AQA_2024: A-level Sociology - Paper 1
Education with Theory and Methods.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signat ure
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
SOCIOLOGY
Paper 1 Education with Theory and Methods
Monday 20 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
You will need no other materials. For Examiner’s Use
Question Mark
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 1
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 2
Answer all questions. 3
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside
the box around each page or on blank pages. 4
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 5
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 6
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
marked. TOTAL
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
Questions carrying 10 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose.
In these questions you will be marked on your ability to:
use good English
organise information clearly
use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-level Sociology Paper 1 on Education with Theory and Methods, focus on the following key areas:
1. The Role and Functions of Education:
Functionalism: Views education as serving essential functions for society, such as socializing
individuals, promoting social cohesion, and preparing people for the workforce. Key theorists include
Durkheim (social solidarity) and Parsons (role allocation).
Marxism: Argues that education reproduces and legitimizes social inequality by serving the interests of
the ruling class. Althusser sees education as part of the ideological state apparatus. Bourdieu
highlights cultural capital and social reproduction.
2. Educational Inequality:
Social Class: The impact of class on educational achievement, with Bernstein's theory of language
codes and Bourdieu's cultural capital. Working-class students are disadvantaged by limited resources
and different cultural backgrounds.
Gender: Feminist perspectives focus on how schools reproduce gender inequality. McRobbie and Mills
examine girls' experiences, while others analyze the underachievement of boys.
3. Education Policies and Reforms:
The Education Act 1944: Introduced the tripartite system, with grammar, secondary modern, and
technical schools.
The Comprehensive System: The move towards comprehensive schools in the 1960s, aiming to
reduce class inequality.
4. Methods in Context:
Research Methods: Key methods include:
o Quantitative Methods: Surveys, statistical analysis, and experiments for identifying patterns in
educational achievement.
o Qualitative Methods: Ethnographies, interviews, and case studies for understanding personal
experiences within education.
Primary vs. Secondary Data: Primary data is gathered directly by researchers (e.g., interviews,
surveys), while secondary data is pre-existing data (e.g., official statistics, existing research).
5. Key Theories and Studies:
Durkheim: Education as a mechanism for creating social solidarity and teaching social norms.
Bowles and Gintis: The correspondence principle, which claims that the education system mirrors the
workplace in terms of hierarchy, discipline, and control.
Willis: Learning to Labour, studying working-class boys who resist school and end up in working-class
jobs, challenging the notion of education as the primary path to success.
Douglas: Research showing the impact of parental education on children’s success.
IB/M/Jun24/G4004/E4 7192/1
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Education box
Answer all questions.
0 1 Outline two advantages of vocational education.
[4 marks]
Extra space
4
IB/M/Jun24/7192/1
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 Outline three reasons why parental choice may be limited when selecting a school for their box
child.
[6 marks]
Extra space
6
Turn over ►
IB/M/Jun24/7192/1
Education with Theory and Methods.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signat ure
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
SOCIOLOGY
Paper 1 Education with Theory and Methods
Monday 20 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
You will need no other materials. For Examiner’s Use
Question Mark
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 1
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 2
Answer all questions. 3
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside
the box around each page or on blank pages. 4
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 5
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 6
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
marked. TOTAL
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
Questions carrying 10 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose.
In these questions you will be marked on your ability to:
use good English
organise information clearly
use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-level Sociology Paper 1 on Education with Theory and Methods, focus on the following key areas:
1. The Role and Functions of Education:
Functionalism: Views education as serving essential functions for society, such as socializing
individuals, promoting social cohesion, and preparing people for the workforce. Key theorists include
Durkheim (social solidarity) and Parsons (role allocation).
Marxism: Argues that education reproduces and legitimizes social inequality by serving the interests of
the ruling class. Althusser sees education as part of the ideological state apparatus. Bourdieu
highlights cultural capital and social reproduction.
2. Educational Inequality:
Social Class: The impact of class on educational achievement, with Bernstein's theory of language
codes and Bourdieu's cultural capital. Working-class students are disadvantaged by limited resources
and different cultural backgrounds.
Gender: Feminist perspectives focus on how schools reproduce gender inequality. McRobbie and Mills
examine girls' experiences, while others analyze the underachievement of boys.
3. Education Policies and Reforms:
The Education Act 1944: Introduced the tripartite system, with grammar, secondary modern, and
technical schools.
The Comprehensive System: The move towards comprehensive schools in the 1960s, aiming to
reduce class inequality.
4. Methods in Context:
Research Methods: Key methods include:
o Quantitative Methods: Surveys, statistical analysis, and experiments for identifying patterns in
educational achievement.
o Qualitative Methods: Ethnographies, interviews, and case studies for understanding personal
experiences within education.
Primary vs. Secondary Data: Primary data is gathered directly by researchers (e.g., interviews,
surveys), while secondary data is pre-existing data (e.g., official statistics, existing research).
5. Key Theories and Studies:
Durkheim: Education as a mechanism for creating social solidarity and teaching social norms.
Bowles and Gintis: The correspondence principle, which claims that the education system mirrors the
workplace in terms of hierarchy, discipline, and control.
Willis: Learning to Labour, studying working-class boys who resist school and end up in working-class
jobs, challenging the notion of education as the primary path to success.
Douglas: Research showing the impact of parental education on children’s success.
IB/M/Jun24/G4004/E4 7192/1
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Education box
Answer all questions.
0 1 Outline two advantages of vocational education.
[4 marks]
Extra space
4
IB/M/Jun24/7192/1
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 Outline three reasons why parental choice may be limited when selecting a school for their box
child.
[6 marks]
Extra space
6
Turn over ►
IB/M/Jun24/7192/1
