Welcome
A Level Psychology
Make a difference
Contents
• Introduction to OCR
• Introduction to Psychology
A Level
Psychology
• Why change to our specification?
• Support and training
• Next steps
About OCR
• Part of Europe’s largest
assessment agency, Cambridge
Assessment
• UK’s leading awarding body
• Over 13,000 centres choose our
qualifications
• Qualifications are developed in
consultation with teachers
Our Mission
Our commitment is to provide qualifications which engage
learners of all ages whether at school, college, in work and part time training
programmes so they achieve their full potential
make a difference
Practical
Accessible
Innovative and exciting
Our Credentials
• Leading the way with new
ideas
• Dedicated to offering
respected qualifications
• Engaging and relevant
qualifications
• Comprehensive support
framework
Psychology Credentials
• Hugely popular specification
• Loved by teachers
• Renowned core studies unit
unique to OCR
• Developed in consultation
• Expert team of respected
examiners
• Supported by world
renowned psychologists
working in HE
Key points of the specification
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Straightforward structure
Focused content
Practical approach to research
New and improved support
Improved progression from AS to A2
Psychology | AS Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
G541 Psychological Investigations
Learners become familiar with four
techniques for collecting/analysing data:
Self-report experiment, observation and correlation.
They can conduct their own small investigations
and make a record of their activities if they wish
G542 Core Studies
Learners build knowledge and
understanding of 15 psychology studies/
They demonstrate evaluation skills and an
appreciation of wider psychological
approaches/perspectives, theories, issues
and debates. They make comparisons and
distinctions between core studies and
examine the broader context of general
debates within psychology.
Psychology | A2 Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
G543 Options in Applied Psychology
Learners have the opportunity to
study two areas of applied psychology
from four options: Forensic
Psychology, Health and Clinical
Psychology, Psychology of Education
and Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
G544 Approaches and research methods in
Psychology
This unit is made up of two parts:
•Research methods (design of a practical
project
•Structured questions bringing together
approaches, perspectives, methods, issues
and debates covered throughout the course.
Stretch and Challenge
Stretch and Challenge is a new QCA initiative for A Levels:
• Included in A2 assessment
• Reflected in the style of question asked which invite a greater variety of
thinking
• Questions are structured to show more connections between different
sections of the specification
• Extended writing is encouraged in all subjects (except Maths0
• A wider range of question types – like case studies and open ended
questions
• More synoptic assessments – exploring connections between different
areas and levels of a subject
What’s in it for you?
• Logical and practical to teach
• Provides opportunity to use a
variety of interesting and
motivating stimuli in the
classroom
• Access to exciting new and
improved support
• Happy and interested learners
• Easy to administer
• Enjoyable and rewarding to deliver
What’s in it for your learners?
• Interesting and captivating course
• Opportunity to be ‘Psychologists’,
and learn about research by doing
research
• Opportunity to study applied
areas of Psychology at A2 that
most interest them
• Stretch and challenge
opportunities for most able
learners
What’s in it for your school?
• More learner enrolments
• Good progression routes
into HE/FE
• Deliver a course offering
solid transferable skills
New and Improved Support
BPS Resources
• Free resources mapped to
the OCR specification
• Articles related to core
studies
• News and interviews with
Psychologists featured in the
OCR specification
• Wider reading
New and Improved Support
Our support:
• More INSET
• Overarching scheme of work
• Individual lesson plans for
each unit
• Teacher Guidance Document
• Coursework consultancy
• Guide to what has changed
• Past papers available on line
New and Improved Support
OCR E-community
• E forum of practicing
teachers and examiners
• Share resources and
ideas with peers
• Access advice from
fellow teachers and
examiners
New and Improved Support
New core studies posters
• Free of charge via OCR
website
• Introduces each core study
• Covers key topics and
themes
• Sponsored by BPS
New and Improved Support
Heinemann Resources
• AS & A2 student books
• Free exam café CD ROM in
every book
• Planning and delivery packs
for teachers
• Includes CD ROM of
interactive materials, videos
and activities
• Revision guides
Next Steps
• Book training/events - www.ocr.org.uk/training
• Bookmark website for further information/future updates –
www.ocr.org.uk
Other qualifications
•GCSE Psychology
•GCSE and A Level Sociology
•A Level Critical Thinking