The Beaconsfield SchoolHealth and Social Care
Health and Social Care Curriculum Statement
Intent
The invention of Pearson BTEC Tech Award Health and Social Care is to ensure that each student has the opportunity to understand the wide range of opportunities within the field, as well as preparing students for future employment. The health and social care course is a vocational qualification which takes an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. The course equips students with a sound, specialist and realistic understanding of how to meet the needs of individuals using services and specialist equipment, whilst challenging stereotypes and discrimination. The study of care values is at the heart of Health and Social Care which develops skills such as empathy, compassion, commitment, tolerance and empowerment. This enables our students to become educated citizens and contributors to society in a positive manner.
The curriculum within Health and Social Care Supports the ethos within the school as the subject broad, balanced and relevant to the needs of students and employers. The curriculum challenges students to think abstractly, work collaboratively and problem solve to develop curiosity and the desire for knowledge.
The course is designed so that the units build upon each other as the students grow in confidence. This allows the students to embed their knowledge whilst giving opportunities to put into practice what they learn. This ensures they develop their technical skills, which they can then apply to real-life scenarios through case studies and local community contexts.
Implementation
The implementation of BTEC Health and Social Care will provide a wide range of learning experiences which are accessible to students of all abilities. This involves group work opportunities, clearly differentiated tasks, report writing through internal assessments and examination technique for external assessments and controlled assessments. Aspirational teaching encourages students to complete tasks above target grade and emphasises the importance of real-world experiences through trips and visitors.
At level 2, the internally assessed units are designed to promote deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice. Content involves the understanding and application of human growth and development, how people deal with life events, health, and social care services, as well as practical demonstration of care values. The externally assessed unit builds upon this and allows students to interpret and assess an individual’s health and wellbeing.
We use a variety of teaching strategies, as well as utilising the online curriculum activities to support students of learning capabilities. The wide range of techniques allow for knowledge to become embedded within the long-term memory. Assessments are regular and frequent with recall tests at the beginning of lessons, end of topic tests and mock examinations to prepare students for formal assessment.
Impact
The BTEC Health and Social Care curriculum has a positive impact on the outcomes of every student, the course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Health and Social services sector. Here at The Beaconsfield School our curriculum is tailored to empower students with the knowledge, skills and values to excel in this vital field. Our curriculum equips students with in-depth knowledge of key topics such as healthcare systems, social care practices, ethics, and health promotion. Impact within the course is regularly checked through low stake formative assessment tasks throughout the department. These opportunities allow students to receive instant and in-depth feedback, providing them with areas of strengths and weaknesses within their work, providing guidance and strategies to how students can improve their work. By the end of the course, students demonstrate a profound understanding of the complexities and challenges within the healthcare and social services sector, enabling them to make informed decisions and contributions to society. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical experiences, our students develop critical skills such as communication, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are crucial for effective service delivery and collaboration in health and social care settings.
The curriculum offered here places a strong emphasis on instilling ethical values and professionalism into our students. They learn to respect diversity, uphold confidentiality, and promote equality in all aspects of healthcare and social services. These values are fundamental in ensuring the highest standards of care. The BTEC Health and Social Care course at The Beaconsfield School prepares students for a wide range of future careers in health and social care. It opens pathways to further education, apprenticeships, and employment in various roles, including healthcare assistants, social workers, nurses and more. Our students engage in practical placements and community projects, contributing positively to the well-being of individuals and communities. These hands-on experiences not only enrich their learning but also has a tangible impact on the community. Continuous assessment and feedback mechanism are integrated into our curriculum to monitor student progress, this is done through the use of assessment weeks and mock exams providing students with opportunities to effectively practice exams and be given detailed feedback. This ensures that students are supported in their learning journey, and any necessary adjustments are made to enhance their educational experience.
Learning Journey Map
Health and Social Care Curriculum Map
