the different types of therapies and how they can help support individuals and give them an outlet. It introduces students to new ways of addressing challenges and how to work with others in supporting them 

Creative activity coursework project.

In this practical unit, students plan out a task and all that is needed – looking at resources/ time management and communication in order to help and guide others to success.  They then review and self-critique their work as well as receiving feedback from others.
RO32- Principles of care in health and social care settings (exam)

Principles of care

RO32 provides learners with a broad and in-depth knowledge base providing the opportunity to explore the health and social care sector. The learner will be required to apply knowledge and understanding through a mandatory assessment of learning in the exam 

It provides a broad, in-depth knowledge base from which learners can explore working practice in health and social care. The external exam students sit in January of Year 11 is a synoptic exam based on the content of RO32.