‘Teaching methods were good because we learned a lot through giving presentations and role play which made it more fun.’  Year 13 student

The aim of the department is to educate students about working in the Health and Social Care sectors, considering the different service users that they could meet. The National Diploma qualification supports access to a range of higher education courses in Health and Social Care disciplines.

Our Health and Social Care Department is thriving and has very successful results. Our school facilities include a main Health and Social Care room, which has facilities for students to be taught formally and a computer suite where students can research and present their coursework. With a wealth of educational visitors and visits and Sixth Form volunteering placements, students have plenty of opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge first hand.

How is Health and Social Care a sacred subject? 

Health and Social Care deeply embeds a sense of self-worth and the wisdom to see the world through the eyes of others and for all learners to understand their place within the world. All learners are gifted the opportunity to self-reflect about choices they make and how they affect others. Health and Social Care prepares students for the sociological and physiological demands of life, ensuring they leave as independent, effective members of society by living into being ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you’ (John 15:12).

 

Key Stage 4

Starting in September 2017 the department is running the new BTEC Tech award, which is equivalent to one GCSE.
It is comprised of 3 elements:

  • Human Lifespan and Development – Assessed internally through coursework
  • Health and Social Care Services – Also assessed internally through coursework
  • Health and Well Being – Assessed externally through a task set by the exam board and completed under exam conditions

KS4 Core Knowledge

Key Stage 5

Also Starting in September 2017 the department is running the BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care, which is equivalent to 2 A Levels.
It comprises of:

Year 12

Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development – an externally assessed examination unit
Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care – an externally assessed examination unit
Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs – assessed internally through coursework
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and Their Care – assessed internally through coursework

Year 13

Unit 4: Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care – assessed externally through a task set by the exam board
Unit 7: Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care – assessed internally through coursework
Unit 8: Promoting Public Health – assessed internally through coursework
Unit 19: Nutritional Health – assessed internally through coursework

What is Expected of Students?

As these are vocational courses, an interest in the sectors of Health, Social Care and Children and Young People is essential. In Sixth Form, students will have a volunteering placement in one of the sectors alongside their studies.

Teaching is a little different as much of the work is coursework based so students have to be very self-motivated to research areas of the subject.

We try to visit local Health and Social Care establishments, including mental health centres and also care homes.

We also have lots of visiting speakers, including nurses, midwives, social workers, dementia friendly trainers, Age UK, Young Carers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language therapists, Nursery Nurse Managers, Teachers, Health Visitors, Mental Health Practitioners, Special Needs Teachers and Counsellors.

Career Opportunities:

The NHS is the fourth largest employer in the world! Many of our students go onto careers in:

  • Nursery Nursing
    • Nursing (37% of students go onto a Nursing degree)
    • Paediatrics
    • Midwifery
    • Social Work
    • Teaching (both primary and secondary)
    • Allied Health professions (OT, Speech and Language for example)
    • Mental Health Practitioners
    • Counsellors
    • Paramedics
    • Psychologists