This course equips learners with knowledge, understanding and skills related to the development and care of individuals through life from conception and infancy to later adulthood. It is a course developed in partnership with the NHS and City and Guilds to deliver a robust programme of study.

The Single Award (1 GCSE) has 2 units: Unit 1: Human growth, development and well-being (Written examination) and Unit 2: Promoting and maintaining health and well-being (Nonexam assessment). Learners have opportunities to investigate care issues and topics of their own choice in the coursework.

This GCSE supports learners in continuing study in related Level 3 courses and entering career choices related to health and social care as well as providing excellent transferable skills across the curriculum.

By studying Health and Social Care, and Childcare learners are able to:

• develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of health and social care, and childcare contexts
• actively engage in the study of health and social care, and childcare to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
• appreciate a range of perspectives on the impacts of health and social care, and childcare services on wider society
• consider how health and social care, and childcare practice should be ethical and support a sustainable health and care system
• develop and apply skills relevant to health and social care, and childcare including using and interpreting data
• develop an awareness of career pathways available within the health and social care, and childcare sector.

Psychology is the study of the mind and human behaviour and explanations cover a range of approaches to explain behaviour such as social, biological and cognitive. The emphasis on this course will be to learn through practical experience and students will spend time investigating, analysing data, evaluating findings and writing reports.

Many of the approaches covered by GCSE Psychology are also considered in greater depth at A Level and the course will help students to make an informed decision about the study of Psychology at a higher level. Psychology is a very versatile subject that can be combined equally well with Sciences, PE, Business Studies, Geography, English and Drama.

It is a valuable subject in the world of Business and Law but students of Psychology can also specialise as Educational, Sport or Clinical Psychologists. It also supports the study of Health and Social Care and is useful for students considering careers in Social Work,Teaching, Nursing or the Police.

You do not have to study Psychology at GCSE to be able to take an A Level in the subject and many students successfully combine Psychology with both Science and Humanities based courses in the Sixth Form.

Health and Social Care Suite

Students do not need to have completed a Social Science course at Key Stage 4 in order to access the HSC suite in KS5, which includes A level and Certificate/Diploma pathways.

AS/A2 Level Health and Social Care, and Childcare is suitable for students who are interested in learning about the development and care of individuals throughout the life span from conception to later adulthood. The qualification provides a suitable foundation for further study of health and social care through a range of higher education courses, or into employment.

Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts Certificate/Diploma is suitable for students who want to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge related to the Health and Social Care sector. The qualification provides a suitable foundation for further study of health and social care through a range of higher education courses, or into employment. During Y13, Diploma students participate in work experience placements, amounting to 60 hours and 40 hours of sector engagement though visits to settings and guest speakers.

Following this wide-ranging and stimulating suite, students will be able to uncover all the aspects of health and social care that make this a fulfilling and motivating subject. Opportunities to discuss debate, observe and explore will be created and students will acquire skills and knowledge, which are transferable and help to meet future changes at home and at work. This provides a good basis for progression to ‘people related’ careers. With further training or study, students follow careers including nursing, social work, residential care management, nursery practitioners, paramedics, midwifery, teaching and the police.

GCE AS/A2 Psychology

This popular and successful course offers students the chance to underpin knowledge gained at Key Stage 4 with a deeper theoretical understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Through a range of resources and a variety of teaching methods, students are encouraged to develop their skills of accurate description and critical analysis of theories and studies. The course also further develops practical skills in gathering, analysing and recording data through the student’s own psychological research. Study of Psychology at A Level engages students in fundamental psychological theory while also relating theory to current issues such as ethics, eyewitness testimony, the treatment of children and eating disorders.

Many students go on to study psychology at university but the subject has also supported students undertaking degrees in law, medicine and more vocational courses in social work, counselling and teaching.

LAW

A Level Law provides students with a fascinating insight into the UK legal system.

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of law in today’s society, alongside an awareness of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and how this applies to their lives. This A Level provides an overview of Criminal Law, Human Rights Law and Tort principles, as well as equipping students with the legal skills required for progression to a Law degree or to enter employment.

There are many benefits of studying A Level Law. It links all aspects of society. It helps students develop a range of transferable skills: analytical skills, attention to detail, logical thinking, research skills, essay writing skills and advocacy skills.

This is an Exam only course.

AS

Unit 1
The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems (Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes)

Unit 2
The Law of Tort (Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes)

A2

Unit 3
The Practice of Substantive Law (Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes)

Unit 4
Substantive Law Perspectives (Written examination: 2 hours)