Sociology

KS4 Exam Board: AQA

At Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy, Sociology is important because:

The premise of GCSE Sociology is to develop the students ‘sociological imagination’ and for them to understand the social world and our behaviour in it so that they will be able to have a rich understanding of the context of their lives, communities and their futures. The course is designed to create life-long learners by challenging student thinking and developing their understanding about how social processes and structures in society work and how societies influence us and shape our lives. We hope that with this knowledge our students will feel empowered and determined to overcome societal barriers and to become the people they aspire to be.

The course follows the AQA syllabus with students studying the core topics of Education, Families, Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification which are underpinned by key theoretical perspectives and research methods, exploring issues such as inequality, the distribution and use of power and experiences of different social groups in society. Throughout the specification students are expected to be able to critically evaluate different methods of sociological research/data which requires students think like and act like a ‘sociologist’. This skill is transferable to Geography and Science where students are required to do complete research.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to be challenging but also contemporary, topical and relevant using documentaries and the news to make links with the theoretical content of the course. Students are encouraged to develop their opinions along with their evaluative and critical skills. The course is a good foundation to lead onto studying A Level Sociology but also compliments other A-Level choices that students may make, such as Geography, Science or English.

The content is sequenced progressively (students begin with an overview of sociological theory) and with careful thought for embedding the disciplinary knowledge through interleaving (research methods are returned to several times through the 2-year course rather than being taught as one block).

Throughout the curriculum, students are also explicitly taught the disciplinary knowledge required to become an articulate scholar within the field of Sociology. We have identified four disciplinary skills which are returned to regularly and are made explicit in our teaching and have been included in our knowledge booklets.

These are:

(i) interpretation of secondary source material

(ii) evaluative writing,

(iii) evaluation of different research methods and;

(iv) the application of theorists to topics.

It is hoped that the study will contribute to students cross-curricular understanding of Science (through the examination of research), English (through the thematic view of social control) and Geography (through the examination of research and also the impact of feminism in different parts of the world).

In Sociology, we deliver the curriculum through:

• The development and application of subject specific ‘Key Skills’ throughout the curriculum GCSE course:

1.      AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.

2.      AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.

3.      AO3: Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods in order to construct arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.

• The further development , application and integration of wider, more holistic educational skills to allow our students a more well-rounded approach to their studies in Sociology, which also helps prepare them more successfully for their entire GCSE journey at LHEA as a whole.

Wider Key Skills:

Evaluate Key Concepts

Construct Balanced Arguments

Cultural Understanding

Critical Thinking

Independent Learning

Proof-reading

Drafting

Planning

Assessment

·       End of topic formal examinations.

·       Practice exam questions every two weeks as a summative assessment procedure.

·       Different skills assessments each term, eg; in a from other than written exam answers, such a PPT presentations, discussion work, poster work, etc – to allow for a full recognition and diversification of the individual students skills; which allows for further development of the study skills repertoire.

GCSE Assessment

The AQA GCSE Sociology course (specification 8192) is structured around both subject content and assessment, with students studying key areas of society and then being examined through two written papers. The course focuses on developing knowledge of social structures, processes and issues through four main topics: families, education, crime and deviance, and social stratification, alongside an understanding of sociological theory and research methods.

In terms of assessment, the qualification is divided into two equally weighted exam papers: Paper 1 covers The Sociology of Families and Education, while Paper 2 covers The Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification. Throughout the course, students also learn core concepts such as socialisation, culture, and key perspectives (e.g. functionalism and Marxism), as well as how to apply and evaluate research methods within different contexts. The exams use a range of question types to assess knowledge, application, and evaluation skills, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of sociological ideas and their ability to analyse and interpret evidence.

Course content

Year 10

Sociological Approach and research methods:

• Debates within sociology, changes in society over time and how these inform our understanding of the social world

• Key classical sociologists and their views of the world

• Sociological perspectives (eg. Feminist, Functionalist and Marxist) views on social structures, social processes and social issues through reading and responding to extracts from key texts

• Sociological research methods and how they apply in each unit

Sociology of the Family (Paper 1):

• Functions of families

• Family forms

• Conjugal role relationships

• Changing relationships

• Criticisms of families

• Divorce

Sociology of Education (Paper 1):

• Roles and functions of education

• The relationship between education and capitalism

• Educational achievement

• Processes within schools

Year 11

Crime and Deviance (Paper 2):

• Social construction of crime and deviance

• Social control

• Criminal and deviant behavior

• Data on crime

Social stratification (Paper 2):

• Functionalist theory on stratification

• Socio-economic class

• Life chances

• Poverty as a social issue

• Power and authority

• Power relationships

The success of the GCSE Sociology course can be evidenced through a combination of student outcomes, skills development, and engagement with the subject:

1.     Firstly, successful performance in assessments—such as strong exam results and progress data—indicates that students are effectively acquiring the required knowledge and exam skills.

2.     Secondly, in addition to the first point, the course is designed to develop transferable skills including analysis, evaluation, and the ability to construct reasoned arguments, so evidence of students applying these skills across subjects or in extended writing demonstrates its impact.

3.     A third, and equally important sign of achievement within the subject area is through ‘student voice’ with positive feedback showing increased interest in social issues, critical thinking, and awareness of society suggests the course is meaningful and engaging.

4.     A final indication of the successful impact of the GCSE Sociology course at LHEA is the uptake into further study (such as A-level Sociology or related subjects) by our students, which indicates that the course has inspired continued learning.

Together, these measures—attainment, skill development, student engagement, and progression—provide clear evidence that the GCSE Sociology course has been successful.

Revision

Useful Websites

1.      AQA Sociology (official site) – Specification, past papers, and mark schemes. 

2.      Seneca Learning – Interactive revision for all key topics. 

3.      SimpleStudy – Structured, teacher-written revision notes. 

4.      Save My Exams – Clear topic summaries and exam guidance. 

5.      Tutor2u Sociology – Videos, exam support, and revision activities. 

Published Revision Guides 

1.      Collins AQA GCSE (9–1) Sociology All-in-One Complete Revision & Practice – Comprehensive guide with questions and exam practice. 

2.      My Revision Notes: AQA GCSE (9–1) Sociology (Ian Woodfield) – Student-friendly explanations and exam tips. 

3.      AQA GCSE (9–1) Sociology Workbooks (David Bown) – Practice materials for Paper 1 and Paper 2. 

4.      AQA GCSE (9–1) Sociology Student Book (Pauline Wilson) – Full course textbook covering all topics. 

Specialised Assistance

1.      In addition to the above websites and revision guides, I have also designed bespoke Unit guides for each topic, which includes a specific information sheet for every lesson, as well as additional resource materials; all of which are shared with the students.

2.      The Sociology department also shares every Powerpoint resource and additional supporting materials digitally with every student.