Sociology

Sociology is the study of how society is organized, and how we experience life. It has been taught in British universities since the very beginning of the twentieth century, first the London School of Economics, and soon after at Liverpool University. These and other pioneering departments did ground breaking research in major social issues, such as poverty and crime.

Intent

• To develop competence, conscience and compassion
• To develop students understanding of how society is organised and how we experience life within it.
• To develop and bring to life a collective vision of what it means to be successful which is shared by all staff and students within the department.
• To develop students love of learning and curiosity about the world through a broad and deep study of a range of institutions in society.
• To develop students knowledge, skills and abilities so they become be discerning young adults who are active in seeking action within the community.
• To develop students cultural capital in order for them to be successful fully integrated adults in society.

Implementation

• Provide clear curriculum mapping which sets out how new knowledge builds on previous learning at each key stage.
• Actively engage with the specification and curriculum map in lessons and meetings so students and staff can assess and action gaps in understanding or delivery.
• Deliver a standardised curriculum to all student groups with all lessons incorporating opportunities for all students to be stretched or supported according to ability level (with SEND and HPA students in mind). Monitoring through learning walks, co-planning, shared drive, department handbook and book looks to ensure consistency.
• Regular review of staff subject knowledge through observation, audit and ongoing opportunities for professional development to ensure students have a consistently high quality experience in every lesson.
• Develop students understanding of how society works through exploration of their relationships with others and of the social institutions in which they participate in the context of UK society and their position within the globalised world.
• Strengthen cumulative knowledge which enables them to integrate their existing understanding of the world into larger concepts across specific areas of sociology.
• Develop transferable skills including how to: investigate facts and make deductions, develop opinions and new ideas on social issues and analyse and better understand the social world.
• Students will understand topics within the context of the core themes of socialisation, culture and identity, social differentiation, power and stratification.
• Implement a rigorous and consistent schedule of assessment including standardised; questions, instructions, criteria and model for feedback.
• Use assessment to check understanding, address misconceptions and provide clear and appropriate feedback for students to move their learning forward.
• Offer of a range of extracurricular opportunities including; wider reading, attendance at lectures and conferences, participation in HE run programmes and competitions.
• Lessons delivered which have a high AO2 (application) focus in order to maximise board and deep thinking and cross curricular learning/application.
• Provide timely and effective interventions to close gaps in learning or between SIP priority groups so all students make at least expected progress.
• Students and staff follow the rationale and intent of the curriculum through engagement with; learning objectives, lesson activities, course guide, PLCs and active participation in lessons and tasks set.
• Plan lessons with a consistent and rigorous focus on wider reading around the subject area and use of academic and sociological terminology in both verbal and written communication.
• Embedding knowledge of the curriculum through interleaved practice and planned revision activities which are based on areas of weakness identified by data.
• Use formative and summative data to identify gaps in learning and address recurring patterns and trends in achievement in order to plan effective interventions to move learning forward.
• Coaching and mentoring students through clear conversations on actions they can take to; make progress, be prepared, revise effectively and close gaps in their knowledge.
• Content delivery which focuses on; building independent skills, improving verbal and written communication and encourages questioning and curiosity.

Impact

• Students will be able to confidently articulate their sociological knowledge both inside and outside the classroom.
• Students will be able to apply their learning to situations in everyday life including in an educational and family setting showing independence of thought and emotional maturity.
• Students are keen participants in lessons and actively engage in the learning experience which will be seen through observation, behaviour for learning data and classroom atmosphere.  
• Students will master exam skills throughout Key Stage 4 leading to more confidence in A-Level study.
• Progress and attainment of students in external exams in line with or above expectation
• Students show confidence in their understanding of sociology and are able to demonstrate this through use of transferrable skills in progressing to the next stage of their education or employment journey.

Subject Specific Concepts

• Sociological theory including; conflict and consensus perspectives, social structure and social action as ways to explain different aspects of social interactions.
• Research methodology – Ways of collecting information and data to understand and explain social patterns and trends.
• Social groups – gender, ethnicity, class and the relationships between each group and the institutions in society.

Year 10 Curriculum Map

Year 11 Curriculum Map