Health and Social Care

Welcome

Welcome to the Health and Social Care. Here you will find everything you need to know about our department, including how we assess pupils and what each year group will be taught.

Key Stage 4 pupils have the option to study Health and Social Care as an option. They will work towards the BTEC Level 2 Technical Award, which is equivalent to one GCSE grade A*- C.

Curriculum Intent

The Health and Social Care curriculum gives students the opportunity to study how people grow and develop over the course of their lives, from infancy to old age, and the factors that may affect this, such as major life changing events like marriage or parenthood.  Students will learn how people adapt to these changes as well as the types of support available to help them.

Students will learn about the care needs of different groups including the elderly, young children and people with disabilities and how care professionals meet these care needs. Students will also learn about the different health and social care services, and about ‘care values’ and their importance in making sure that the people who use these services get the care they need. Students will be able to demonstrate these care values practically.

Students will develop skills in interpreting data about someone’s state of health in order to design a plan that will allow them to improve their health and wellbeing.  Students are given the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and techniques, and to review their own performance in demonstrating ‘care values’.

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 & 11

What will our pupils study?

The Health and Social Care curriculum teaches students to develop sector-specific knowledge, and skills in a practical learning environment.

Students also benefit from guest speakers from their local community and beyond.  Learners may be given the opportunity to visit and take part in work experience in a variety of setting such as pre-schools, primary schools and nursing homes within our local area.  

Students will cover the following areas:

Human Lifespan Development 

Students learn about how people grow and develop over the course of their lives, from infancy to old age, and the factors that may affect this, such as major life changing events like marriage or parenthood. Students will learn how people adapt to these changes as well as the types of local and national support available to help them. 

Health and Social Care Services and Values 

Students will also learn about the different health and social care services, and about ‘care values’ and their importance in making sure that the people who use these services get the care they need. Students will be able to demonstrate these care values practically.  Students will be given the opportunity to self-reflect about choices they make and how they affect others.

Health and Wellbeing 

Students will develop skills in measuring and interpreting data about someone’s state of health in order to design a plan that will allow them to improve their health and wellbeing.  

Curriculum Overview

How will our pupils be assessed?

A variety of internal and external assessment methods will be used such as projects, assignments; role plays/filmed evidence and presentations. 

A grading scale of Pass, Merit and Distinction is applied to all units.

• Component 1 – Human Lifespan Development (30%) assessed through controlled coursework.
• Component 2 – Health and Social Care Services and Values (30%) assessed through controlled coursework.
• Component 3 – Health and Wellbeing (40%) 2 hour exam in Year 11 is assessed externally.

How have our KS4 pupils progressed so far?

Impact

Study of this area as part of Key Stage 4 learning will provide students with valuable life skills which will help equip them for the future. Students are also able to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector.  It does not limit progression options because the skills acquired are applicable to a range of future pathways.  Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects
• Study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Health and Social Care, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in aspects of health or social care such as nursing, midwifery and childcare.