About the Department

​Mrs Murphy

Ms Sullivan

Miss Facey

Technical Awards and BTECs embody a fundamentally learner-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible, unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. They focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education.​

Studying Health and Social Care can lead to a range of careers such as; Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Midwifery, Paramedic, Physiotherapist and Teaching.

KS4:

Learners will investigate how, in real situations, human development is affected by different factors and that people deal differently with life events.

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.

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.​

KS5:

Studying Health and Social Care helps you to understand the different ways individuals grow and develop during their life. You investigate factors that can affect human growth and development along with self -concept. It explores the importance of relationships during each life stage from birth to later adulthood.

You will develop a wider understanding of the services and professionals working in the health, social care and early years sectors. The course combines practical activities with theory, as well as visits and inviting employers to share their knowledge, experiences and an insight to their role and responsibilities.

Key Stage 3 Health Studies

Intent:

This curriculum aims to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, along with their personal development, behaviour and attitudes
It reinforces concepts and topics covered in Religious Education, PSHE, Science and Communications, through a range of activities, workshops and resources as well as exposing them to other topics
The aim of this three year course is to develop responsible, respectful and active individuals who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults.

Fundamental to these lessons is mutual respect and tolerance, promoting equality of opportunity so that all pupils can thrive together, understanding that difference is a positive, not a negative, and that individual characteristics make people unique. The focus is celebrating diversity; promoting an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all pupils, including examples of neurodiversity, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age-appropriate relationship and sex education.

Starting in Year 7 as a foundation, each year we aim to teach pupils how to build their confidence and resilience. This is crucial in preparing pupils for their next stage of education, training or employment and their adult life.

A working environment is created where pupils feel safe, and in which bullying, discrimination and peer-on-peer abuse, online or offline are studied as well as understanding the impact of these issues on personal development.

Content:

Year 7

The focus is on developing a positive self-concept and evaluating what factors have an impact on an individual’s self-concept including social media and peer pressure
Healthy lifestyle choices including the importance of a balanced diet and exercise
Positive mental health and emotional well-being
Mental health disorders
Puberty​
Relationships

Year 8

The importance of healthy relationships and our Holy Cross relationship wall
Step Into The NHS: Research skills to investigate the range of careers offered by the NHS (650 different jobs) careers quiz to identify their own skills and interests, creative project and competition
“Operation Smokestorm” an interactive workshop to alert the students to the dangers of smoking

Year 9

Emergency First Aid skills: Practical sessions in life-saving: DRABC: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation: chest compressions and rescue breaths, recovery position, Defibrillator Alcohol and drug misuse
The Bystander Effect
CSE
LGBTQ​
FGM

Key Stage 4

Qualification: BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care
​Examination Board: Edexcel

Component 1 – Human Lifespan Development

• Internally assessed assignments
• 30% of the total course

Component 2 – Health and Social Care Services and Values

• Internally assessed assignments
• 30% of the total course

​Component 3 – Health and Wellbeing

• Externally assessed task
• 40% of the total course

Key Stage 5

This course provides students with the knowledge and understanding that will open up a range of career opportunities including teaching, midwifery, social work and counselling.

Qualification: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care (601/7197/2)
​Examination Board: Pearson

Unit 1 – Human Lifespan Development – Externally examined
Unit 2 – Working in health and Social Care – Externally examined
Unit 5 – Meeting Individual care and Support Needs – Coursework
Unit 14 – Physiological Disorders and their Care – Coursework