Introduction to Department:  

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It examines how people think, feel and act, and considers the biological, cognitive and social influences that shape behaviour. The Psychology Department aims to inspire curious students who want to understand the world around them and the fascinating people who inhabit it.  

Students explore behaviour and mental processes, think analytically, and develop confidence in scientific reasoning and essay writing. They build skills in deep thinking, evidence-based evaluation, and research methods that underpin the discipline. Students engage with well-known studies such as Milgram’s research on obedience, Harlow’s work on maternally deprived monkeys, and Freud’s theories of childhood development, which offer insight into the forces shaping behaviour and personality. 

Lessons are interactive and varied, often including pair and group work, quizzes, experiments and opportunities for reflection. Students take part in activities such as personality assessments, obedience tests and attachment tasks, helping them experience psychological ideas in a practical and engaging way. 

The course provides a strong foundation for further study in psychology and related fields such as neuroscience, medicine, education and the social sciences. Students develop transferable skills in critical thinking, written communication and data analysis. Examination outcomes are consistently strong, with around 83–90% of grades awarded at A*–B, and many students progress to study psychology or related subjects at university. 

Recommended reading list:

• Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments – Alex Boese 
• The Psychopath Test – Jon Ronson 
• The Marshmallow Test: Why Self-Control Is the Engine of Success – Walter Mischel 
• Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family – Robert Kolker 
• The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks 
• The Selfish Gene – Richard Dawkins 
• Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman 
• Bad Science – Ben Goldacre 
• Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) – Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson 
• The Lucifer Effect – Philip Zimbardo 

Extra and Super-curricular:  

Brain Day- held biennially. A full day university style workshop, delivered by Dr Guy Sutton Director of Medical Biology Interactive and an Honorary Consultant Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham Medical School. This day focuses on neuroscience, the brain, schizophrenia and offending behaviour and is accompanied by a sheep brain dissection.   

Learning by Key Stage:

Key Stage 5 (A-level Psychology) 

Psychology is taught following the AQA A-level specification. In Year 12, students study topics including social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology, alongside research methods and biopsychology. In Year 13, students build on this knowledge through topics such as schizophrenia, forensic psychology, relationships and issues and debates.  

Lessons include discussion, paired and group work, practical demonstrations and regular exam-style practice. Assessment takes place through knowledge checks, exam-style questions and end-of-topic tests to develop subject knowledge and exam technique. 

The course is delivered by two experienced teachers who share planning, resources and student booklets to ensure consistency and continuity across classes. Useful support resources include the AQA Psychology website, tutor2u and the ‘Bear it in Mind’ YouTube Channel.  

Staff

Head of Department: Nikki Mesnard – nem@bishopwordsworths.org.uk  

Teachers of: Emma Imeson- emi@bishopwordsworths.org.uk