Social Sciences

Qualifications to start the course

Students must have five GCSEs including English, Mathematics and Science graded A* – C.

Description of the subject

This course is taken in addition to the BTEC HSC Double Award. This course covers caring for service users in a range of care settings and includes areas of Science, Psychology and Sociology. Students will be expected to complete assignments based on care settings and the workplace. Health and Social Care looks at a wide range of care settings; residential homes, hospitals, nurseries and schools, and how to care for and treat people in these settings. This will allow students to develop the necessary skills for career progression in the health and social care sector.

What you will do

Year 12

Topics Covered/ Areas of Focus: At Level 3 the Edexcel BTEC Extended Diploma is offered to year 12 students. This course covers a range of different service users in a variety of care settings such as residential homes, hospitals, nurseries and schools. Students are expected to complete assignments based on care settings and the workplace. It will allow students to develop the necessary skills for career progression in the health and social care sectors. At level 3 students will gain knowledge of: human lifespan development, principles of safe practice, physiological disorders, equality and rights, human development, dementia, and nutritional health.

Year 13

Topics Covered/ Areas of Focus:

The OCR Cambridge Technical in Health and Social Care is in its final year. Students who have completed this course in year 12 will complete the remaining units in year 13. This course looks at a range of different service users in a variety of care settings such as residential homes, hospitals, nurseries and schools. Students are expected to complete assignments based on care settings and the workplace. It will allow students to develop the necessary skills for career progression in the health and social care sectors.

Students will gain knowledge of: careers in health and social care, psychology, sociology, nutrition, complementary therapies, anatomy and physiology, research methods and the psychology of ill health.

Future prospects

Achievement of a Level 3 course allows students to progress to higher education or training courses such as Nursing, Childcare and Early Years, Care Assistant, Care Worker, and Education.

Qualifications to start the course

Minimum entry requirements for all A Level courses are minimum of 8 GCSE subjects, with an average grade of 6 (legacy grade B) or above; including at least a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language (or Literature) and GCSE mathematics and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Science.

In addition, to study this subject you must have a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

Description of the subject

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. You will explore issues dealing with how and why people behave in certain ways and what links people’s behaviour to the environment.

A-level Psychology is a two year linear course which consists of three externally assessed units incorporating a range of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions. External examinations will take place at the end of the second year covering all of the content. Internal examinations will take place at the end of year 12 to determine progression onto year 13.

What you will do

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues
• Apply psychological knowledge and understanding content in a range of theoretical and practical contexts
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods
• To make judgements and reach conclusions and develop and refine practical design and procedures.
• Evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills
• Design and conduct research, including the analysis and interpretation of data.

Year One Psychology includes:

Unit 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology:

• Social Influence
• Memory
• Attachment
• Psychopathology

Unit 2: Psychology in Context

• Approaches in psychology
• Biopsychology
• Research Methods (including data handling and analysis, scientific processes and inferential testing)

Year Two Psychology includes:

Unit 2: Psychology in Context (continuation from year 12)

• Approaches in psychology
• Research methods (including data handling and analysis, scientific processes and inferential testing)

Unit 3: Issues and options in psychology

• Issues and debates in psychology
• Relationships
• Schizophrenia
• Forensic psychology

Future prospects

Following a degree course in any of the Social Sciences can lead to a career in Health and Social Care Services, Human Resources, Business Management, Education and Research, Prison Services, Civil Service, Forensic Services. In addition, there are several core fields students could enter following a degree course in Psychology: Clinical Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Educational Psychology and Research.

Qualifications to start the course

Minimum entry requirements for all A Level courses are minimum of 8 GCSE subjects, with an average grade of 6 (legacy grade B) or above; including at least a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language (or Literature) and GCSE mathematics and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Science.

In addition, to study this subject you must have a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language.

Description of the subject

Sociology is the study of human interaction. The main concern is to explain human behaviour by examining individuals, small groups and institutions such as political organisations, the education system and the family. Sociology addresses ‘important’ questions such as: ‘Why do girls generally perform better than boys in education? Why are some people racist, sexist or homophobic?’, attempting to answer these by considering various sociological perspectives (Marxism, functionalism, feminism) and a wide range of current research and evidence. It gives a better understanding of society and new insight into the way human life is organised. Sociology enables people to make sense of their own experiences.

What you will do

Future prospects

Sociology is recognised by all universities. It is a very popular and relevant subject for contemporary society. It is useful for most occupations (Politics, Law, Health & Social Care/Services, Education and the business world).