AS/A2 Level (Double Award) 2013 Entry
Health & Social Care 1987-2012 • •
An excellent choice if you are thinking of a career in the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors 25 Years
of inspiring The course reflects job opportunities relevant to these areas of individuals work, including Community Justice
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An active and enjoyable course that enables students to move on to a related career or higher education course
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Teachers are friendly, approachable and supportive and are responsive to your ideas, opinions and suggestions
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Staff are always willing to give you guidance, help and advice on matters of both an academic and personal nature
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Cathy’s Perspective Carmel College has a positive environment where it is easy to learn. I like studying Health and Social Care because it looks at the interrelationships between psychological and physical aspects of life, and helps you to understand what makes communication effective. After I leave Carmel I want to become a nurse. Health and Social Care is a course that is relevant to everyday life, and has friendly, helpful staff. I particularly enjoyed the work experience week as it let me use some of the skills I had learnt from the course such as effective communication. At Carmel I have also taken part in sign language and driving theory enrichments, which have been fun and relaxing as they weren’t academic.
AS/A2 Health and Social Care Exam Board AQA What’s this course about? This course will introduce you to key concepts and a body of knowledge that will provide you with an invaluable and thoughtful perspective on contemporary issues in health and social care. It complements and combines well with other A Level studies and will equip you with the skills needed for higher education and the world of work. What will I study? The GCE Advanced Level Double Award in Health and Social Care is a two A Level course. It comprises eight units of study; a mix of coursework and external exams. This course is studied over two years, along with one or more A Levels of your choice, depending on your interests and career aims. Units of study: • Effective Care and Communication • Understanding Health Conditions and Patient Care Pathways • Life as a Challenge • Educating Children and Young People • Learning and Development • Practitioner Roles • Food and Fitness • Using and Understanding Research
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Understanding Mental Disorders Diagnosis, Treatment and Preventative Strategies
Caring involves working with a whole range of people in a variety of different situations, such as working with children or people with special needs, caring for the elderly or looking after patients in hospital. In order to understand the nature of Health and Social Care, your learning will be applied to a range of work-related contexts. This is achieved through a variety of practical approaches such as case study analysis and research. A number of guest speakers are invited into the department to enrich your studies. Work experience is an integral aspect of your learning experience and you will be given the opportunity to undertake work experience in a setting related to your career aims. How will I be assessed? The course is comprised of 50% coursework and 50% external exams. You will be expected to produce a portfolio of evidence for coursework units based on the assignments set by the Health and Social Care teachers. Coursework units are marked by the teachers and are moderated by the exam board. The external written exams are set and marked by the exam board.
Cathy Machin St Gregory’s Catholic High School Studying: Health and Social Care, Photography, Biology
Meet the Tutors Pam Maggs Head of Department Ann Hodson Subject Tutor Tracey Coster Subject Tutor
What support will I receive? Our department is committed to supporting you as an individual and will help you to achieve your full potential. Teachers can help you to reflect on your achievement and guide you in the setting of targets to help improve your performance throughout the year. Support tutorials are provided on a one-to-one and small group basis and you will be given help with a range of study skills for example, organising your time, independent research, revision skills etc.
Molly’s Perspective Where does this course lead? Progression routes from the course are wide and varied, from degree and diploma studies in a wide range of fields, to employment in the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors. Career opportunities include: Childcare, Nursing, Paediatrics, Midwifery, Social Work, Teaching/ similar careers, Police Officer, Probation Officer/YOT, Medicine, Paramedic, Health Visitor, Mental Health, Counselling.
Alternative Therapies Workshop
Progression routes of former students include: BA (Hons) Social Work; BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy; BA (Hons) Health Studies; BSc Nutrition; BSc (Hons) Social Science and Criminology; BEd Primary Teaching; BSc (Hons) Adult/ Paediatric Nursing/Midwifery; Childcare; Care of the Elderly; Pharmacy Technician; Dental Nursing; Police Force.
During my time at Carmel, I have enjoyed talking to different people and making new friends. I really enjoy studying Health and Social Care as the lessons are always interesting. Whilst doing coursework, we do a lot of research, learning new things all the time which will help me in the future. I also really enjoyed the work experience I did for the course as it was interesting and really helped with my understanding of a couple of the units I am currently studying. I have been really impressed with how supportive the teachers are. If any students ever need help, the teachers are always willing to give up some of their time to help students wherever possible. Overall I think that Carmel is a great, friendly and supportive place for learning. After I leave Carmel, I hope go to university to study midwifery.
Alternative Therapies Workshop
Molly Dudley De La Salle School What is the Department like? You will be studying in well-equipped classrooms with multi-media technology and will have access to computers and the Internet to help you with your studies. On entry to the course you will be supplied with a course text book and a comprehensive student handbook that contains a wide range of web addresses and an essential reading guide, which also identifies a range of health, social care and early years journals. These resources can be accessed from the College Library.
Studying: Health and Social Care, Maths, Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions What are the entry requirements for this course? You will need grades CC in Health & Social Care (if studied) OR a Pass in BTEC Health & Social Care (if studied) AND GCSE grade C in Maths, English and Science/Biology.
Is the Health and Social Care course just for people who wish to become midwives or nurses? Certainly not. Take a look at just some of the progression routes of former students.
How successful are Carmel’s Health and Social Care students? Carmel’s Health and Social Care students are outstandingly successful. A high percentage of students who study Health and Social Care achieve high grades, exceeding national average results. What other AS Levels can I study alongside Health and Social Care? The course combines well with almost all AS and A Level subjects. The combination of subjects you choose to study depends upon your career aims. For example, Health and Social Care (Double Award) taken with a Science A Level, supports applications for a degree in Radiography, Nursing or Midwifery, or with one of a range of A Levels, it supports applications for teacher training or social work.
Health and Social Care Examination Results
More Information Exam board website: www.aqa.org.uk NHS careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk Social Work/Care careers: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk Early Years careers: www.childcarecareers.gov.uk
2010
2011
2012
AS A2 AS A2 AS A2
Entries
95
76
102
79
68
74
A*-B
34%
46%
30%
39%
25%
42%
A*-C
70%
74%
64%
75%
49%
74%
A*-E
99%
100%
96%
99%
97%
100%
Work experience and vocational enrichment Caring involves working with a whole range of people in a variety of different situations, such as working with children or people with special needs, caring for the elderly or looking after patients in hospital. In order to understand the nature of health, social care and early years, your learning will be applied to a range of work-related contexts. This is achieved through a variety of practical approaches, including 10 days work experience related to your career aims, links with local employers, case studies and research. A number of guest speakers are also invited into the department to enrich your studies.