We follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Award specification
Who is the qualification for?
The qualification is for learners who want to acquire technical knowledge and skills in a vocational context as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. It will broaden your experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to you.
What does the qualification cover?
The Award gives you the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. In Years 10 and 11, the main focus is on four areas of equal importance:
- Development of key skills that prove your aptitude in health and social care such as interpreting data to assess an individual’s health
- Process that underpins effective ways of working in health and social care, such as designing a plan to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing
- Attitudes that are considered most important in health and social care, including the care values that are vitally important in the sector, and the opportunity to practise applying them
- Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as human growth and development, health and social care services, and factors affecting people’s health and wellbeing.
This Award complements the learning in programmes such as GCSE English. It will also complement the more theoretical aspects covered by GCSE Biology or GCSE Psychology by allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills practically in a vocational context.
The course is made up of three components studied over a two year period:
- Human Lifespan Development 30% - internally assessed assignments
- Health and Social Care Services and Values 30% - internally assessed assignments
- Health and Wellbeing 40% - externally assessed task
The components are interrelated and they are best seen as part of an integrated whole rather than as totally distinct study areas.
The three-block structure, explore, develop and apply, has been developed to allow you to build on and embed your knowledge. This allows you to grow in confidence and then put into practice what you have learned.
The three components focus on the assessment of knowledge, skills and practices. They are all essential to developing a basis for progression and, therefore, you need to achieve all components in order to achieve the qualification.
The assessment structure is also designed so that you can build on what you learn, and develop your assignment skills, as we move through the course.