What we are trying to achieve with students
The department try to get the students well motivated in lessons by making use of a variety of teaching styles, this helps them to achieve successful examination results. They develop a wide range of life skills. A number of guest speakers are invited to help enhance the students learning on various parts of the curriculum.
The courses we run
KS3:N/A
KS4:
OCR examination board Home Economics Child Development GCSE
Coursework 60%; Examination 40%
The GCSE involves three short coursework tasks covering a choice of subject areas, such as a nappy investigation and a magazine article on bottle or breast feeding. A more detailed child study unit of coursework relating to play is completed. It involves six observations of a child between 1 and 5 years old.
KS5:
OCR examination board Health & Social Care AS and A2
Coursework 67%; Examination 33%
The A level consists of 2 units of coursework at AS and A2. It relates to the health, early years and social care sectors.The AS examination relates to promoting quality care in the various care sectors. The students look at different types of discrimination, legislation that affects the service users in the care settings; the values of care, barriers that affect a service provider's ability to deliver services to the users; how care settings promote quality care, such as understanding the importance of an equal opportunity policy.
In A2 the examination covers the anatomy and physiology of six body systems: the respiratory, cardio-vascular, digestive, reproductive, renal and musculo-skeletal systems. The students look at the structure and functions of these systems. They will also investigate the dysfunctions of each system and how they affect the individual.
At AS the first piece of coursework is on communication skills used in the various care settings and a short interaction is completed in one of the settings. The second piece of coursework looks at promoting good health in care settings. The students will plan a health campaign and present it to a small group of people.
At A2 the pieces of coursework are based on demographic factors that influence the organisation and provision of services in the local area. The second piece of work looks at the development of children and the various factors that affect their development up to the age of eight years.
Items of particular interest
Both subjects suit students that enjoy completing coursework and are good at meeting deadlines. Studying the subjects can lead to careers in teaching, nursery education, health professions such as nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy or speech therapy