Psychology

What We Study

Psychology explores human behaviour, thinking and emotion. Students learn how psychologists investigate questions about memory, development, mental health and social influence. The curriculum encourages curiosity, critical thinking and an understanding of what shapes human behaviour.

Key Stage 5

Students study core approaches, research methods and applied psychology topics. They learn how to analyse data, evaluate theories and understand the scientific processes behind psychological research. The course develops strong analytical and evaluative skills that prepare students for further study.

Beyond the Classroom

Psychology students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that help them connect their classroom learning to real world behaviour and the work of practising psychologists. Year 12 students explore different psychological approaches, including Freud’s psychodynamic perspective, and have the opportunity to visit the Freud Museum in London, where they can see Freud’s famous psychoanalytic couch and learn about the lives and contributions of both Sigmund and Anna Freud. As students progress into Year 13, they apply their knowledge to contemporary issues such as mental health and take part in workshops on topics like schizophrenia, helping them understand how psychological theory informs real world practice.

The department encourages educational visits that broaden students’ understanding of human behaviour, with future opportunities including museums such as the Science Museum, the Foundling Museum and the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, as well as visits to London Zoo, sleep research centres, prisons, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey. Students may also attend talks by leading psychologists and events such as Psychology Live in Disneyland Paris. These experiences, alongside experiments, case studies and wider reading, help students deepen their understanding of psychology and appreciate its relevance to everyday life.