Psychology Newsletter
Autumn 2015
Contents
1
Introduction
2
Key Dates
3
Legacy GCE AS/A Level Specification
4
New WJEC GCE AS/A Level Psychology
4
CPD Events
5
Reports
5
Examiner and Moderator Vacancies
5
CPD Presenters
6
Resources
6
Results/Item Level Data
7
Psychology Contacts
7
Welcome to Rachel Dodge
On September 1st 2015, Rachel Dodge began her role as Psychology Subject Officer at the
WJEC.
Rachel has 18 years' experience in Secondary, FE and HE as a Psychology teacher, Head
of Department and Director of Wellbeing. She is currently in the last year of her PhD
researching 'Measuring & enhancing wellbeing in Further Education Students' which has led
to papers in international journals (Dodge et al. 2012; Wassell & Dodge, 2015). Last year
she presented her research at the International Wellbeing and Public Policy Conference in
New York.
Rachel is very much looking forward to working with colleagues across Wales and England
at this time of significant change for Psychology.
Rachel Dodge
 029 2026 5302
 rachel.dodge@wjec.co.uk
2
Key Dates
Summer 2016 examinations have now been scheduled for GCSE and GCE qualifications.
The key dates are now available on the WJEC website. Please refer back to the webpage
for the latest version as the document is regularly updated.
View Key Dates
3
Date
Event
01/09/2015
Entry Deadline
16/05/2016
Unit 1/ PY1 Examination
23/05/2016
Unit 2/ PY2 Examination
06/06/2016
GCSE Unit 1 Examination
08/06/2016
PY3 Examination
09/06/2016
GCSE Unit 2 Examination
14/06/2016
PY4 Examination
Legacy GCE AS/A level specification
WJEC will continue to meet the needs of both Wales and England across the full spectrum of our
GCE qualifications. The subject content of the current WJEC GCE specifications will remain up to
and including final assessment in summer 2017.
Resources
The following GCE AS/A level 2015 papers may be downloaded and copied free of charge from
the WJEC Secure Website by all WJEC registered centres:
PY1:
Approaches in Psychology
PY2:
Core Studies & Applied Research Methods
PY3:
Research Methods & Issues in Research
PY4:
Controversies, Topics & Applications
Centres can also make use of our online exam review. This free service allows teachers to
analyse item level data, critically assess sample question papers and receive examiner
feedback.
You can also find online e-books for PY3 and PY4 on our digital resources page.
New WJEC GCE AS/A level Psychology
Teaching from Sept 2015
The Specification, Sample Assessment Materials and Teacher's Guide are all available for
centres on our website.
View A level specification
View A level Sample Assessment Materials
View A level Teacher's Guide
View AS level Component Summary
Please visit the GCE AS/A level qualification page for the latest information. Each page is
regularly updated with new information and resources.
4
Oxford University Press has published a second edition of the WJEC Psychology AS
book which has been endorsed by WJEC for use alongside the specification in supporting
the teaching of AS Psychology. In addition to this we are working closely with them to
publish their next book entitled Psychology A Level, Book 2.
Some interesting and relevant articles for candidates can be found in the publication
Psychology Review. Subscriptions can be purchased here.
CPD Events
It was lovely to see so many of you at our recent CPD events. The resources from the day
are available to download here.
During these events we took the opportunity to ask teachers whether they would be willing
for us to share their contact details if another centre in their area contacted us. We are so
grateful that a large number of teachers have already agreed to be added to our data base.
If this is something you would also be willing to do please email Robert.Williams@wjec.co.uk
Reports
Principal Examiners' Reports
The principal examiners' reports for June 2015 are now available on the Psychology
webpages. Centres are advised to read the report carefully as it provides helpful
observations and commentary on the work produced for this series and can assist teachers
in preparing their students for the next series of examinations.
Examiner and Moderator Vacancies
We value the contribution you as experienced teachers and lecturers make in assessing
students’ work, ensuring that candidates are given a fair result which accurately reflects their
ability. If you are interested in examining for us, please apply online via https://appointees.wjec.co.uk.
5
CPD Presenters
WJEC is looking to appoint subject specialists to add to our team of presenters who
undertake occasional CPD training for teachers. The work will include visits to schools or
colleges requiring further information on our new GCE specification and presenting at our
CPD events across England and Wales. Applications are therefore invited from serving and
former teachers and others with an educational background in one of the subject areas. As
WJEC qualifications are increasing in popularity across both countries, we welcome interest
from both England and Wales. Serving teachers should check with their line manager that
they may be released for up to five days per year. To apply please visit our appointees
page.
Resources
WJEC Website
www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/psycholo
gy/
Secure Website
www.wjecservices.co.uk/
Subscribe for updates
newsletter.wjec.co.uk/
Digital Educational Resources
resources.wjec.co.uk/
Online Exam Review (OER)
www.oer.wjec.co.uk/
6
Visit the [GCSE and AS/A level Psychology]
qualification pages for the latest information and to view
all qualification documents. Each page is regularly
updated with new information and resources.
WJEC's Secure Website features a range of exclusive
resources which are not available on the Eduqas public
website.
Subscribers will receive regular email updates for
important news, resources and developments relating
to our qualifications.
WJEC's dedicated resources team continue to develop
a range of digital education resources to support the
teaching of our [Religious Studies] qualifications.
Our OER website is an interactive teaching and
learning tool based on actual responses to exam tasks.
Bringing together questions, exemplar material, marking
schemes and examiner comments online, it is
particularly useful in the classroom.
Exam Results Analysis (ERA)
www.wjecservices.co.uk/
This facility allows teachers to compare the
performance of individual students and the
centre's entry as a whole with that of all WJEC
candidates for a particular qualification.
Results/Item Level Data
UMS and raw mark grade boundaries for this summer's exams are now available. The Item
Level Data analysis for your centre can be accessed on the secure website under Walled
Garden > Item Level Summary
For further information, a presentation on accessing and using Item Level Data is available.
Contacts
GCE AS/A & GCSE level Subject Officer
GCE AS/A level & GCSE Subject Support
Officer
Rachel Dodge
Robert Williams
029 2026 5302
029 2026 2313
rachel.dodge@wjec.co.uk
robert.williams@wjec.co.uk
Useful WJEC Contacts
7
GCE Level Section Head
GCSE Section Head
Kieran McDonnell
Mags Franks
029 2026 5148
029 2026 5066
kieran.mcdonnell@wjec.co.uk
mags.franks@wjec.co.uk
Entries Head
Bookshop Manager
Catherine Chammings
Caroline Redman
029 2026 5194
029 2026 5042
catherine.chammings@wjec.co.uk
caroline.redman@wjec.co.uk
Feedback is always welcome!
Rachel Dodge
WJEC Psychology Subject Officer
8