Health and Social Care

At Weatherhead High School, Health and Social Care is an option which all students can select at KS4 and KS5. Our intent is to provide an interesting and relevant curriculum, with knowledge consistently applied to the industry, real-life and fictional scenarios, which gives learners access and opportunity to progress to KS5 and beyond. The courses and lessons are coherently planned and sequenced towards developing knowledge and competencies for future learning whilst building upon students’ knowledge from Personal & Social Development during KS3.  

Students study the BTEC Tech Award at KS4 which is assessed through a combination of an external exam and internal coursework. The research and essay writing competencies applied at KS4 develop learners for further study into KS5 and beyond. Students who choose to study the subject at KS5 have two pathway options. They can study the single option of the BTEC Extended Certificate or choose to study the double option of the Diploma. In KS5, learners will further develop their knowledge and understanding in a range of topics, specifically chosen to prepare them for a career in this constantly growing industry.

The department strives to provide a curriculum which is inclusive and all students, irrespective of background, have the opportunity to succeed in this popular pathway.  The staff aim to foster a love of the subject and content and build on students’ cultural capital with opportunities to put their skills into practice with local partnerships with care homes in our Weatherfriends and other initiatives.  In addition, the department encourages all students to develop their core values of resilience, collaboration, respect and dignity, preparing them for a future career and life within or outside of the subject.

The Health and Social Care department supports every student through their courses, regardless of background, to achieve success in both coursework and examination units.  Students are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge and skills practically in role plays in KS4 and in reality in KS5 through our partnership with a local residential care home in our Weatherfriends initiative.  Students work collaboratively to develop their application of the care values, becoming confident and fully prepared to manage their emotions for the many challenges and opportunities they face in understanding people’s health and well-being.

In each coursework unit, students are internally assessed and graded from Distinction to Pass. Units are then internally and externally verified.  In preparation for the examinations, we aim for mastery of content, utilising regular past paper assessments and interleaving of topics and revision, in order to build a secure knowledge base from which students can apply to the given questions and case studies.  All unit scores are then combined to provide a student’s final grade.

In KS4, students follow the BTEC Tech Award and complete units in Human Lifespan development, Services and Values and Health and Wellbeing. In KS5, students on the single pathway follow the Extended Certificate in HSC and complete units in Human Lifespan development, Meeting individual care needs, Working in the Industry and Understanding additional needs.  The students on the double pathway follow the Diploma in HSC and complete those same units as the Extended Certificate as well as units in Public Health, Health & Safety, Research methods and Physiological conditions.  Content is delivered via a range of methods including teacher exposition, group work, research work and individual application. 

Teachers have a very good level of knowledge of the subject and the industry and will promote appropriate discussion about the subject matter being taught.  The units are chosen and planned to be delivered by specialists in that area. Resources and assessment are used well to support all students to achieve their full potential.

The department has adopted a Literacy in HSC initiative on a fortnightly basis.  All students will be encouraged to read a relevant article about a prevalent discussion point in the industry – promoting their reading skills, which will then be discussed to improve pupils’ oracy skills.

Beyond the classroom, the department enhances the students’ skills, knowledge and aspirations through careers initiatives and our Weatherfriends partnership.  Students are well-supported through resources on Google Classroom as well as regular revision sessions, coursework clinics and masterclasses.

Students’ work across both Key Stages is of a high quality. All students consistently achieve highly, irrespective of background or additional needs, this is reflected in results on a consistent basis.

In the Tech Award in HSC results of 2022,    12.5% achieved a D*,   58.3% D*-D,   77.1% D*-M and   97.9% D* – P.  In the Extended Certificate results of 2022, 14.7% achieved a D*, 82.4% D*-D and 100% D*-M with an ALPS rating of  3  . In the Diploma results of 2022, 62.5% achieved D*-D* – DD and 87.5% D* D* – M M with an ALPS rating of 4 .

In the Tech Award in HSC results of 2021, 25% achieved a D*, 55% D*-D, 82% D*-M and 100% D* – P.  In the Extended Certificate results of 2021, 68% achieved a D*, 95% D*-D and 100% D*-M with an ALPS rating of 1. In the Diploma results of 2021, 37.5% achieved D*-D*, 75% D* D* – DD and 100% D* D* – M M with an ALPS rating of 2.

When students have completed their courses, they are ready for the next stage of their education, employment or training. They have the qualifications, knowledge and skills they need that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their aspirations.  Many students go on to further study, reading courses within the industry, including midwifery, teacher training and nursing. The department has had a consistent record of students progressing to their chosen courses in related degree subjects. 

In 2022, 32 of the 51 students went on to further study at University, with 13 reading courses directly related to HSC, including Nursing, Speech and Language therapy and Education.  10 of these students were disadvantaged.

In 2021, 27 of the 38 students went on to further study at University, with 17 reading courses directly related to HSC, including Nursing, Midwifery and Education, many of whom were first generation students or from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Recruitment at KS4 is high with a three class cohort in both 2022-23 and 2021-22.  In addition, the number of students who continue to advance their studies at KS5 is also high with two classes of Extended Certificate and one class of Diploma in both 2022-23 and 2021-22.

The success and outcomes of students is monitored and analysed every year by looking at results gained in Years 10,11, 12 and 13.  The impact of the curriculum is reviewed through student voice activities and results data alongside student destinations.  The retention rate of students is excellent from the Tech Award to the Extended certificate and Diploma courses.

Enjoyment of the curriculum and its format allows students to access all aspects of the courses which promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour.  Students feel safe to try new things.  This allows the department to contribute to the World class status of the school and offer a world class curriculum.  As well as making progress in their studies, the department has an impact on the students’ wider development through their involvement in initiatives such as Weatherfriends, Makaton and First Aid training, which is for Childcare and HSC students. KS5 HSC students have the opportunity to interact with people in Later Adulthood through our Weatherfriends initiative.

2 large classrooms designed for examination subjects with ICT access; specialist Weathertots room.

These facilities offer students the chance to develop their skills and achieve success. The specialist equipment allows for focused lessons in a bright and positive environment. All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and these are used to enhance lessons through the use of visual materials.

Classrooms are available at lunchtimes and after school for support clinics. Teachers are there to offer advice and give support to enable students to achieve their best. The use of the clinics promotes student independence in their learning.

• Placement and volunteer programme for post 16 students – linked to the post 16 course they are studying.
• Pink Week in Sixth Form – raising funds for breast cancer awareness.
• Regular fundraising and charity events including cake sales, discos and Race for Life.
• Makaton course for Childcare students to enable them to gain vital skills in interacting with children.
• First Aid course for Childcare students to give them a qualification in Paediatric First Aid.