Social Sciences
BTEC Health and Social Care Level 2 KS4
Course | Pearson BTEC Level 1 & 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care |
Examining Board | Edexcel |
Specification | Link |
Why study this subject? |
Around 3 million people work in health and social care within the UK, and increase inline with the needs of the aging population, needs across social care in relation to SEND, and mental health which is on an increase in the current climate. There are many different health care roles across the sector from doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, while social care roles include care assistants, occupational therapists, counsellors and administrators. Together, they account for nearly one in ten of all paid jobs in the UK. Demand for both health and social care is likely to rise, so they will continue to play a key role in UK society and the demand for people to carry out these vital roles will increase.
At Oaks Park we offer a broad range of GCSEs, including English, mathematics and science. This qualification has been designed to allow learners to draw on the knowledge and skills acquired from these subjects where relevant and to apply them to a vocational course and future work contexts. There are also strong opportunities for post-16 progression in this important sector. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:
This course is also an opportunity to learn about different needs and factors that affect how we develop across the life stages and how we are aided in this from services available. |
Unit 1 |
Human Lifespan Development - Learners will investigate how, in real situations, human development is affected by different factors and that people deal differently with life events. The is a unit divided into two parts, 1a: Studying the development we go through from birth to death in relation to our PIES (physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social development) as well as factors that affect this development (physical, social/cultural, economic) 1b: Studying the life events we are impacted by and the impact of these on individuals and how different approaches impact how we overcome these.
This is an internally assessed unit that incorporates a controlled assessment that is completed onsite under exam conditions, graded at a across 5 grade points including level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction.
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Unit 2 |
Health and Social care Services and Values - Learners study and explore practically, health and social care services and how they meet the needs of real service users. They also develop skills in applying care values. This unit is again divided into two parts, 2a: Studying the different types of health and social care services in the UK and barriers an individual may face in accessing them such as geographical, financial, awareness etc. 2b. Studying the 7 care values applied in health and social care provision, how to be critical and review own practice and application of the care values and why this is so important for service users receiving the services.
This is an internally assessed unit that incorporates a controlled assessment that is completed onsite under exam conditions, graded at a across 5 grade points including level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction.
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Unit 3 |
Health and wellbeing - Learners will study the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and how to design a health and wellbeing improvement plan. In this component, you look at the factors that can have a positive or negative influence on a person’s health and wellbeing. You will learn to interpret physiological and lifestyle indicators, and what they mean for someone’s state of health. You will learn how to use this information to design an appropriate plan for improving someone’s health and wellbeing, including short- and long-term targets. Additionally, you will explore the difficulties an individual may face when trying to make these changes. You will develop skills in analysing information and communicating for a specific purpose, which will support your progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.
Learners will be given a case study and will assess an individual’s health and wellbeing, drawing on their understanding of life events from Component 1. They will design a health and wellbeing improvement plan that draws on their knowledge of services and care values from Component 2.
A task worth 60 marks will be completed under supervised conditions (an externally marked exam piece) and are awarded across 6 grade points, level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 1 distinction, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction. |
Assessment |
2 internal assessments (coursework) totalling 60% of the qualification 1 external assessment (exam) totalling 40% of the qualification
The three components focus on the assessment of knowledge, skills and practices. These are all essential to developing a basis for progression and, therefore, learners need to achieve all components in order to achieve the qualification. |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector.
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Suggested links to resources |
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/apprenticeships Thiswebsite will help you see the availability of future progression within the sector after studying the course
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z74vkmn This will help you understand the importance of the approaches used in caring for individuals and how to apply them
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/RywYFwPf9PWfp7CgqGBJ9q/make-it-into-health-and-social-care This can show individuals the different roles and what they incorporate within the health and social care sector |
BTEC Health and Social Care KS5
Course | BTEC National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care |
Examining Board | Edexcel |
Specification | Link |
Why study this subject? |
The Health and social care industry is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK employing nearly 4 million people. It is an optimum industry for people with a desire to make a positive impact on society and looking to find secure employment in today’s ever-changing economy. Working within this sector can be a challenging but also a rewarding career, as well as the place where you get the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives each day.
The BTEC National in Health and Social Care provide students with the foundation knowledge as well as employability skills students need to succeed at higher level of study, in addition to benefiting them in their chosen career. Students who have experience of research, extended writing and meeting deadlines are said to be well prepared for Higher Education. This course will give students the skills needed for either university or work in the Health & Social Care sector as a wide range of subjects are covered which will raise awareness of the many rewarding career opportunities that exist. |
Unit 1 |
Human lifespan development
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Unit 2 |
Working in health and social care
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Unit 5 | Meeting the needs of individuals with additional needs
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Unit 14 | Physiological disorders and their care
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Assessment |
2 externally moderated units (exams) Unit 1 & 2 (Year 1) 2 internally moderated units (coursework) Unit 5 & 14 (Year 2) |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
Successful completion of the course can lead to various degree courses at university ranging from Nursing and Social work to criminology, sociology, psychology, occupational therapy, probation or counselling services, housing, youth and community work, early years and education studies. Alternatively, you can enter employment or apprenticeships in the health or care sector.
The health and social care sector is one of the biggest employers in the UK with nearly four million people working in the sector. The recent pandemic has increased demand for employees across the sector and will continue to be in demand as the population increases and ages
Nurses and Social workers average pay is around £27,000 a year while Public Health managers can earn up to £55,000 a year. |
Suggested links to resources |
NFCE Page for Health & Social Care
Useful websites
Statistic
Government and professional bodies
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KS5 Psychology
Course | A level Psychology (Legacy qualification) |
Examining Board | Edexcel |
Specification | Link |
Why study this subject? | It explains why humans behave the way they do. It is very interesting and also makes students think about the world with a new perspective. Psychology is a great subject to study with a whole range of other subjects at KS5, as it fits well with both arts and science subjects. Psychologists are employed in almost every facet of the working world, so the A level is useful in a practical sense. |
Key Content | |
Unit 1 |
Psychological Approaches
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Unit 2 | Applications of Psychology Clinical Psychology Child Psychology |
Unit 3 | Psychological Skills A synoptic paper, which means that it draws knowledge from any or all parts of the course. A large part of this paper is also research methods, mathematical skills (although these are tested in all 3 papers too) and Issues and Debates |
Assessment AS- |
Two 1.5hour papers Social and Cognitive Psychology Biological Psychology and Learning |
Assessment A-Level |
Three 2 hour papers Foundations of Psychology Applications of Psychology Psychological Skills |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses | Psychology Next Steps |
Suggested links to resources |
Course |
A-Level Psychology (From September 2024) |
Examining Board |
AQA |
Specification |
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Why study this subject? |
This course is for anyone who is interested in the study of the human mind and behaviour; and is keen to explore a cutting edge science that has real world applications in issues ranging from artificial intelligence to social change. You should be able to take part in discussions and express your opinion clearly. You must be willing to view the world from different perspectives and be confident in analysing and interpreting data as well as planning and conducting scientific investigations. |
Unit 1 Introductory topics in Psychology |
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Unit 2 Psychology in Context |
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Unit 3 Issues and Options in Psychology |
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Assessment A-Level |
Written exams with a combination of multiple choice, short and extended response questions. There are 3 exams [96 marks & 2 hours each] at the end of the second year in June, one for each unit. 25-30% of overall marks come from Research Methods – this is examined through a 48 mark section on Paper 2 and embedded throughout all sections on Papers 1, 2 & 3. All other topics are examined through a 24 mark section. |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
This A-Level gives you a broad range of skills which could be applied to any further studying you decide to do or jobs should you wish to start working. Jobs directly related to your degree include:
Jobs where your degree would be useful include: |
Suggested links to resources |
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KS4 Sociology
Course | Sociology GCSE |
Examining Board | AQA |
Specification | Link |
Why study this subject? |
GCSE Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification.
Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions.
By studying sociology, students will develop transferable skills including how to:
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Unit 1 |
The Sociological Approach You will learn about what sociology is, and the key social structures processes and issues that are debated in sociology. You will also learn about the key sociological thinkers, including Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber |
Unit 2
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The Sociology of Families and Households |
Unit 3 |
The Sociology of Education |
Unit 4
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Sociological Research Methods You will learn about the variety of research methods that sociologists use to research social life. You will learn how to apply research methods to the study of families and education and how to critically evaluate them. |
Unit 5 |
The Sociology of Crime and Deviance |
Unit 6 |
The Sociology of Social Stratification |
Assessment |
Paper 1: Written Exam – 1 hour 45 mins: 50% of total mark
Paper 2: Written Exam – 1 hour 45 mins: 50% of total mark |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
Sociology is particularly useful for students who want to work with people and in a wide range of occupations. Some examples are:
It is useful if you wish to study subjects like social policy, law, midwifery, social work or criminology at university. |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zbbw2hv BBC Bitesize is great for GCSE revision.
This site gives you news articles relevant to your topics- just type in the subject.
This site gives you government statistics on crime, education, stratification and families. |
KS5 Sociology
Course | A-Level Sociology |
Examining Board | AQA |
Specification | Link |
Why study this subject? |
Are you interested in how humans learn to behave like humans? Are you interested in how society is changing? Are you interested in how individuals develop their identity? Are you interested in how society stereotypes? If you answered ‘YES’ then Sociology might be a subject for you!
Sociology is the study of society and human social behaviour; it appeals because you can apply what you learn to everyday life. An A’ level in sociology will equip you with skills valued by universities and employers: critical analysis, the ability to form coherent written arguments, explaining difficult concepts and interpreting data. It will also give you a greater understanding of people and the world in which you live. |
Paper 1 |
Paper 1 - Education with Theory and Methods
Education Ethnic differences in achievement Gender differences in achievement Research Methods and Methods in Context: |
Paper 2 |
Topics in Sociology
Families and Households Theories of the family Demography Changing family patterns Family diversity Families and social policy
Beliefs in Society: Religion and social change Secularaisation Religion, renewal and choice Organisations, movements and members Ideology and science
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Paper 3 |
Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Crime and Deviance Functionalist, strain and subcultural theories Interactionism and labelling theory Class, power and crime Realist theories of crime Gender, crime and justice Ethnicity, crime and justice Crime and the media Globalisation, green crime, human rights and state crime
Objectivity and values in sociology Functionalism Marxism Feminist theories Action theories Globalisation, modernity and postmodernity Sociology and social policy |
Assessment A-Level |
3 Exams |
Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
Careers:
Higher Education Courses: |
Suggested links to resources |