Health and Social Care/ Childcare 

The vision of the department is that it can become the means by which our students can become resilient individuals who are prepared and equipped for an ever-changing world.  The department aims to help young people develop a sense of self-worth and the wisdom to see the world through the eyes of others. We also want our learners to develop and have empathy for those around them, locally and globally, and to be able to consider the dilemmas some people face from all walks of life.

In an ever-developing vocational area the intention of this qualification is to ensure that each student has the opportunity to understand the wide range of vocational opportunities and entry routes in Early Years and Childcare, and to challenge stereotypes such as entry routes and gender roles. The Health and Social Care (HSC) and Childcare courses could lead to a long-term career within the health care, social care and childcare sectors.

The HSC Department seeks to have high aspirations for all of our students, supporting them to progress during their time at The Cotswold School, and encourage them to achieve the best that they are able to. We seek to design, implement and evaluate a curriculum which offers breadth and balance, impacts on students’ personal development and welfare, and has a positive impact on Level 2 and 3 courses. While we support students to develop their knowledge and skills, we encourage them to ask questions, develop their understanding and build confidence in their own abilities.  Students will be provided with transferable skills and tools to improve their learning in other subjects, thus enhancing their employability when leaving education.

Curriculum

At Key Stage 4 we follow the Cambridge National Levels 1 and 2 in Child Development

At Key Stage 5 we follow the Cambridge Technical Level 3 in Health and Social Care.  In Year 12 this is the Extended Certificate (double award) and Foundation Diploma (triple award).  In Year 13 this is the Diploma (double award) and Extended Diploma (triple award). 

The Child Development and HSC Department aims to make lessons engaging and challenging but, above all, that are memorable and enjoyable. We hope to use our lessons to encourage our students to look at the world with an informed and enquiring mind.  We believe that the most important part of our work is to equip all of our young people with the ability to live a full life, where they can become confident and questioning individuals and provide them with the future to which they aspire.  Close links with the Cotswold Friends charity enables the students to work in residential settings and also attend sessions working with individuals with dementia/ lonely elderly individuals etc.

Approaches to Learning and Assessment

The Child Development and HSC Department aims to make lessons engaging and challenging but, above all, that are memorable and enjoyable. We hope to use our lessons to encourage our students to look at the world with an informed and enquiring mind.  We believe that the most important part of our work is to equip all of our young people with the ability to live a full life, where they can become confident and questioning individuals and provide them with the future to which they aspire.  Close links with the Cotswold Friends charity enables the students to work in residential settings and also attend sessions working with individuals with dementia/ lonely elderly individuals etc.

Lessons include:

  • Activities to develop communication and presentation skills, both in individual and group scenarios.
  • An emphasis on real world experiences, through the use of realistic case studies, and increasing the level of contact with cc workers and services, through trips and visitors.
  • Aspirational teaching – all students are encouraged and supported to complete work tasks above their target grade, and supported to do so.
  • At least 50%* of the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 courses are assessed through coursework. Assessment tasks are clearly differentiated with clear instructions to facilitate independent working, as well as ensuring exam access arrangements are used within mock tests.

Pupils are given clear direction with frequent formative and summative assessment.

Supporting Individual Students

  • At Key Stage 5 – We ensure we choose optional units that are engaging for all pupils but also accessible to all pupils.
  • Teachers and Teaching Assistants work closely together to support SEND pupils.
  • Differentiated resources and broken down/ step by step guides per lesson ensures both Teaching Assistant and student are aware of what they need to achieve that lesson.
  • Exam access arrangements are used for every end of LO mock at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
  • Making instructions and expectations clear.
  • Pupils know what to expect e.g. coursework submitted regularly.
  • Strong relationships between teacher and pupil – mutual respect/ pupils are motivated.
  • Close communication with home/ tutor/Head of Year etc.
  • Teachers model behaviour and show their love for the subject. We create a sense of community and a safe space where we can all feel comfortable to talk openly and honestly in a safe and respectful environment, no matter how sensitive the subject or how silly the question may seem.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

What opportunities are there for extra-curricular learning and trips?

  • Cotswold Friends Charity work – doing volunteering to get hands on experience in the Health and Social Care sector. HSC students work with the charity in a variety of settings – care homes/ allotments/ social lunch clubs etc.
  • Pupils are able to learn about a wealth of different HSC roles throughout Key Stages 4 and 5.
  • Pupils can attend webinars and taster days at local universities for midwifery etc.
  • Pupils work with children 0-5 years as part of Key Stage 4 coursework and the option of working at nursery for work experience.
  • In the Anatomy and Physiology unit at Key Stage 5, we have run the Couch25K at lunchtimes (optional) as part of a fitness programme.
  • Work experience is carried out in Year 10 and Years 12 and 13 in the HSC sectors.
  • Links with Bourton Primary School and local care homes.