Sociology

Curriculum Vision

The Sociology department believes that every individual pupil can achieve personal excellence. The departments aim is to develop pupils understanding of people and the diverse societies in which they lived in their past and present day lives. The department also aims to develop students understanding of the influence of their setting and environment on human activity by studying a continuum of historical and contemporary perspectives and how society developed alongside these. Sociology is the study of how society is organised and how we experience life. Sociology enables us to understand the structure of society, and connections and patterns in human behaviour. The course is designed to give students the opportunity to focus on their own experience of the social world, whilst encouraging them to build on this knowledge by analysing and reflecting on different aspects of society.

University and Careers

University

A Level sociology gives our students a strong foundation for further study of a range of academic subjects at degree level. The knowledge our students  earn can be applied to all aspects of society as they provide a variety of academic skills especially thinking critically about the world. Studying sociology at university level allows students to explore all the processes within contemporary society on a wider scale, including the understanding of issues such as around bereavement.

Careers

There are many careers where a qualification in sociology is useful. Many go into social work – community projects, charity work, welfare advisors and other areas of social services. Other careers include civil service, prison officers, journalists, police and teaching. A qualification in sociology will provide you with many key skills, including logical thinking, planning, research and negotiation – all of which can be used in a variety of careers. Students can progress and take an interdisciplinary degree that gives students the theoretical tools and knowledge to better understand the social-political world, why social inequality persists and how life experiences intersect with wider social structures, such as 'race', class and gender. The knowledge and skills that students will build on this subject course are highly valued in today's world of work and will build their capacity as a thinker, communicator and analyst. It will enable the student to become a competent, critical and responsible researcher of the social world with the ability to make informed choices about research methods and apply them competently.

Sociology Curriculum Journey

The Sociology Team

Ms Kathrynn Lanaway – Teacher in charge of Sociology

Ms Melanie O'Brien – Head of Social Sciences

For more information on our curriculum, please email melanie.obrien@walthamstow-academy.org for a copy of our department curriculum handbook.