Overview
Sociology enables pupils to explore how society shapes our lives. Pupils examine social institutions such as the family, education and the criminal justice system, and consider how inequality, power and identity influence life chances in contemporary Britain.
At Grace Academy, learning Sociology means pupils develop an understanding of issues that affect contemporary society and are able to engage with individuals and groups in the modern world in an empathetic and respectful way.
Across both GCSE and A-Level, pupils develop skills in analysis, evaluation, research and extended writing. Sociology encourages critical thinking, debate and independent judgement, preparing pupils for further study and a wide range of careers.
Teaching Staff
Mr B Pemberton (GCSE)
Miss A Hanson (A-Level)
GCSE Sociology (Eduqas)
Year 10
Summary of Curriculum
In Year 10, pupils are introduced to the foundations of Sociology. They explore how individuals acquire identity through socialisation and examine the role of key institutions such as families and education. Pupils are also introduced to sociological research methods and how evidence is gathered and evaluated.
Main Topics
- Key Concepts and Socialisation – Culture, norms, values, identity, roles, status and the nature/nurture debate.
- Families – Family diversity, changing family patterns, sociological theories of the family (Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, New Right).
- Education – The role of education, processes within schools, patterns of achievement and sociological explanations (Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism).
- Sociological Research Methods – Types of data, research methods, sampling, validity, reliability and ethics.
Assessment Throughout the Year
- Low-stakes knowledge checks
- Extended Writes (including 12-mark and 15-mark exam questions)
- End of topic assessments
- PPE-style assessments
Year 11
Summary of Curriculum
In Year 11, pupils build on their understanding of social processes by examining social structures, inequality and crime. They explore how power and stratification shape life chances and apply research methods to real-world social issues.
Main Topics
- Social Differentiation and Stratification – Class, gender, ethnicity, age and disability; power and authority; poverty and inequality.
- Crime and Deviance – The social construction of crime, patterns of offending, sociological explanations (Functionalism, Marxism, Interactionism, Feminism) and social control.
- Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry – Research design, interpreting data and evaluating sources of evidence.
Assessment Throughout the Year
- Timed exam practice
- Mock examinations (PPE)
- Final GCSE examinations (May/June)
How Parents/Carers Can Support Learning
- Discuss current affairs and social issues in the news
- Support revision of key sociological terminology and theorists
- Encourage structured exam practice and extended writing
- Promote independent reading around contemporary social issues
Character Enrichment Opportunities
- Critical thinking and debate
- Empathy and social awareness
- Respect for diversity and difference
- Confidence in extended written communication
A-Level Sociology (AQA)
Year 12
Summary of Curriculum
In Year 12, students are introduced to core sociological theories and research methods. They study education in depth and develop an understanding of how sociologists investigate society. Students begin to engage with more complex theoretical debates and extended essay writing.
Main Topics
- Education with Methods in Context – The role of education, differential achievement, educational policy and applying research methods to education.
- Research Methods – Quantitative and qualitative methods, theoretical perspectives (positivism and interpretivism), practical and ethical issues in research.
- Families and Households – Family diversity, relationships, demographic change and sociological theories.
Assessment Throughout the Year
- Low-stakes knowledge checks
- Exam-style essays (10, 20 and 30 mark questions)
- End of topic assessments
- PPE-style assessments
Year 13
Summary of Curriculum
In Year 13, students deepen their theoretical understanding and study crime and deviance alongside advanced sociological theory and methods. Students refine their ability to construct sustained, evaluative essays and make synoptic links across the course.
Main Topics
- Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods – Patterns of crime, media and crime, globalisation and crime, green crime, crime control and punishment.
- Theory and Methods – Sociological theory (Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Postmodernism), debates about science, objectivity, modernity and the relationship between sociology and social policy.
Assessment Throughout the Year
- Timed essay practice
- Mock examinations (PPE)
- Final A-Level examinations (May/June) – 3 x 2-hour written examinations
How Parents/Carers Can Support Learning
- Encourage independent reading of sociological research and current affairs
- Support structured essay planning and timed practice
- Discuss contemporary debates about inequality, crime and education
- Promote effective time management and revision planning
Character Enrichment Opportunities
- Independent thinking and intellectual resilience
- Ethical awareness and social responsibility
- Analytical and evaluative judgement
- Confidence in academic debate and extended writing
