Curriculum Intent: Pearson Level 1/2 Health and Social Care
Core Purpose & Vision
Our Health and Social Care curriculum is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower students to understand the diverse needs of individuals across the human lifespan. Rooted in our core values of Belong, Explore, and Excel, this vocational qualification cultivates compassionate, socially responsible citizens who understand the vital role of care in society, while providing a robust academic foundation for future professionals in the health, social care, and early years sectors.
How Our Ethos Shapes the Curriculum & Assessment
- Belong: Cultivating Empathy, Inclusion, and Identity
In Health and Social Care, Belonging is the bedrock of everything we teach.
- In the Classroom: We create a safe, inclusive environment where every student feels valued, mirroring the exact inclusive practices required in care settings.
- Through the Specification: As students study Human Growth and Development (Component 1), they develop a profound understanding of how diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life events shape a person’s identity. They explore the 7 Care Values (such as maintaining dignity and respecting diversity), learning how to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals in our society are always made to feel that they belong.
- How It Is Assessed: * Assessment Type: Pearson-Set Assignment (PSA) — An internal, school-assessed coursework project (30% of total qualification).
- The Challenge: Completed under supervised conditions, students are given a real-world case study. They must write an extended report analyzing how specific life events have impacted that individual’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development, and how they can be supported to cope.
- Explore: Investigating the Realities of the Care Sector
We encourage our students to look outward and Explore the complex world around them with curiosity and critical thinking.
- In the Classroom: Students don’t just memorize theory; they dive into real-world case studies, analyzing the biological, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors that impact human health.
- Through the Specification: In Health and Social Care Services and Values (Component 2), students explore the vast network of the NHS and social services. They investigate how care is delivered and actively examine the physical, financial, and psychological barriers individuals face when trying to access support, developing into informed advocates for social justice.
- How It Is Assessed: * Assessment Type: Pearson-Set Assignment (PSA) — An internal, school-assessed coursework project (30% of total qualification).
- The Challenge: Completed in a supervised assessment window, students review a vocational scenario to explore how care values are applied in practice and explain how individuals can overcome barriers to access the services they need.
- Excel: High Aspirations and Professional Mastery
We hold the highest expectations for our students, challenging them to Excel both academically and personally.
- In the Classroom: We foster the resilience, rigorous academic literacy, and analytical skills needed to master complex vocational reports and synoptic assessments.
- Through the Specification: In Health and Wellbeing (Component 3), students demonstrate their ability to excel by acting as practitioners. They learn to interpret complex physiological indicators (such as blood pressure and BMI) and lifestyle data to design bespoke, professional health and wellbeing improvement plans. We empower them to target the highest grades, unlocking pathways to Level 3 BTECs, T-Levels, A-Levels, and future careers in nursing, midwifery, social work, or therapies.
- How It Is Assessed: * Assessment Type: External Examination — A 2-hour, synoptic written exam marked by Pearson (40% of total qualification).
- The Challenge: This exam requires students to draw upon learning from the entire course. They are given a comprehensive profile of an individual and must assess their current health status, analyse lifestyle risks, and write a fully justified health and wellbeing management plan.
Curriculum & Assessment
| Ethos | Curriculum Mapping | Assessment Method & Weighting | Key Student Outcome |
| BELONG | Component 1: Human Lifespan Development & Care Values | Internal Assessment (PSA)
School-assessed coursework project. Weighting: 30% |
Developing deep empathy, self-awareness, and an understanding of inclusive practice. |
| EXPLORE | Component 2: Health & Social Care Services | Internal Assessment (PSA)
School-assessed coursework project. Weighting: 30% |
Investigating how the sector operates and examining barriers to care. |
| EXCEL | Component 3: Health & Wellbeing (Synoptic) | External Examination
2-hour written paper marked by Pearson. Weighting: 40% |
Applying data analysis and critical thinking to create professional health plans under exam conditions. |
Our Commitment: By embedding Belong, Explore, Excel into both our day-to-day teaching and our rigorous assessment preparation, we ensure our students leave us not just with a high-quality qualification, but with the heart to care, the drive to investigate, and the skills to lead the next generation of healthcare champions.
Curriculum Map – Year 10
Curriculum Map – Year 11
Staff Details
Mrs Sweeney – Teacher and Assessor for H&S Care
Mrs Brown – BTEC Nominee
