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The Howard Partnership Trust (THPT) is a Surrey based Multi-Academy Trust, comprising four secondary, six primary and two special schools with two further under development. We are proud of our ethos of collaboration and inclusion, "Bringing out the best" in students of all abilities and backgrounds. Visit website

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Sociology

Level GCSE
Exam Board AQA
Website www.aqa.org.uk

Why study Sociology?

Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to students’ lives. It encourages a questioning approach to topical issues and helps students to think for themselves about Britain today.

This is a ‘living subject’ that helps students analyse and better understand the society in which they live.

The new Sociology GCSE is a linear course, which will all be assessed by two formal exams at the end of Year 11.

What will we study?

Topics we cover include how far a person’s social class influences their life chances, the causes of crime, and changes in the family such as the increase in lone parent families and why there is a gap between male and female achievement at school.

  • During lessons there are a variety of tasks, including exam style questions
  • Homework involves learning key words and definitions, practising exam questions including essay writing and revising for assessments
Unit 1 Unit 2
· Families
· Education
· Crime and Deviance
· Social Stratification

How will your work be assessed?

Students study GCSE Sociology throughout Year 10 and Year 11.  Two exams - Paper 1 and Paper 2 - are taken in the summer of Year 11.  Both exam papers are 1 hour 45 minutes. 

Exam Papers

  • Paper 1: Section A - Families, Section B - Education (50% of overall grade)
  • Paper 2: Section A - Crime and Deviance, Section B - Social Stratification (50% of overall grade)

There are a range of short and extended (essay) responses required on both exam papers. It is best suited to students who enjoy discussion, current affairs and extended writing.

Post-16 Choices

Sociology department also offers A-Level Sociology. Many GCSE students choose to continue studying Sociology in the Sixth Form.

It is a very useful subject for numerous jobs; it develops skills such as the ability to work with and understand people that is important for many college courses, for example Public Services.

Staff Contact
Mrs S Skitt - sskitt@oxtedschool.co.uk