Health & Social Care

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In Health and Social Care we aim to ensure that all students achieve more than they ever thought possible. We aim to inspire and excite students by providing them with an interesting and relevant curriculum which helps them to explore the world of Health and Social Care. 

The Health and Social Care department has developed strong links within the community and utilise these links to help bring the subject to life in a real way. Students are given the opportunity to talk with, and interview individuals who are currently working within the sector and learn how this qualification can contribute towards their success in the real world. Students are also given the opportunity to visit specific Health and Social Care settings as a group, in order to understand how each workplace meets the needs of individuals in their care. Every piece of student work then directly links with real-life scenarios.

Health and Social care is an excellent qualification for those who are interested in entering the caring profession. It gives you the necessary qualifications needed to embark upon apprenticeships or degree courses which can lead to jobs including teaching, nursing, social work and caring.

Secondary

Years 10 & 11

Course Title: BTEC L1/L2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
Exam Board: BTEC
Qualification: BTEC L1/L2 Certificate in Health and Social Care

About the course:

At Merchants’ Academy, students are given the opportunity to take this subject from Year 10. At this stage we currently follow a Level 2 BTEC First in Health and Social Care. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about and reflect on areas of study including:

  • Communication
  • Individual Needs
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Human Development

How it is assessed

Students are fully supported to complete 3 pieces of coursework and are then prepared for one externally set exam. While completing coursework activities students are continually assessed and tracked to ensure that they are meeting all of the standards necessary for them to achieve. If at any point a student fails to hit these targets then immediate intervention is available for them in terms of in class support and after school support sessions.

All Merchants’ Academy students complete a week’s work experience and Level 2 Health and Social Care students are encouraged to find placements in settings which will support the learning that they are doing in this area. This is a very successful time for students who are able to directly apply a lot of their learning into practice.

Homework and Independent Learning

Health and Social Care homework and independent learning is set every week and is essential for all students as it cements their learning and ensures that they meet criteria which is set for them in terms of their coursework requirements.

Further information can be found by accessing

  • http://www.pursuittraining.co.uk/#!apprenticeships
  • http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/health-and-social-care/Pages/default.aspx
  • http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nationals10/hsc/Pages/default.aspx

Sixth Form

Years 12 & 13

Course Title: Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care
Exam Board: BTEC
Qualification: Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care

As part of their Sixth Form experience, Merchants’ Academy students are given the opportunity to study the Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care, which is equivalent to two A levels. This is an exciting course which builds on much of the learning assimilated during Years 10 & 11, although a prior qualification in this area is not required to follow it in the Sixth Form. In Years 12 and 13 the course introduces additional topics including:

  • Human lifespan and Development
  • Working in Health and Social Care
  • Enquiries into current research into Health and Social Care
  • Meeting individual care and support needs
  • Principles of safe practice in Health and Social Care
  • Promoting Public Health
  • Supporting individuals with additional needs
  • Nutritional health

How it is assessed

60% of this course is assessed through coursework and students are closely monitored and tracked to ensure that they are constantly aware of how they are doing and what they need to do in order to improve. Intervention and support is always available to students who for whatever reason may not be reaching the targets set for them.

Additional to this there are 2 externally set and marked exams which students must gain a minimum of a Pass in.

There is also the opportunity of an optional unit of work where students need to complete 100 hours of work experience. This is divided over three different work place settings and puts into practice much of what the students have been studying in class. These are invaluable experiences for students and ones which really help them to focus on areas of specialism for future work and study.

Homework and Independent Learning

Health and Social Care homework and independent learning tasks are set every week and is essential for all students as it cements their learning and ensures that they meet criteria which is set for them in terms of their coursework requirements.

For further information: