Health & Social Care BTEC (Extended Certificate)
Exam Board & Specification: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care
Subject Lead:
Sixth Form Team
What will students study at Key Stage 5?
Year 12: Programme typically includes externally assessed units (e.g., Human Lifespan Development; Working in Health & Social Care) and internal assignments (Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs), applying care values and communication to realistic scenarios.
Year 13: Optional/synoptic units deepen application (e.g., Physiological Disorders), with case‑study investigations and professional documentation. External assessments and internal assignments combine to demonstrate readiness for HE or apprenticeships.
What do assessments test?
- External units: applied knowledge under exam conditions
- Internal units: vocational assignment criteria evidencing investigation, application and evaluation
What are the expectations of my child in this subject?
Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.
What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?
Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).
How can I best support my child in this subject?
Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.