The social sciences are those subjects which examine and explain human society and behaviours.  At St Thomas More we offer courses in health and social care, child development and care, psychology and sociology.

Key Stage 4

Health and Social Care

This is a subject that develops the skills and knowledge needed to do well in any health care or social care role. We offer a CACHE level 2 Technical Award in Health and Social Care. The course consists of three units they include;

1. An introduction to the health and social care sector; this unit includes types of services, job roles, how to meet needs, access to services and quality assurance.
2. Professional practice and the health and social care practitioner; this unit includes working as a team, the skills and attributes of practitioners, care values and working in a person centred way.
3. Human growth and development through the life stages; this unit includes studying stages of development from conception through to late adulthood, significant life events and support services available.

Learning is assessed through 3 pieces of coursework which make up 55% of the overall grade and one external exam which makes up 45% of the overall grade. This is a level 2 course and is graded pass, merit or distinction. This is the equivalent of between a grade four and a grade eight.

Child Development and Care

Child development involves the study of changes that happen to people from birth until adolescence. These can be physical, intellectual, emotional or social changes. We study the pattern in which children usually develop and how best to encourage their development. This is studied within the childcare context to prepare young people how best to nurture look after young children in a variety of settings;  such as teachers in primary schools or therapists in the community.

We offer a CACHE level 2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care. This course consists of 2 units they include;

1. An introduction to working with children aged 0 to 5 years; this unit involves studying the different settings available for children. The expectation of and responsibilities of an early years worker.
2. Development and well-being 0 to 5 years; this unit includes studying the patterns of development in children, the factors that affect the development, how to support children’s development and well-being and major life transitions.

Learning is assessed through 2 pieces of coursework which make up 50% of the overall grade and one external exam which makes up 50% of the overall grade. This course is graded A* – D; this is the equivalent of between a grade three and a grade eight.

Key Stage 5

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and how it dictates and influences our behaviour. We offer AQA A level psychology; learning is assessed through three external exam papers, which are each two hours long. These papers are on the following;

1. Introductory Topics in Psychology
2. Psychology in Context
3. Issues and Options in Psychology

Health and Social Care

We offer a single award (known as the extended certificate) that is the equivalent to one full a level and double award (which is known as the diploma) which is the equivalent of two full A-levels. The course is a Cambridge Technical Level 3 course and the exam board is OCR.

On the single award we currently offer the following units;

1. Building Positive Relationships in Health and Social Care
2. Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care
3. Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care
4. Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
5. Public Health
6. Supporting People with Mental Health Conditions

Three of these units are assessed through an external exam and three through the completion of coursework.

When studying the double award, students currently study the following units in addition to those taken on the single award;

1. Infection Control
2. Personalisation and a Person Centred Approach to Care
3. Safeguarding
4. Promote Positive Behaviour
5. Promoting Health and Well-Being
6. Psychology for Health and Social Care

Two of these units are assessed through an external exam and four through the completion of coursework. The course is graded pass, merit and distinction/ * this is the equivalent of between an E and an A*

Sociology

Sociology is the study of human society and how it’s structure and the relationships between different groups affect human behaviour and experiences. We offer AQA A level sociology; learning is assessed through three external exam papers, which are each two hours long. These papers are on the following;

1. Education with Theory and Methods
2. Topics in Sociology
3. Crime and deviance with theory and methods

Who should I contact for more information?

Mrs J Burton – Head of Department JBurton@stmca.org.uk