BTEC

Health and Social Care

Health and Social Care Head is Russell Sauntry, it is also taught by Mr Rye, Ms Murphy and Ms Crocker.  The course is run by Edexcel and is worth four GCSE's. The grading system is different to GCSE's though.  Instead of A, B and C students aim for Distinction (worth 4 A's), Merit (worth 4 B's) and Pass (worth 4 C's).

There is no exam in Health and Social Care as the subject is 100% coursework.

Public Services

 B.T.E.C. (First) Diploma in Public Services.

With more than five million employees, the public sector is the UK’s largest employer. It includes the armed forces, the emergency services, educational establishments and a host of public corporations. Covering so many different areas, that this sector demands a broad range of skills and qualifications.  Edexcel’s BTEC Level 2 First Certificate or Diploma in Public Services is designed to provide a broad introduction to working in this sector.

Key features:

Why do it?                    <> Skills and knowledge are directly linked to the workplace.

                                    <> Apply your skills both individually and in teams to practical situations.

                                    <> No examinations.  Regular assignments will given by teachers and assessed against Edexcel guidelines.

Qualification:                 B.T.E.C. diploma is equivalent to 4 G.C.S.E. passes.  (See equivalence table in specification)

Grades:                         You can achieve a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction.

Length of study:             One year with 10 lessons a week.

Unit length:                    Equivalent to 60 hours of directed study each. Homework is your responsibility.

Compulsory units:          3 units (Uniformed public service employment; Public service skills; Uniformed public service fitness)

Optional units:               3 units (we are currently offering Expedition skills; Crime & Public Service; Role of Sport in Public Services)

Assessment:                 By teacher set and assessed assignments which provide the evidence that you have the required skills and understanding for each unit.  These are externally verified.

                                    We will be looking for:    a.  Applying your knowledge and understanding.

                                                                        b.  Developing practical and technical skills.

                                                                        c.  Personal development towards an occupational role.

                                                                        d.  Application of key skills.

Expectations:                We will expect you to show a good level of self motivation and a determination to succeed.  You will need to be organised and independent so that assignments are completed on time.  We are happy to support your studies, but you have chosen a very different style of qualification so why would we just recreate your G.C.S.E. experiences all over again?

After all once you are at work your boss does not expect to be hanging over your shoulder all the time.  In fact, most public service jobs expect a high level of maturity of employees, just think about a young Police Officer on the street late at night.

Work experience:           Any work place briefing, visit, or employment is valuable and can be used to provide evidence towards the assessment criteria.

Outside school:             Any experiences where you develop and demonstrate your team skills or ability to operate with others in the community could be useful.  Are you

in Scouts or Cadets?  Do you regularly play, ref or coach a sport?  Do you help people in the community?  Do you do Duke of Edinburgh’s 

Award? 

This course would naturally lead into further studies at Level 3.