Curriculum vision:

Our sociology curriculum is designed to be knowledge-rich, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in the principles of social justice. We want all students to leave our classroom more well-rounded and informed than when they entered, equipped with the sociological knowledge and critical thinking skills to understand society, question inequality, and act with compassion and integrity. Through studying topics such as education, crime, and families, students learn to connect their personal experiences to wider social structures, develop arguments based on evidence, and appreciate different perspectives. Academic rigour is built through explicit teaching of sociological theories, research methods and key studies, with regular opportunities to practise extended writing and critical evaluation.

How is Sociology taught at SJBC?

Sociology is taught through a structured, spiral curriculum that builds knowledge and skills over time. Each topic is sequenced to deepen students’ understanding of key sociological perspectives and concepts, while encouraging them to apply this knowledge to contemporary issues and lived experiences. Lessons combine explicit instruction with active learning strategies such as debates, case studies, exam modelling and retrieval practice. Students are regularly assessed through a range of low-stakes quizzes, extended written responses and timed essays. Key sociological skills—such as interpretation of data, comparison of theories, and critical evaluation—are developed explicitly across the course. Interleaving and regular feedback ensure prior knowledge is revisited and consolidated, helping students to build confidence, fluency and independence in their sociological thinking.

What homework will students do in Sociology?

Sociology homework is meaningful and follows the three-strand homework policy of Pre-learning, Application, and Consolidation. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-learning: Reading articles or textbook extracts, researching statistical data, creating key word glossaries, or watching educational documentaries to build background knowledge.
• Application: Practising exam-style questions, completing past paper tasks, independent extended writing, or applying sociological theory to contemporary examples and news stories.
• Consolidation: Completing knowledge quizzes, creating flashcards or mind maps, reviewing and improving marked work, completing retrieval grids, or rewriting weaker sections of essays based on feedback.

Homework tasks may also involve the use of online platforms such as ExamPro or Seneca Learning to support independent learning and reinforce key content.

How are wider skills – e.g. literacy, oracy, numeracy and independent research – delivered through Sociology?

Sociology offers rich opportunities to develop essential wider skills that support students' academic progress and prepare them for further study and life beyond school.

• Literacy is embedded throughout the curriculum. Students are explicitly taught how to structure extended written responses, use subject-specific terminology, and build arguments supported by sociological evidence. Regular essay writing, use of key word glossaries, and redrafting tasks help strengthen written communication.
• Oracy is developed through class discussions, debates, and structured group work. Students learn to articulate their views clearly, respond to opposing perspectives respectfully, and use sociological language with increasing confidence and fluency.
• Numeracy is applied when students interpret sociological data, analyse trends in crime or education statistics, and evaluate research methods using quantitative data.

Independent research is encouraged through pre-learning tasks, wider reading, and independent investigation of contemporary case studies.