Key Stage 5

The course is structured around key units that provide a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system:

​

• Changing Perception of Crime: This unit involves a study of "hidden crimes," such as hate crime, honour crime, and domestic violence, and how they are portrayed by the media. Students will have the opportunity to create materials for a campaign to reduce criminality, applying their learning in a practical way.
   

• Theories of Criminality: We explore different theoretical explanations for why people commit crimes, including biological, sociological, and psychological theories. Students learn to apply these theories to a range of criminal behaviours, from gang membership and serial killers to female crime.
   

• Crime Scene to Court Room: This unit guides students through the entire process of a criminal investigation. They will learn about the roles of key professionals, including profilers, SOCOs (Scene of Crime Officers), police, and lawyers. A key part of the assessment involves students analysing evidence to determine the guilt of a convicted offender.
   

• Crime and Punishment: The final unit focuses on how society controls offenders and the effectiveness of current systems. Students will consider the work of various agencies involved in the Criminal Justice System, such as the probation and prison service, and debate whether our approach to punishment is working.

​

This course is ideal for students with an interest in law, criminology, and sociology, and it provides an excellent foundation for careers in the legal profession, law enforcement, or social services.