Why we teach Health and Social Care at St Paul’s Academy

At St Paul’s, we teach Health and Social Care to help students develop essential knowledge and skills for both personal growth and potential future careers, while also fostering a deeper understanding of societal needs and responsibilities. It helps students understand how to maintain their physical and mental well-being, both for themselves and others. This knowledge encourages healthy lifestyles and awareness of the importance of well-being. The subject encourages students to think critically about issues like healthcare policy, ethical concerns in care, and the social determinants of health. These discussions can lead to informed opinions on important societal matters.

BTEC Health and Social Care 

Exam board: Edexcel

What will I study? 

The aims of this course of study are to give learners the opportunity to gain a broad understanding and knowledge of the health and social care sector. Give learners a more focused understanding of health and social care through the selection of optional specialist units. Learners will be given the opportunity to develop a range of personal skills and techniques, through the selection of units that are essential for successful performance in working life. 

What skills will I develop? 

Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development – this unit explores human growth and development across life stages, as well as the factors that affect human growth and development, and how they are interrelated. 

Unit 2: Health and Social Care Values – this unit explores the different types of health and social care services and barriers to accessing them, and the skills, attributes and values required to give care. 

Unit 3: Promoting Health and Wellbeing – this unit explores the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and how to design a health and wellbeing improvement plan. 

How will I be assessed? 

Unit 1 – This unit is internally assessed by written coursework worth 30% of final grade 

Unit 2 – This unit is internally assessed by written coursework worth 30% of the final grade 

Unit 3 – This unit is externally assessed by a task-based written exam worth 40% of the final grade 

Where can this course take me? 

This course supports progression into a more specialised level 3 vocational or academic course or into an apprenticeship. Career Paths like nursing, midwifery and healthcare assistants. This course can support you if you do T-level Vocational Studies or apprenticeships based on employment in the Early Years sector or move forward to complete a Degree in Health & Social Care.