The Department of Social Sciences currently offers A-level Psychology and Sociology at Park High School. These courses are extremely popular and often over-subscribed, playing a significant role in our sixth form provision. We offer linear A-levels across two years with internal assessments at the end of Year 1.  The department currently has two full-time members of staff and one part-time member all of whom work in their own teaching spaces within the sixth form building.

Departmental priorities include adopting an evidence-based approach to pedagogy, a renewed focus on literacy and oracy as well as ensuring all lessons have appropriate challenge for all students to achieve within the higher mark bands.  We believe that all teachers are teachers of literacy, and we see reading, writing, vocabulary, speaking, listening and debate as the key foundations of great teaching. We prepare students for higher education as well the world of work. We encourage our students to apply their knowledge of social science to themselves and the world around them.

Psychology

All students study the AQA specification with the optional topics of cognitive development, aggression and schizophrenia being offered due to departmental expertise.

Sociology

All students currently follow the AQA specification with the optional topics of family and beliefs being offered due to department expertise. 

Staff development

Park High School recognises that its staff are our greatest resource and so we invest time and effort into everyone’s professional development. We offer an extensive programme of professional development, which offers a whole range of opportunities for colleagues to develop their potential within and beyond Park High School.   Professional development underpins all our work.

Staff development is highly regarded and we have strong partnerships with universities and other higher education institutions and we actively support our staff in pursuing Master’s and other higher qualifications.

“Park High School has an incredibly strong developmental culture, with a real focus on investing in staff to better student outcomes. It is highly valued by staff and brilliantly led, with positive support from the Headteacher and senior leadership who are also quick to advocate its importance within school.”  TDT Audit 2018

Pastoral role

All staff are involved in the tutorial system, most as tutors with tutor groups.  This is an important part of our work.

We are committed to the delivery of Personal Social Health Citizenship & Economic Education (PSHCEe) which all teachers as tutors are expected to teach. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHCEe develops the qualities and attributes students need to thrive both as individuals and members of society. We have a high quality provision of PSHCEe at Park which has been recognised nationally.