Teaching Psychology in schools and colleges

The ATPS is the Scottish branch of the UK Association for the Teaching of Psychology (ATP).

Scotland has its own education system, which is historically different from the rest of the UK. Most students aged 16-19 years in schools and colleges take a broad range of subjects, studying ‘Higher’ courses; for university entrance, 3 – 5 Highers are normally required. In the pre-university sector in Scotland, Psychology is most widely taught in the form of NQ Higher Psychology, although the subject is also taught at lower levels (NQ Intermediate 1 and 2), sometimes to younger students in schools. In 2007, approximately 2600 students took Higher Psychology; there has been consistent growth in popularity of the subject.

In colleges, 'HN' courses are also provided, which are popular with mature students and have a more applied, vocational emphasis; these also enable progression to university, or to further professional training or employment. The HN in Social Science includes a strong element of Psychology.

Origins of the ATPS

Although Scotland has a long and illustrious history of study of human behaviour and experience, starting with David Hume's 'Treatise of Human Nature' in the 1730s, the NQ and HN Psychology courses were introduced only recently, and the ATPS was established in 2001 as a branch of its ‘parent’ association, the ATP (UK).

In Scotland we have approximately 50 members, who comprise school teachers and college lecturers, from as far afield as the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, as well as from the main centres of population - Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

ATPS Committee

The ATPS committee meets four times a year, produces its own website, and has a representative on the national ATP committee. We have a 'Scottish section' in the ATP Newsletter, for which contributions are always welcome.