Sociology - a Beacon Department

Caroline Walker

Caroline has examined every unit within the AS and A2 specification, and is at present a Senior Examiner for an AS written paper, an A2 synoptic paper and both AS and A2 coursework modules. She is also a coursework adviser for one of the major examining boards.

She believes that sharing ideas about, for example, videos, programmes and textbooks, helps everybody. In fact, most of the best ideas come from discussions with others!

Caroline has established a series of network meetings for Sociology teachers.

Sharing Success: Opportunities to share good practice among members of the teaching profession.

Read reviews of past events for this subject:

Sociology Workshop Improving AS/A2 Grades >>

AS/A2 SOCIOLOGY: PREPARING TO TEACH THE NEW SPECIFICATION
April 2008

This Sociology Beacon event was lead by Rob Webb, Chief Examiner for a well known examination board.

This was a very useful day attracting teachers to join the thriving network group already established during previous Sociology events.

AS/A2 SOCIOLOGY: IMPROVING GRADES NOW AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
April 2007

This event was lead by Rob Webb. Principal Examiner for AQA. The workshop covered the synoptic paper, with specific references to Crime and Deviance. The afternoon session covered the new specifications being taught from September 2009.

Quotes from attendees at this Beacon event:

"Always useful to share good practice and meet other tutors.  Excellent to work with senior examiners."

"It was a super day.  Rob was, as usual, clear and helpful."

STANDARDISING SOCIOLOGY: A LEVEL COURSEWORK AND TEACHING THE SYNOPTIC PAPER
March 2006

A group of teachers from High Wycombe, Windsor, Reading, Thame, Henley, Abingdon and Street met together to standardise their marking of A2 coursework. This exercise enabled them to exchange ideas about coursework teaching and clarify problem areas.

After lunch attendees discussed tactics for teaching the synoptic paper and based the session around the June 2005 paper. Advice on interpreting the mark scheme was given and resources and ideas were exchanged.

Quotes from attendees at this Beacon event:

"Extremely helpful materials to take away"

"Useful to discuss with others and feel confident in what I am doing"

"Always useful to meet other Sociology teachers and share good practice"

SOCIOLOGY WORKSHOP: COURSEWORK MARKING FOR SOCIOLOGY
March 2005

Caroline Walker led a very successful workshop on Coursework Marking for Sociology at Bix Manor. Caroline is a Coursework Adviser for a major Examining Board, and attendees at the workshop benefited from her sound advice and experience.

If you are interested in a similar event, or would like to join the Network, please contact beacon@henleycol.ac.uk or contact Caroline Walker (01491 634119)