Teaching Pearson/Edexcel A-Level Psychology for the First Time

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The course will focus on practical approaches to teaching, assessment and retrieval, alongside guidance on exam technique, common student misconceptions and making effective use of past questions and model responses. Delegates will leave with a clearer understanding of Pearson Edexcel expectations, a range of ready-to-use teaching and assessment strategies, and a practical plan for delivering an engaging and manageable A-level Psychology course from

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• ECTs teaching A-level Psychology
• Teachers new to teaching A-level Psychology
• Teachers new to teaching the Pearson Edexcel A-level Psychology specification
• Teachers moving from another examination board to Pearson Edexcel

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Develop the confidence and knowledge to teach the Pearson Edexcel A-level Psychology specification effectively across the full ability range
• Gain a clear understanding of the Edexcel course structure, assessment objectives, examination requirements and how student responses are marked
• Identify key areas of the specification that students commonly find challenging and explore practical strategies for teaching them successfully
• Develop effective approaches to teaching research methods, mathematical skills, application and extended writing within the Edexcel specification
• Explore strategies for helping students make stronger links between knowledge, application and evaluation in examination responses
• Gain practical ideas for retrieval practice, assessment, scaffolding and stretch and challenge that can be embedded throughout the course
• Leave with useful resources, teaching approaches and assessment strategies that can be adapted immediately for use in the classroom

PROGRAMME

• Explore the structure and requirements of the Pearson Edexcel A-level Psychology specification and how the three examination papers fit together
• Understand the assessment objectives, command words and different question types students will encounter across the qualification
• Develop an effective scheme of work, considering sequencing, assessment and managing the breadth of content across the two-year course
• Identify key considerations when teaching the specification for the first time and practical ways to plan for progression from the outset

• Explore the structure and content of Paper 1 and identify the key demands students need to master
• Develop practical approaches to teaching the studies, key questions and practical investigations within each topic area
• Understand how command words and assessment objectives shape different examination questions and what students need to demonstrate in their responses
• Analyse examples of higher-, middle- and lower-level student responses to identify what distinguishes stronger answers
• Explore practical strategies for developing students' application, evaluation and extended-writing skills

• Explore the structure and assessment demands of Paper 2, including the compulsory Clinical Psychology component and optional topic requirements
• Develop effective approaches to teaching Clinical Psychology and preparing students to apply their knowledge accurately in unfamiliar contexts
• Explore how research methods and mathematical skills are assessed and practical ways to embed these skills throughout teaching
• Analyse examination questions and model responses to identify common student errors and characteristics of successful answers
• Develop strategies for approaching extended responses, including how to plan, structure and tackle 20-mark questions effectively

• Explore the structure and distinctive demands of Paper 3, including synoptic assessment and the integration of knowledge across the course
• Develop practical and engaging approaches to teaching Issues and Debates and helping students make meaningful links across topic areas
• Explore strategies for preparing students to tackle comparison questions accurately and confidently
• Examine how students can apply psychological knowledge effectively to contextualised and unfamiliar scenarios
• Analyse examination questions and model responses to identify how students can develop stronger application, comparison and evaluation skills

• Explore practical retrieval-practice strategies to help students retain and revisit the substantial volume of content across the A-level course
• Develop approaches to formative assessment, scaffolding and stretch and challenge that can be embedded into everyday teaching
• Consolidate key learning from the day and develop clear priorities for successfully teaching Pearson Edexcel A-level Psychology