Health and Social Care

Curriculum rationale

The aim of the Health and Social Care (H&SC) curriculum is to provide students with the foundation of knowledge and skills required for H&SC qualifications to enable them to seek careers within the sector. We also aim to develop students holistically through the curriculum to enhance their communication, organisation and independence to prepare them for life beyond SJNC and the world of work.

The course allows students to explore and develop independence skills particularly in completing research, practical applications and articulate their understanding through extended writing and presentations.

Curriculum Design

The curriculum is carefully sequenced to enable progression of knowledge and skills over the two years and has cross-curricular links particularly with Science and PE.  The H&SC curriculum adds breadth to the whole school curriculum offer for our students. The breadth within the subject comes from the two optional units which we have ensured involves practical application of knowledge and skills as well as theoretical assessments. For example, the first aid unit is mainly assessed through practical application. As H&SC is a new subject to all students, teaching and resources are tailored to ensure inclusivity. Academic vocabulary is made explicit through knowledge organisers, resources within books, progress ladders and specific vocabulary teaching.

Curriculum Plan

	Year 1	Year 2
September - February	Coursework unit R022 Communicating and working with individuals in health, social care and early years settings	Exam unit R021 Essential values of care for use with individuals in care settings
February- July	Coursework unit R031 Using basic first aid procedures	Coursework unit R023 Understanding body systems and disorders

Curriculum Assessment

Within the coursework units, students are required to meet a number of learning outcomes. Students will receive regular feedback at the end of each outcome and will have a window of opportunity to make improvements and act upon feedback. Students use progress ladders to monitor and reflect on their own progress.

During the exam unit, students will be assessed at the end of each learning outcome where they will complete an assessment created from past paper questions. They will receive class feedback where they can make corrections in green pen to clear up misconceptions. Students will also complete a mock exam prior to the actual exam.

Teachers provide ongoing verbal feedback in all units to both individual students and the class as a whole. Homework is set regularly to continually check understanding.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Students are encouraged to complete work experience in a H&SC setting.

There is also the opportunity for students to take home virtual babies to experience the demands of having to meet the needs of a newborn.