Senior Curriculum

Sherfield School’s Senior English programme prepares pupils for top academic and career results. Our programme instils a love of literature and culture. Pupils become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, non-fiction and media.

All students will have the opportunity to attend exciting and educational theatre trips which are selected to enhance, deepen and support their understanding of key curriculum texts. Creative writing is a strong focus for all year groups.

English Language

The aims and objectives of the English Language GCSE are to enable pupils to read a wide range of texts fluently and with good understanding of both explicit and implicit meaning. They will analyse and explore
the constructions of both fiction and non-fiction texts, using knowledge gained from wide reading to inform
and improve their own writing. The pupils will enhance their ability to write effectively using Standard
English and grammar appropriately and coherently. This ability to analyse, evaluate and then present their conclusions in an assured manner is a skill widely prized in the employment sector.
This course will also help them acquire and apply a wide vocabulary alongside knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, as well as linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
By the end of the course the pupils will be able to listen to, and understand, spoken language, and use
spoken Standard English effectively. Spoken language will be reported on as a separate grade on the pupil’s
certificate following an internal assessment of a prepared presentation.

English Literature

The principal aim of the English Literature course is to enable pupils to read a wide range of classic
literature fluently to develop good understanding of the written word. In doing this, pupils are required to
make literary and historical connections across their reading, applying existing and new knowledge to explore
fully the meanings in texts.
The course encourages pupils to read widely so as to enhance their appreciation of the depth and power of
English literary heritage.
By the end of the course, pupils will be able to write accurately, effectively and analytically about their
reading, using Standard English. They will have acquired a wide vocabulary, including grammatical
terminology and other literary and linguistic terms required to analyse and explore the content.

Mathematics is one of Sherfield School’s strongest subjects. 

Mathematics pupils develop all-round abilities. They learn facts and the ability to think logically. Senior School teachers ensure pupils achieve National Curriculum skills and progress even further. We prepare students for GCSE, A Levels and ongoing academic study. Individual strengths and weaknesses are identified. Teaching is adjusted to ensure pupils achieve their best academic results. We provide for students across the needs range.

Ability groups

Sherfield School has three ability sets in each year. Key Stage Three students follow an online Mathematics Enhancement programme. Key Stage Four students follow the Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics (1MA1) is provided at two tiers of entry and is still in its infancy, having begun in 2017. The course is more rigorous than previous specifications, with approximately one-third of the first year of the former A Level forming part of the Higher Tier syllabus, and a large part of the former Higher Tier forming part of the Foundation Tier syllabus.

A Level Maths pupils follow the Edexcel A-level Mathematics course (number 9371).

Maths activities and challenges

Sherfield School’s many interested maths pupils take part in a range of exciting activities.

Pupils celebrate Pi Day with mathematical activities. We also hold regular maths clinics and drop in sessions for students of all abilities. Talented students participate in UK Mathematics Trust Challenges.

On Gifted and Talented Maths Challenge Days, pupils from other schools visit Sherfield to participate in Maths Masterclasses.

Science is one of Sherfield School’s strongest subjects.

Our teachers are expert and enthusiastic. Pupils learn well and achieve excellent academic results. Sherfield’s science facilities are excellent. We have five purpose-built laboratories and one theory room. Our Science Department has 6 full-time teachers. We also have two science technicians.

Year 9 pupils have two periods each per week of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pupils are taught by subject specialists.

Year 10 and 11 pupils cover a combination of AQA Science courses.

The majority of students will follow the AQA Combined Science Trilogy Specification. In this course pupils
will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will achieve a qualification that equates to two GCSEs.

This is a linear course, which means that pupils will sit all the examinations in the summer of Year 11. There will be a total of six examination papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each paper is 1 hour
15 minutes long and includes multiple choice, structured/closed, short answer and open response questions.
There is no coursework element to this course but pupils will need to complete 16 required practicals as part
of the course. The contents of the practicals will be assessed in the written examinations.

Triple Science Award

Pupils who have a special interest in Science may opt to complete the Triple Award in Science. By taking this route student will achieve three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
In this course students will study the same topics as the Combined Science GCSE but to a greater depth.
These are linear courses which will all be examined in the summer of Year 11.
Pupils will sit a total of six examinations, each paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. There is no coursework.
However, pupils will need to complete a number of required practicals, the contents of which will be
examined on the written papers.

In Years 12 and 13, pupils can study Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A Level.

Sherfield School’s Senior Art programme instils a strong independent attitude to creative learning and problem-solving.

By choosing Art, pupils are given the opportunity to develop their creative side. They gain confidence and
enthusiasm as they develop technical skills in drawing, painting and composition, and are able to identify
and solve problems using visual forms. Successful pupils will demonstrate an understanding of past and
contemporary art and design practice, and be able to produce artwork that embraces a range of ideas. Pupils are able to work in a wide range of media, including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, textiles and film.

Our programme is taught by Head of Art Lee-Anne Hampson, who is a professional artist.

Pupils are exposed to a wide variety of media, processes and techniques and are given the opportunity to work on a large scale.

Each year pupils work towards a pupil exhibition which showcases the best work from across the year groups.

We run and annual residential Art trip to Devon and days trips to Salisbury Cathedral, BP Portrait award in London, Tate, Farnham Sculpture Park, Roche Court Sculpture park, Oxford alongside other excursions. We also run a senior arts day where pupils can explore new techniques and processes such as glass fusing, body casting, throwing on a pottery wheel, tie dye techniques and much more.

In the senior school pupils are encourage to become Arts ambassadors, and support the arts by generating their own arts projects around the school grounds.

Pupils are encouraged to participate in external arts competitions such as the ISA Arts Competition, Royal Academy Student Show, Royal Mail Stamp competition.

At GCSE & A Level pupils are entered with the AQA exam board.

Studying Art can help pupils in the following careers:
Fine Art, Creative Advisor, Architecture, Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Interior
Design, Industrial Design, Art Education, Art Therapy, Art History, Gallery Direction, Museum Curator,
Art Conservation, Product Design, Fashion Design, Professional Painter, Printmaker, Professional Sculptor,
Professional Photographer, Installation Artist, Performance Artist, Artist in Residence.

A GCSE in Business equips students with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect decision-making. They will develop their understanding of concepts, objectives and terminology, and the impact of contemporary issues on business operations. There are two components which make up the qualification and pupils will study both.

The GCSE in Classical Civilisation provides pupils with a broad, coherent and rewarding study of the
culture of the classical world. They study elements of the literature and visual/material culture of Greece
and Rome and develop an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts.
Pupils complete one component focusing on Myth and Religion (component 1) and one topic from
component group 2, to be awarded the GCSE in Classical Civilisation.

Year 9 to 11 pupils enjoy dedicated Computer Science lessons where they develop knowledge and skills to a very high standard. Students use the well-equipped ICT suite in Buckfield.

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand
and change the world. Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology,
and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and
computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create
programs, systems and a range of content.
Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate. They will be able to express themselves and
develop their ideas through information and communication technology, at a level suitable for the future
workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Pupils are expected to be hardworking and logically minded. They should have a passion for understanding
how computers work, and want to learn how to program. Pupils should be willing to dedicate time away from
the classroom to further their programming skills.
Computer Science is an engaging and practical subject that encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Pupils analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing
and evaluating programs. Looking ahead, jobs related to the subject could include: Games Development,
Managers of IT and Communications Services, Business Analysts, IT Consultants and Systems Developers.

GCSE Design and Technology will prepare pupils to participate confidently and successfully in an
increasingly technological world. Pupils will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design
and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Pupils will get
the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making, as well as to apply technical and practical
expertise.
Design and Technology will suit pupils who enjoy being creative and have imaginative ways of solving
problems. A pupil who has a talent for visualising 3D concepts and is able to transfer those to practical work
and apply technical information would be able to do well on this course.
After taking the GCSE they could go onto to take an A Level in Product Design (3D Design). With further
study at university this could lead to possible careers such as: Product Designer, Furniture Designer,
Jewellery Designer, Automotive Designer, Architect, Engineer Manufacturing, and many more.

This option at GCSE gives pupils the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the
principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.
The majority of the specification will be delivered through preparation and making activities.
Students must be able to make the connections between theory and practice to apply their understanding of
food and nutrition to practical preparation.

The topics covered are:
• Food, nutrition and health
• Food science
• Food safety
• Food choice
• Food provenance

The range of food and ingredients studied reflect the recommended guidelines for a healthy diet based on the main food commodity groups which include:
bread, cereals, flour, oats, rice, potatoes and pasta
fruit and vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, canned and juiced)
milk, cheese and yoghurt
meat, fish, eggs, soya, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds
butter, oil, margarine, sugar and syrup.

Assessment is through one paper and a non-examined assessment.

‘Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?’ Michael Palin

The Geography Department at Sherfield encourages all pupils to develop an awareness of, and interest in, the world around them. Through a variety of teaching methods pupils learn about the physical processes at work on the Earth and how people influence and interact with them.

The study of Geography as a specialist subject from Year R to Year 13, allows pupils to develop an acute awareness and understanding of the world in which they live. They are taught not to accept things at face value, but to ask questions to broaden their horizons and develop their own opinions about world issues.

Geography is truly a cross-curricular subject and pupils develop a wide range of skills, including asking geographical questions, collecting and analysing data, understanding and drawing maps at a range of scales, and using ICT to communicate and develop ideas.

Pupils who choose to study Geography in year 9 follow the AQA exam board. In year 9, the focus is on developing the necessary skills to develop an understanding of the concepts and processes in each of the GCSE units before beginning the course content in the Spring term.

In year 9 the units are:

• Population & Migration
• Weather & Climate Change
• Urbanisation & Development
• Living World (GCSE content begins)
• Resource Management in the UK

In year 10 the units are:

• Resources Management (Food)
• Physical Landscapes in the UK (Rivers and Glaciers)
• Challenges of Urbanisation

In year 11 the units are:

• Challenges of Natural Hazards
• Changing Economic World
• Pre-Release Material

Fieldwork is an integral part of Geography and the Department runs a selection of fieldtrips for most year groups. Fieldwork skills are developed to consolidate concepts introduced in the classroom. All expeditions are undertaken in accordance with the schools outdoor visits / risk assessment procedures and the safety of adults and children is paramount.

Current fieldwork in the Senior School includes:

Year 9 – Microclimate study in and around Sherfield School

Year 10 – River Study of Highland Water in the New Forest

Year 11 – Urban Study of Urban Regeneration in Bristol

A-Level Geography

We follow the Cambridge International Exam Board in Geography, which is a two-year linear course.

The year 12 course has 6 compulsory elements:

• Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology
• Atmosphere and Weather
• Rocks and Weathering
• Population
• Migration
• Settlement Dynamics

The year 13 course includes:

• Coastal Environments
• Hazardous Environments
• Global Interdependence
• Economic Transition

History is very popular at Sherfield.

Sherfield history students achieve excellent academic results in GCSE and A level exams. 

The GCSE History course allows pupils to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of twentieth
century world history and also British history since c.1000. They will develop links between different key events and places in history as well as the ability to identify themes of continuity and change. Pupils will learn how to interpret and analyse why there are different versions of the past but will also learn how to  acquire and apply source evaluation skills using a wide range of sources and analysing them for their utility and reliability. By the end of the course, GCSE History pupils will have gained a life-long interest in history and appreciate the importance of its study, and will also have developed skills in empathy and citizenship.
History is a popular and highly regarded subject at GCSE, A Level and university. It develops skills which
are appropriate for a wide range of degree courses. History leads to a wide range of careers: e.g. the media,
journalism, law, accountancy, business and finance, management, education and the Civil Service.

In Year 9, students investigate the modern world. They begin with WW1 and take a popular visit to battlefields. 

Pupils learn about women’s rights, the Suffragettes and the Holocaust. They debate the use of the atomic bomb.

Holocaust survivors visit the school to share their experiences.

Years 10 and 11 Sherfield history students are well prepared for challenging public exams. 

Topics studied include:

- The rise of the Nazis and Nazi Germany. 

This course examines the rise of the Weimar Republic and life in the Third Reich.  

- The Cold War. 

Pupils learn about the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, Kennedy v Khrushchev and the Cuban missile crisis.

- USA 1917-1941. 

Students consider subjects such as the WWI and the USA, mass immigration, prohibition and gangsterism, mass production, the stock market boom, and the position of black Americans.

- The changing nature of warfare 1936-2003. 

Students examine changing land, sea and aerial warfare. They debate atomic warfare and warfare at the beginning of the 21st century.

 If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.  Nelson Mandela

The Modern Languages department at Sherfield offers French and Spanish as core languages and prepare pupils for top GCSE and A Level results. Bilingual students (in German, Russian, Chinese or Italian for instance) can also take GCSE or A/S and/or A-level examinations in their native languages.

In all our work, equal emphasis is given to the four language skills, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The GCSE course starts in Year 9.

Languages are not compulsory at GCSE level, however we strongly advise pupils at the end of Y8 to take up one or two languages. Having the ability to speak a foreign language is valued highly by employers. Some universities require a language qualification to embark on certain degree courses. A qualification with languages can lead to opportunities in the international jobs market and could enable you to work for a global company, in Finance in the UK or abroad.

Extra-Curricular activities

The languages department run popular language clubs such as French and Spanish conversations or film club.  

Trips provide a first-hand encounter with the language and culture. We currently have an annual and reciprocal educational trip to Normandy and Paris, in partnership with another GEMS school Ecole Des Roches (EDR) in France. Other trips have included a visit to Brussels, Lille and a language study trip to Cadiz.

Visiting theatre companies visit and perform plays in French and Spanish at the school.

The Music Department is a vibrant and busy department and there is a considerable emphasis on performing, which touches the life of the whole school community.  This is because we believe that music plays a fundamental role in a child’s learning and social and personal development.  We strive to enrich every pupil in our school with the opportunity to learn and experience music on all different levels, whether it is in class as part of the curriculum or by learning to play an instrument through individual instrumental tuition.

We offer a diverse, enjoyable and mostly practical music curriculum in which pupils engage in practical group-compositional tasks, computer-based activities and listening topics. These lessons are intended to develop creativity and to prepare the more able students for GCSE Music.

GCSE Music is a popular subject and we follow the EDEXCEL syllabus at Sherfield. This qualification supports pupils in forming personal and meaningful relationships with music through the development of musical knowledge, understanding and skills including performing, composing and appraising. The qualification encourages pupils to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music and musical contexts, develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts, and reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities.
Music is a very rewarding subject in which pupils learn all about different genres and styles of music, and
how to appreciate and understand music from different cultures, which in itself is rewarding and enriching.
Music GCSE pupils are expected to have private instrumental/vocal tuition in addition to class lessons.
Ideally, they should have been singing or playing an instrument for at least 2 years prior to taking GCSE
music. It is helpful to have grades, but it is not essential in order to take GCSE music. Pupils do not have to
be able to read music notation to take this option, although pupils who can will be stretched and challenged
further on this course.
Following GCSE Music, pupils can go on to study A Level or BTEC Music (Performance or Technology) in
the sixth form, but they would also find it good preparation for all sorts of other subjects that use similar
skills. It requires pupils to analyse things by listening, so it’s a good grounding in concentrating and being
perceptive; it also produces good performers and, confident students who are used to being well prepared for deadlines.

Individual tuition and ensembles

The Music Department consists of a strong team of teachers working together to create a very successful and happy department. Sherfield has one full-time Head of Music and 10 excellent and dedicated Visiting Instrumental Teachers, who teach one to one instrumental lessons on a rotating timetable within the school day. 

Individual instrumental tuition is available to all students from years 1-13. Lessons are offered on all woodwind, brass and string instruments as well as voice, piano, drum kit and guitar.

We offer various opportunities for students to participate in ensemble sessions, such as Senior Choir (Sherfield Singers), Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Sherbets (jazz band) and numerous rock bands. We also offer group theory and aural lessons for grades 1-5 which takes place during lunch or break times.

Concerts and Musical productions

Sherfield offers students plenty of opportunities to develop their performing skills in a variety of concerts, musical productions and other events. We offer a variety of concerts every term, in which students of all age groups can perform in public for the first time, as well as performance practice before a music exam. It is an ideal opportunity for the younger students to be inspired by the older and more experienced students!

We are keen to prepare and enter our students for the Associated Board music exams up to three times a year. Our talented musicians are regularly invited to perform as guests in various public concerts and venues and we enjoy getting involved within the community. Top students and scholars are regularly entered for competitions such as ISA Young Musician, Basingstoke Festival of Music and Arts and Rotary competitions and we have enjoyed celebrating some excellent results through these in recent years.

At Sherfield School, we enjoy cross-curricular projects and we regularly work with the English, Dance and Drama department to produce some fantastic musical productions. These include “Grease”, “Bugsy Malone”, “High School Musical” and “Camp Rock”, “Our House”, “Avenue Q”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Wizard of Oz” and “Oliver!” as well as providing some live background music to Shakespeare productions such as “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Romeo and Juliet”. Our last two productions, “Holes” and “School Of Rock”, were performed in the Haymarket Theatre (Basingstoke), and were very successful!

At Sherfield, pastoral and personal care are key at all levels. We place great emphasis on empathy, motivation and social and cultural awareness. Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of Sherfield.

Tutor groups are small and every pupil has a tutor. Each child has a high level of support. Our aim is to ensure each child achieves their full potential in a nurturing environment. We take our partnership with our parents’ very seriously. Tutors contact parents with progress updates. Regular parent information evenings give further contact.

Sherfield School House system

Pupils are placed in one of four Houses: Buckfield, Loddon, Lydney and Wynstow. Children mix with all age groups in their house. Each house has a monthly assembly. Housepoints are awarded for competitions in areas such as sport, art, music, maths, English and languages. Children work together for team success. Each house also raises funds for charity.

 The school provides excellent support and guidance. Tutor groups are small and pupils are known well by their teachers. Staff are fully committed to helping the pupils to achieve the best of which they are capable and relationships between staff and pupils are very positive.  (ISI Inspection Report).

 Pupils demonstrate excellent standards of personal development; they are aware of the needs of others and have caring and responsible attitudes… and show a keen awareness of spirituality; they know right from wrong and appreciate a wide range of cultures.  (ISI Inspection Report).

Personal, Citizenship and Health Education at Sherfield School promotes positive behaviour, mutual respect and self-awareness.

Our school ethos is based on these concepts. Health education and citizenship are taught along with study and employability skills. PCHE is a platform for teaching in all subjects. Pupils learn about healthy lifestyles, building good relationships and understanding their roles in society. We teach PCHE enthusiastically by involving pupils in school life and the local community.

Career guidance

Effective careers guidance is key to each pupil’s future.

Sherfield students develop into well rounded learners with the right skills and competencies for their career goals.

In Year 11, pupils have a week’s work experience. Senior pupils regularly take part in talks and seminars with working and academic professionals. All pupils are supported by a personal tutor. Upper seniors also have a mentor. Aspirational goals are set. This nurturing programme and close parent partnerships helps pupils make the most of their opportunities.

Sherfield School’s senior Photography programme gives pupils an opportunity to work in both a technical and creative way. Over the course they are required to produce a portfolio of work and also complete an externally set timed assessment with AQA.

Our programme is taught by professional Artist in Residence Lee-Anne Hampson.

Pupils are exposed to a wide variety of different styles of photography, processes and techniques and are given the opportunity to manipulate their work digitally. They are also encouraged to be experimental in the production of a final piece.

Pupils are able to use our professional studio lighting to work on portraiture, whilst also being able to use the extensive grounds to develop their landscape photography.

Each term pupils work towards a pupil exhibition which showcases the best work from across the year groups.

We run trips locally and to London to help pupils extend the range of locations available to them for their photo shoots.;

Sherfield School has a thriving Physical Education curriculum. Our facilities and extensive grounds are outstanding. Each pupil learns health and fitness.

Many Sherfield pupils achieve top sports results at regional and national level. Senior school students have one PE lesson and one games afternoon a week. They also enjoy regular fixtures with other schools.

Sports played at Sherfield include football, netball, rugby, cricket, badminton, tennis, cross country running, athletics, basketball, hockey, judo, golf, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, dance, and outdoor adventure activities which include orienteering and caving.

Many Sherfield School pupils complete a Duke of Edinburgh Award in outdoor adventure activities. Our sports teams play competitively at junior and senior level. Sherfield School cricket players often represent county teams. Sherfield School hosts the ISA Cross Country London West Championships every year. We also have a strong partnerships programme with local sports organisations.

We have never known more about the human body and what makes it tick. GCSE PE will give pupils the
opportunity to delve deeper into how the human body works and how to gain the maximum physiological,
psychological and emotional responses possible through practical assessments combined with theoretical
application. Throughout the course, they will study anatomy, movement analysis, how to use technology as
a means to improve, sport psychology and sport in society. The theory element will be underpinned by an
assessment in three different sports.
The sport and leisure industry is one of the fastest-growing industries and taking GCSE PE allows pupils the
opportunity to gain a head start in the workplace. Potential careers include physiotherapy, sports, exercise
and nutrition and sports psychology to name a few. In a society that is becoming ever more health-conscious, GCSE PE gives pupils an advantage in the world of sport as a business. Be that through elite performance analysis, running a private health company or sports journalism the potential careers are endless.

Project Qualifications are an extension from studies for any other qualifications of the same level, can contribute to a programme of study and can be taken as stand-alone qualifications. The Project Qualifications will develop and extend from one or more of the pupils’ study areas and/or from an area of
personal interest or activity outside of your main programme of study. The project will be based on a topic
chosen by each pupil and agreed as appropriate by the school.
The Level 1 Foundation Project qualification is designed to engage and motivate learners with different
capabilities. It encourages pupils that may struggle with traditional academic studies to work on a practical
project and can be used to stretch more-able pupils beyond the standard curriculum.
The Level 2 Higher Project Qualification is an ideal basis for the Extended Project Qualification which
pupils typically take during their post-16 studies. Pupils will discover the joys of independent learning, take
responsibility for their own studies, and develop new life and study skills. It challenges pupils to develop a
project beyond the curriculum and inspires them to develop a practical project based on something they
choose themselves.
Each of the courses will involve some teaching of the necessary skills, supervision and assessment of the
pupil’s progress, but will also involve extended autonomous work by the pupil. It will require in total 60
guided learning hours, allowing the pupil to provide evidence of all stages of project development and
production for assessment as well as deliver a presentation to a non-specialist audience.

To demonstrate their understanding and completion of the project, pupils will need to:
• identify, design and complete an individual project, applying a range of organisational skills and strategies
to meet agreed objectives,
• obtain, critically select and use information from a range of sources. Analyse data, apply it relevantly and
demonstrate an understanding of any appropriate linkages, connections and complexities of the topic,
• select and use a range of skills, solve problems, take decisions critically, creatively and flexibly, to achieve
planned outcomes,
• evaluate outcomes both in relation to agreed objectives and own learning and performance. Select
and use a range of communication skills and media to present evidenced outcomes and conclusions in
appropriate format.
The evidence for assessment will comprise the following:
• a completed Production Log and Assessment Record including the Project Proposal Form, Presentation
Record and Candidate Record Form,
• the project product including a written report and any other evidence, as appropriate, depending on the
topic or subject area chosen.

Psychology is an exciting subject which is popular at Sherfield. 

Studying Psychology teaches students to think logically, support their ideas with evidence and also to understand ‘what makes people tick’.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. On this course, pupils will develop their
understanding of psychological research, including theories for cognitive processes such as memory and
development and social behaviours such as conformity and social influence. Pupils will also be expected to
apply their knowledge of these theories to real-life contexts, and be able to critically evaluate their credibility
as explanations of human behaviour. Throughout the course pupils will be expected to apply their knowledge
of the methods psychologists use to carry out their research to the topics studied and be confident to analyse and interpret the data that psychologists collect from their investigations.
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) specification in Psychology is designed to inspire and engage learners by providing a
broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study which develops an understanding of the ideas and values that characterise ‘self ’ and others. Learners will be equipped with a psychological literacy that enables them to apply their knowledge and skills in their everyday lives, including making informed decisions about further study and career choices.
The GCSE course develops many different skills such as analysing and evaluating psychological ideas,
information, processes and procedures as well as making judgements, drawing conclusions and producing
developments or refinements of psychological procedures based on their reasoning and synthesis of skills. By the end of the course, pupils will be able to demonstrate the contribution of psychology to an understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity and they will also have developed an understanding of the interrelationships between the core areas of psychology.
Psychology is particularly suited to pupils who are curious about people, their thoughts, emotions and
behaviour. The GCSE course introduces pupils to many complex aspects of the human mind, such as
criminal psychology, cognitive development and memory, as well as exploring social, dispositional and
biological explanations of sleep and dreaming, social influence and psychological problems.

Psychology is compatible with most GCSE and A Level combinations. 

“Psychology matches fun with learning. Truly an exciting and intriguing subject.”

“Psychology is my favourite subject and I want to study it at University because we are all humans and understanding why we do things will be invaluable thorough out my life”.

GCSE Religious Studies encourages pupils to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in
debate and discussion about life in a modern pluralistic society. This includes developing an understanding of non-religious beliefs.
Pupils will be encouraged to develop and understand personal values and beliefs, with an emphasis on
critical analysis and the ability to construct balanced and informed arguments within the context of religious,
philosophical and ethical awareness.
The course has two components and three examinations.

Trips support study at senior level. Students recently travelled to Krakow as part of Holocaust studies.

Students also take a cross-curricular Humanities trip to Italy.