Psychology

Head of Department: Mr Favager

Psychology is a recent addition at South Wirral but the subject is slowly increasing in size. Currently there is 1 AS level group and 1 A2 level group.

From September 2007 Psychology will be introduced at KS4 with two groups being taught.

The A level syllabus (AQA) involves 6 modules completed over two years with 3 AS modules and 3 A2 modules.

The AS level modules include topics such as abnormality, social and research methods. The A2 level modules involve topics such as Schizophrenia, depression and phobias. As well as covering these subjects, the students will also be carrying out their own psychological experiment.

The newly introduced G.C.S.E. is also taken from the AQA board and will cover a similar set of topics to A level. The courses will compliment each other and the G.C.S.E will give students background and knowledge to help them to progress to the full A level.

Psychology is one of the fastest growing A level subjects with almost 60,000 students taking the AQA syllabus alone. Places at University on Psychology courses are heavily subscribed and good grades at A2 are required, however the rewards are great. A Psychology degree opens up many career pathways in areas such as marketing, advertising, health, law enforcement and the armed services. Further study can allow individuals to become qualified Psychologists in various fields including clinical (treating mental disorders), forensic and criminal (working with the police) and educational (working in schools and with children).

The key to understanding Psychology is to understand life. The teaching methods we use are designed to make the course subjects relevant to the everyday lives of our students .

Questions about any aspects of the Psychology courses can be directed to the current Head of Psychology, Mr Favager.

Mr Favager has been the Head of three different Psychology departments over the last ten years. As well as teaching Psychology, Mr Favager is a senior examiner in Psychology for AQA and is the Principle examiner in Psychology for WJEC.