Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behaviour. The aim of the Psychology Department at St George's is to encourage pupils to actively engage with the world around them and to develop the key skills of analytical observation and scientific research to find out more about the way people behave and interact.

Our ambition is that the study of psychology enables our pupils to develop a wealth of transferable skills, such as cognitive and communication skills, which supports their studies in a wide range of subjects at university and strongly prepare them for the workplace beyond.

Curriculum
Inside the classroom
Extension and Support
Beyond the classroom

Psychology is offered as an A Level subject at St George’s. Pupils in the Lower Sixth study the foundations of Psychology, focusing on the areas that have come to underpin modern psychological understanding. In the Upper Sixth, the girls study the application of clinical and criminological psychology with a focus throughout on understanding and developing psychological research skills and methods.

Pupils engage in a variety of practical learning activities to develop essential knowledge and understanding of key areas within Psychology, gaining a deep appreciation of the skills of the scientific method. We want our pupils to develop confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills, to show how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Pupils are encouraged to enter a variety of subject-specific competitions throughout the school year and attend a number of Educational Days at local universities to prepare them for future studies beyond St George's. We hold weekly subject clinics to provide tailored, individual support to each pupil as required and our small class sizes mean that every pupil is given the attention they need to reach their full potential.

Our A Level Psychology pupils take part in a variety of trips to support their learning, for example a visit to the London courthouses to understand the justice system.

We also run a weekly Psychology club as part of our extensive co-curricular programme, to encourage the younger girls to develop an interest and enthusiasm for the subject in advance of making their A Level choices.