Able and Talented students in Psychology
Provision within Psychology and enrichment offered

Annual trip to the “Pseudo-Science and Science Conference” in the Colston Hall. This is organised by the text
writers for Psychology A Level and provides a range of inspiring lectures by eminent Psychologists within their
fields.

Bi-annual trip to London to attend the “Professor Phillip Zimbardo Conference”. Zimbardo is a worldrenowned American Social Psychologists whose infamous Stanford Prison Experiment findings have been
usefully applied to understand and improve penal systems worldwide. These to trips have inspired many
students over the years to read Psychology in higher education.

Students download the Guardian App to ensure their political, social and cultural knowledge is challenged as
much as possible (as well as reading a rang of quality news resources and documentaries etc).

Able students encouraged to complete the Extended Project based on areas of their choice in the field of
Psychology. This put them in a strong position when applying to Russell Group universities.

Teachers provide a range of more challenging resources such as more challenging academic documents and
the “Psychology Review” magazine published by Philip Allan Updates. We also encourage students to read the
British Psychological Society’s magazine “The Psychologist” and use a range of websites with interesting
articles and some good teaching aids, such as Podology, Psychlotron and Psychexchange. Such readings
prepare students well for University as wider reading is expected.

These are all in addition to the classroom differentiation to support more able and talented students.
Identification criteria and / or characteristics of more able / talented Psychology student

Students who have a Target Grade of A (based on mean GCSE score predictors)

Students who gain A/A* grades in English Language and English Literature at GCSE
ASPIRE: Where can the more able and talented students within Psychology aspire to progress

Top Russell Groups Universities to read Psychology.

Cambridge, Oxford and Bath Universities rank as the top three Universities in the UK to study Psychology at
present.

In recent years high achieving Psychology students have shown preferences, in particular, for Exeter
University, Bath University and Cardiff University.
BELIEVE: In order to achieve these aspirations students should:

Achieve mostly A grades at A2 Level in all of their subjects. Psychology entry requirements are very
competitive in Russell group universities. Bath University, for example, has typical entry requirements of A*
AA at A2.

Oxford University offers courses in Experimental Psychology and Psychology, Philosophy, Linguistics. The
typical offer is again A* AA at A2 Level and the website offers a range of wider readings in preparation for
selection.

Any student wishing to undertake a career as a Psychologist should aim to find some relevant work experience
whilst in the Sixth Form, eg with an Educational Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist.

Show commitment to study by considering doing the Extended Project, which ideally they would start
preparing at the end of Year 12 and complete early in Year 13.

Continually reading academic articles relating to their studies and their particular psychological area(s) of
interest.
SUCCEED: Success stories from Nailsea school
Last year one student achieved an A* in Psychology and is now reading Psychology at Cardiff University. This student
was awarded the Nailsea School Psychology Award (2014).
The year before one student met the demanding Bath University requirement of As but in particular an A* in
Psychology to read Psychology at Bath University. They have expressed an interest in Clinical Psychology as a career
and were warded the Nailsea School Psychology Award in 2012.
More able and Talented coordinator for this subject
Sue Davies, Curriculum Leader for Psychology and Sociology, SDavies2@nailsea.n-somerset.sch.uk