The aim of Sociology is to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge that are valued by higher education and employers including critical analysis, independent thinking and application.

Some topics are governed by the specification; these include education with methods in context, theory and methods, and crime and deviance. Students are also taught options such as families and households and media. Students learn to apply their understanding from the perspectives in Sociology and differing sociological concepts to the topic areas.

The topic areas that have been chosen aim to encourage students to develop an understanding of different social groups such as gender, ethnicity and social classes within institutions that they are familiar with. The intent is for students to develop critical thinking and analysis skills and to develop understanding of how the structures in society contribute to how different groups experience life.

Sociology is only taught at KS5 at Waddesdon. However, some new students coming from other schools have studied Sociology at KS4. The KS5 curriculum builds on what they learn about the foundations of Sociology and relevant topic areas and increases in demand in terms of analysis and application over the course. The Sociology department has a strong ethos of developing active learners, who are equipped with the skills they need in which to succeed, both in their A Levels and in their lives beyond. The nature of Sociology means that application is current and always changing, with new examples being drawn upon within lessons.

A-Level Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 12 and 13:

Paper 1:

• Education
• Methods in Context
• Theory and Methods

Paper 2:

• Families and Households
• Media

Paper 3:

• Crime and Deviance
• Theory and Methods

Within the classroom, students engage with carefully selected films, documentaries, and podcasts that are directly linked to course content. These resources deepen their understanding of contemporary issues and enable them to explore how sociological concepts apply to real-world society. In addition, we are organising a visit to Karl Marx’s grave, providing an authentic learning experience designed to bring Sociology to life, provoke critical reflection, and stimulate meaningful discussion.

We stretch and challenge our students through a wide range of academic resources and independent learning opportunities. Students have access to both online and paper textbooks, curated reading recommendations, and extended reading materials available on Teams. We promote high-quality digital learning through platforms such as Tutor2U, and encourage independent revision using AI-supported self-assessment. In addition, students benefit from access to Sociology resources, including specialist websites and Sociology Review, alongside a full bank of past papers. All materials, guidance, and revision tools are centrally organised on Teams to support ongoing academic development.

Across all topic areas, there are several journal articles, newspaper reports and further reading that are provided for students to help further their understanding and encourage a thirst for knowledge. This also supports the students in their understanding and application of sociology in the real world