Connecting the Dots: A Synoptic Approach to Theory and Methods
A BSA supported event for non-specialist A-Level (or equivalent) Sociology Teachers
27 November 2025 (16:15-16:45 GMT)
Online
About the Event
This event is designed to support non-specialist (and specialist) A Level (or equivalent) Sociology teachers in developing students’ synoptic skills across papers from multiple exam boards. We’ll share best practice and pedagogy for delivering these synoptic links and provide an opportunity for questions to be answered by our exam board experts from AQA and OCR.
Event Overview
Introductions
A brief welcome and outline of what we aim to achieve across the three planned events for 2025/26.
Main Session 1
During the session, our team of experienced FE and 6th Form teacher will each spotlight a synoptic link and showcase creative, forward thinking ways to teach it. You’ll discover fresh ideas, practical strategies and classroom ready approaches designed to make synoptic connective more meaningful and engaging for students.
To keep things interactive, a live Padlet and chat board will run alongside the session giving everyone the chance to share their own insights, examples and teaching techniques in real time. All contributions will be curated and shared with delegates afterwards, creating a collective resource of innovative practices.
Join us to connect, collaborate and be inspired by the imaginative way colleague re embedding synoptic thinking into their lessons - it promises to be lively, idea packed and energised session.
Main Session 2 - Meet the Exam Board Experts
During the event, our expert exam board speaker will tackle a selection of key themed questions, offering insightful answer, practical guidance and subject specific perspective that you can apply directly to your teaching.
Conclusions
Closing remarks, thanks, and a quick invitation for delegates to share feedback via a short questionnaire (positive points, areas for improvement, and suggestions for the next event on Crime and Deviance in Spring).
Post-Event
After the session, delegates will receive a full set of resources to help continue developing their synoptic teaching. This includes the PowerPoint slides, the teaching document and any other materials offered by or exam board experts.
We’ll also share a short feedback survey to gather your reflections and ideas for future sessions - helping us refine and expand this growing community of synoptic teaching specialists.
It’s a great way to keep the conversation going, build on the insights shared and take practical tools straight back into your teaching.
Registration
This event is free to attend but registration is required.