Why study GCSE Psychology? (Year 9)

This is one of three lesson plans for teachers introducing Psychology to Year 9 students - whether through standalone Psychology lessons, PSHE, or careers programmes:

• Jobs that use Psychology (Year 9)
• Skills you learn from Psychology (Year 9)
• Why study GCSE Psychology? (Year 9)

These lesson plans will help you show students how Psychology connects to their future careers.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their GCSE choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision. Using all three in sequence gives students a fuller picture: the careers Psychology leads to, the skills it builds, and why it's worth choosing at GCSE.

---

Learning objectives

• Students will understand what studying GCSE Psychology involves.
• Students will recognise the transferable skills Psychology builds.
• Students will see how Psychology connects to a wide range of careers.

---

Before the lesson

• You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
• Open the What can you do with Psychology? page and have it ready on the screen.
• Review the page in full so you know what's in each section.
• Be ready to describe your school's GCSE Psychology syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods - or, if your school doesn't offer it, the colleges nearby that do and what A-Level Psychology will look like later.

---

During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

• Ask students to recall what they learned from the earlier lesson activities:
  • What jobs use Psychology?
  • What skills does Psychology build?
• Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

• Bring up the What can you do with Psychology? page on the classroom screen.
• Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
• Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their GCSE decision:
  • Psychology at GCSE - What the course covers in general.
  • Subjects that pair with Psychology - Which other GCSE choices work well alongside it.
  • Where Psychology can take you next - How GCSE leads into A-Level and beyond.
• Briefly outline your school's GCSE Psychology offer, exam board, and assessment methods - or note that A-Level Psychology doesn't require GCSE Psychology, so the door stays open either way.

3. Is Psychology right for you? (10 mins)

• Ask students to think about whether GCSE Psychology is a good choice for them.
• Prompt them with questions:
  • Are you curious about why people behave the way they do?
  • Do the skills Psychology builds interest you?
  • Do any of the jobs Psychology leads to appeal to you?
  • Does Psychology pair well with the other subjects you're considering?
  • Are you comfortable working with numbers and graphs as well as writing about people?
  • Are you willing to read about real research - including studies involving children, mental health, and difficult behaviour - and think carefully about what they show?
• Close by reminding students to choose subjects they enjoy. Interest and engagement are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

---

After the lesson

• Share the What can you do with Psychology? page with students and their parents/carers:
  • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-psychology
• Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
• Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
• Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
  • Activity name: Year 09 - Why study GCSE Psychology?
  • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers