Hagley Catholic High School
Principal: Mr J Hodgson

Called as God’s family, we strive to achieve our personal best, by living and learning in Christ.

Our Criminology Department

Criminology at Hagley is a highly specialised course taught at Advanced level in the sixth form. The Department is made of two teachers.

 

To view the curriculum mapping document and the 'learning journey' poster for Criminology, then please click on the links below. If you have any queries then please contact the Subject Leader.

Subject Overview

Vision

Not all types of crime are alike. What types of crimes take place in our society? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? Why do people commit crimes? What happens to those who commit a crime? Why and how do we punish people? All these questions will be explored in Criminology, by understanding the reasons why people commit crimes and what happens within the legal system to control and reduce criminal behaviour.

At Hagley, Criminology is an Applied qualification offered only within our sixth form, with elements of Psychology, Law and Sociology that complements studies in Humanities. Students gain a knowledge and understanding of these subject areas through a variety of vocational and academic lessons. It equips them with a range of transferrable skills that can be used in a number of legal and non-legal career paths.

Please note that the Certificate and Diploma is awarded Grades A*to E and carries the same UCAS points as A-Levels.

Year 12

We follow the WJEC specification. In Year 12 students will work towards the Applied Certificate in Criminology. On successful completion of Year 1, they will be awarded a formal qualification that they can put on UCAS applications.

Year 1 is broken down into two distinct units, each with the common purpose of equipping students with knowledge and understanding of crime that occurs within our society, with the view to changing behaviour:

UNIT 1: Changing Awareness of Crime

This internally assessed unit provides learners with knowledge of the range of crimes that can be committed in society, the reasons why some crimes are unreported and the consequences of unreported crime. They also explore how crime is portrayed in the media. Finally, learners will also study a range of campaigns for change, so that they can gain the skills required to formulate their own small-scale campaign on an underreported crime.

UNIT 2: Criminological Theories

This externally assessed unit provides learners with knowledge of a wide range of criminological theories, so that the can understand why people commit crime. This will include biological, individualist and sociological theories. They will explore a wide range of leading Criminologists and Sociologists through this unit.

Year 13

In Year 13, students will work towards the Applied Diploma in Criminology. The year is broken down into a further two units, each with the purpose of providing students with knowledge and understanding of the legal processes within the criminal justice system, and how the criminal justice system can achieve social control:

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom

This is an internally assessed module. Students will develop the understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified, to the verdict. Learners will develop the skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases. This will include gaining the skills required to analyse a crime scene, reviewing testimonial and forensic evidence, as well as understanding the framework that regulate the Police and Court systems.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment

This unit is externally assessed through a written examination, which is a series of scenario and non-scenario based questions. In this unit, students gain knowledge of the personnel involved in criminal matters and how they work collaboratively. Students will also examine different mechanisms that exist within society to achieve social control, including sanctions that can be given by the court, as well as how environments can be designed to reduce crime.  

Assessment

Each unit studied in year 1 (units 1 and 2) equate to 50% of the final grade awarded for the Certificate. In year 2, these are then reduced to 25%, where the remaining two units (units 3 and 4) also contribute 25% towards the student’s final grade.

In each unit, students will undertake an assessed piece of work on completion of each assessment criteria studied. The assessments will vary in task, dependent upon the skills required for the sub-unit being studied. The work produced will link towards the module of assessment required; units 1 and 3 are internally assessed so the work produced will support students in achieving a solid grade in their controlled assessment. Units 2 and 4 are externally assessed so the students will be required to usually complete tasks, which are geared towards the method of assessment required, e.g. examination knowledge and skills.  

Unit 1 Method of Assessment

Internally assessed controlled assessment.

Students are required to produce a small-scale campaign for change based on an under-reported crime. This includes planning the campaign, producing the materials, as well as justifying the choices they make throughout their campaign.

Unit 2 Method of Assessment

Externally assessed examination.

Students will sit a one and a half hour examination, where they will be required to complete three scenario based questions based on criminological theories.

Unit 3 Method of Assessment

Internally assessed controlled assessment.

Students will be required to produce a portfolio of evidence, based on a pre-released brief. Students will have to review the case (and a number of other criminal cases) and review the validity of these cases in achieving justice.

Unit 4 Method of Assessment

Externally assessed examination.

Students will sit a one and a half hour examination, where they will be required to complete three scenario based questions based on the Criminal Justice System.

Extra-Curricular

The teachers will devise a range of activities to facilitate learning and this is based on students working independently inside and outside of the classroom.

Visits will take place to a variety of organisations that are relevant to this course, as the opportunities arises. This may include the Magistrates and Crown Courts and the Houses of Parliament, including guest speakers within lessons from the Police, Probation Service and a variety of Legal Personnel.