Exam Board EDEXCEL
Exam Two units (units 1 & 2) are assessed through the production of portfolios and one is externally assessed by a written test (unit 3)
What is a GCSE in Health & Social Care?
A GCSE in Health & Social Care is a nationally recognised work-related qualification designed to provide you with a choice of routes into further education or employment. It is made up of three units.
What is a Double Award?
A double award is a qualification equal to two GCSEs – it is twice the size of most GCSEs
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking the GCSE in Health & Social Care?
You do not need to have studied health or social care before starting the GCSE. It is important that you have a lively and enquiring mind, and interest in health and social care, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.
Why should I choose this course?
You will:
- Gain an understanding of health and social care
- Learn about the stages of personal development
- Have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical; and realistic way
- Follow a programme of study that enables progression to further courses and employment in the health and care services
- Develop Key Skills which are highly valued by employers and further education
- Gain confidence by developing independent learning skills
The Structure of the GCSE in Health and Social Care
Unit 1: Health, Social Care and Early Years provision
The care industry is split into three areas, health care, social care and early years care. You will look at what each of the services does and how they work together to provide care for different people. You will find out about the many different jobs that are on offer within the care industry and how people must behave in these jobs.
Unit 2: Promoting Health and Well-being
This unit will help you to look after your own health and well-being and understand ways of helping others. Many things affect people’s health and well-being from a balanced diet and exercise to having an interesting job. You will learn how to recognise poor health and well-being and how to put it right
Unit 3: Understanding Personal Development and Relationships
As people get older, they change. They grow in size, they change physically and they change the way they think and act. You will find out about the different stages and the things that affect growth and development. You will look at different relationships that people have, for example family and how people are changed by the birth of a baby.
What Assessments Will I do?
In addition to ongoing classwork you will be given an assessed assignment for both units 1 or 2. These are marked for both units 1 and 2. These are marked by your teacher and moderated by the board. Each assignment counts for a third of your double GCSE. The final is a written exam paper based on unit 3, set and marked by Edexcel.
How is it graded?
A GCSE in Health & Social Care is a double award so is awarded two grades. The grades will be the summary of your results for each of the three units. These will be reported as A*A* through to GG depending on how well you have done in each of your three units.
What course or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?
Students gaining a GCSE in Health and Social Care will have access to a range of career and further education opportunities. You will use a variety of skills throughout the course, including collecting, interpreting data, communicating your findings in different ways, and identifying and developing the links between different parts of the subject. These skills are in great demand and are recognised and highly valued by employers and colleges.
The GCSE in Health and Social Care is a good starting point for jobs in the care services such as nursing, social worker, care assistant and working with children. The options open to you depend on the results achieved, entry requirements and your own interests; your teacher will be able to help you decide on the next step.
If you wish to continue studying health and social care in a vocational context, you may consider a Vocational A level in Health and Social Care. You may wish instead to study one of the three related BTEC national courses in Caring, Health Studies or Early years. Otherwise, you may wish to study an Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced GCE in Psychology or Social Policy, You can then continue your studies in Higher Education on either a BTEC Higher National or degree, There are a large variety of higher education courses that are based around health, and social care.
Contact member of staff: Mrs D Ellis |
