Health and Social Care Curriculum

The aim of Health and Social care is to provide pupils with enough knowledge on human lifespan development to prepare them personally for life, to develop knowledge of the different pathways in working in the health and social care sector and how to support a range of individuals with different needs. 

Here at Meopham School, Health and social care gives pupils the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. We go into depth of how and why we develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially across all our different life stages from birth until end of life in later adulthood. We look into the factors as well as a range of predictable and unpredictable life events and the different lifestyles that could also hinder or benefit our development. The reason we go into so much detail, further than they need for the specification of the exam is we feel it is important for pupils to know what they have either experienced or are going to experience during their lifespan.  Pupils get to understand their lives so far and understand who they are and why they are the person they have become. They also have a stronger understanding of others around them and accept that everyone is different. 

We also go into great depth of the different professionals who work in health and social care. Looking at their job roles, the skills they need and the personal attributes to be successful which we then link to careers and get pupils to research the pathways needed to become the different professionals. We do this so that pupils can see the vast range of careers in the health and social sector to try and get them away from the stereotype of just a nurse or a doctor, and they begin to have ideas of what careers they wish to take up. Pupils get to see what professional/career would best suit their personal attributes which again is supporting pupils for a future in health and social care. If it isn’t a career they want then they finish the course with knowledge of the professionals where they have built a respect for those working in the health and social care sector.

Therefore, studying Health and Social Care at Meopham will encourage learners to be inspired, moved and challenged by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study and gain an insight into related sectors. Pupils here at Meopham are actively engaged in the processes of health and social care to develop as effective and independent learners. This will prepare pupils to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices for the future but most importantly, they develop their awareness of the influences of their own and  an individual's health and wellbeing.

Implementation 

We teach the course in a practical environment where possible as pupils have to research information themselves and they find different ways of presenting their findings either through presentations, written tasks, drama pieces or advertisement campaigns.  Pupils have to find the information themselves and then have to use their research to present or teach others, therefore take on responsibility for their own and others learning. This student led learning approach means that pupils have to know what they are talking about and have to be confident in their knowledge. 

The research tasks are usually group related, where pupils take on a differentiated task either Red, Amber or Green as well as different job roles such as the team manager, designer of the presentation or the scribe for the drama pieces for example. 

Pupils also watch clips of documentaries or related programmes that show professionals in action or to witness the development of different ages across the life stages. Pupils have to analyse what they see which are usually done within small groups or class discussions. These help to paint a picture for them if they are doing a group task which involves them acting. 

Staff teaching health and social care help build a trusted and relaxed learning environment, due to the practicality and sensitive topics that are discussed in lessons by building the confidence of the pupils. Staff do this by being honest and open with them in regards to the development in their own lives and allow for pupils to express their own opinions. However, pupils know that everything spoken about and discussed in the lessons are to be respected and not to be discussed with others. 

Pupils then put all of this knowledge into their assessments which are coursework written in year 10 where they are allowed to select a celebrity or individual of their choice and they write about their development. Pupils have to research into the lives of this individual and this is why they are given some freedom with their choice to help keep them motivated and interested in the coursework. The other piece of coursework is more practically based, where pupils have to take on acting roles to show care values. We have chosen a more practical way of presenting coursework as most careers in the health and social care industry involve practical skills.

Once the pupils reach year 11 we then focus on putting our knowledge into writing ready for the written exam. We go into depth of how to answer the different style questions practising using a range of different individuals as they could be given any family with varying factors that could affect their development.  As pupils can visually picture the individuals from the practical based lessons and the student led learning prior to year 11, pupils are able to be more confident in their exams. 

During KS5, as well as written coursework, pupils also sit written exams to put their knowledge under exam style conditions. We go into depth of how to answer the different style questions practising using a range of different individuals as they could be given any family with varying factors that could affect their development.  As pupils can visually picture the individuals from the practical based lessons and the student led learning prior, pupils are able to be more confident in their exams. 

Overall, pupils are confident in their knowledge of how we develop as individuals and how to care and support others including those with specific needs therefore prepared for life after school as they move into early adulthood. 

 

Character in Health and Social Care

SMSC 

Spiritual - Spiritual education in Health & Social Care involves students having the opportunity to consider and discuss questions relating to all aspects of their own development and the development of those they may care for in the future. Students are encouraged to apply their own beliefs to a range of psychological and sociological issues and debates. They are encouraged to hear other students' opinions to develop a range of balanced viewpoints through assessed discursive activities. Lessons are developed to allow opportunities for students to be creative and resilient and allow for development and reflection of their progress, supported by teacher and peer feedback. 

Moral - Moral education in Health & Social Care involves students discussing values, attitudes and beliefs relating to a range of ethical and social issues. Students develop an understanding of concepts related to equality, diversity and rights in health and social care and are able to gain knowledge of discriminatory practice and means of combating this. They will also develop an understanding of national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice in health and social care settings. Moral education spans across many areas of study in Health & Social Care with ethical issues being discussed and applied in particular to a Health Promotion Campaign which pupils deliver in Yr 9. 

Social - Social education in Health & Social Care involves students being encouraged to consider the values, attitudes and roles of people that occur in different societies and cultures. They will learn to respect and understand the differences in human needs that occur in these cultures and societies. Throughout Health & Social Care students are led to work in different groupings, encouraging students to accept one another and learn to work alongside each other as a team. 

Cultural - Cultural education in Health & Social care involves students studying patients' needs across different cultures. Students will develop their understanding of and respect for the different needs people have and the effect it may have on their health and wellbeing. This is enveloped across many units and such differences are considered when evaluating Health & Social Care provision. 

Specific examples of Spiritual, Moral Social and Cultural Develop in Health and Social Care:

• Students will learn how communication is perceived by different cultures and how some methods can be considered a barrier to communication. Students also explore how services need to be made accessible and analyse the impact when communication process fails.

• Students in HSC are taught that different people hold different views about right and wrong but should always comply with the fundamental British law of this country, particularly when studying relevant HSC legislation and codes of practice. Students are encouraged to develop mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 

• They will also develop an understanding of national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice in health and social care settings 

• In HSC, at both KS4 and KS5, students consider a range of cultures and faiths and how these may impact their health behaviors and access to health and social care services. 

Literacy 

Pupils build on literacy skills through reading and researching to build their knowledge. 

Pupils also have to structure long mark questions as well as coursework essays so they have tasks which test their literacy skills such as letter writing. 

Numeracy 

Pupils explore numeracy by looking into living costs, and working out wages and cost of bills to provide for a range of family lifestyles as well as calculating BMI, working out blood pressure, peak flow and heart rate. 

CIAG 

A whole term focused on careers and working in the Health and Social Care industry. Pupils have to research a range of job roles, watch them in action through documentaries and then take on their roles through planning and delivering their own drama pieces. Pupils have to take on the skills and personal attributes of the professionals. 

During their research pupils look at the pathways of how to become these professionals and then look at how to apply through personal statement writing and the interview process.

At the end of each unit/component students have a set lesson based on careers linked to that topic.  

Buzz 

A lot of the tasks are practically based by getting the pupils to either visually see things in action, research it or act things out themselves. Pupils work in groups and take on roles adding competition across the groups to build on motivation and enthusiasm. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning therefore lots of student led learning takes place which builds on the Buzz in the classroom. The learning environment in health and social care lessons is built to inspire individuals.