Science and Social Sciences

 

SCIENCE

Key Stage 3

The emphasis is placed on allowing pupils to seek answers to scientific problems via practical investigations.  Great care is taken to develop the necessary skills for this. These include planning; designing and carrying out experiments; interpreting results; drawing conclusions; and communicating the findings clearly.  In addition students begin to value the role of creativity, debate and discussion in the scientific community.

The course is designed to allow pupils to work at their own pace and provides many opportunities for study to a high academic level.  All units studied during the Key Stage fit within the broad categories of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics and students are expected to build up a body of knowledge and skills ready for their transition to Key Stage 4.

At Key Stage 3 we subscribe to the Exploring Science course which now incorporates How Science Works. Assessing Pupil Progress (APP), as a means of measuring attainment, is now fully implemented.

Key Stage 4

Science is about discovering why things happen and the mechanisms governing the natural world, as well as our interaction with it.  It is a very important part of everyday life and because of this all students study Science at Key Stage 4.  The topics covered emphasise scientific literacy by developing the knowledge and understanding which students need in order to become educated consumers of Science. Our courses are designed to enable students to:

  • Recognise the impact of Science on everyday life
  • Make informed decisions about issues which involve Science
  • Understand and reflect on the Science reported in the media
  • Develop the skills needed for science-related employment

Each course contains elements of the three ‘traditional’ disciplines:

  • Biology – the study of living things and their interaction with their environment
  • Chemistry – the study of materials, their manufacture, their interaction and their use
  • Physics – the study of energy, forces and our place in the Universe

BTEC Firsts in Applied Science

BTEC Firsts are available at either the Certificate, Extended Certificate or Diploma level.  Each is a self-contained and well rounded study of the whole subject but, of course, the depth of study varies. A decision is made as to the appropriateness of each course for each student as they approach the end of Key Stage 3 and setting takes place, where appropriate in October / November of Year 10.

BTEC Firsts are entirely coursework-based and internally assessed within the College. This allows considerable flexibility regarding pace.  Each assignment begins with a vocationally relevant scenario which then leads to the completion of a range of formative and summative assessment tasks all aimed at developing a specific area of knowledge and capability.

Success on each course is graded at the Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction+ level.

GCSE Separate Sciences

Often referred to as ‘Triple Science’ this course follows a more traditional route.  Three separate GCSE subjects are followed over the course of 2 years leading to 3 GCSE qualifications, 1 each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  The course is tailored to those with significant talent in the subject and with a strong desire to enter employment or Post-16 education which has a strong scientific element.

Each of the three GCSEs studied comes for the OCR Twenty First Century Science range and each contains a mixture of formal examinations and a coursework element. The Twenty First Century range are very modern in their outlook in that they not only provide the content required but also engender a sense of responsibility and encourage students to consider where Science ‘fits’ in the World as a whole.

Head of Science : Mr S J Romaine

 

SOCIAL SCIENCES

 

 

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Key Stage 4 OCR National Award Level 2 (worth 2 x GCSE A* – C Grades)

What is Health and Social Care?

  • Health and Social Care is a vocational subject that looks at the development and care of people of all ages.
  • The course provides a solid foundation for anyone wishing to work in the Health, Social Care or Early Years Settings.
  • The NHS is one of the largest employers of the UK employing over 1.5 million people to do a wide variety of jobs caring for a wide range of people with different needs.

What will I actually study?

There are 3 units of work to be studied over the two years of this course.  The two compulsory units are:

  • Practical Caring— this module looks at the aids which are available to people with mobility problems and what skills carers need in order to give practical help.  You will also learn how to provide practical help.
  • Communicating with Service users in Care Settings.  This unit explores different types of communication skills and factors which affect those skills.

What qualification will I receive?

If you take the National Award you will achieve 2 GCSEs.

What Careers will this Course prepare me for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Stage 5 OCR A/S and A2 Courses

What is Health and Social Care?

  • This course will provide a broad understanding of what it is like to work within a care profession.
  • The course looks at services and the roles carried out by care workers within the health sector, eg, Hospitals, Early Years Services such as Nursery Schools and Social Services: for example, respite care for the disabled.

What will I actually study?

There are 3 units of work to be studied in the first year of this course (A/S):

  • Unit 1: Promoting Quality Care
  • Unit 2: Communication in Care Settings
  • Unit 3: Promoting Good Health

Three further units will be studied in the second year in order to achieve one A level (A2).

If you opt for the double award you will study  6 units each year.

How is the work assessed?

Unit 1 is externally assessed in the form of a written exam.

Units 2 & 3 are coursework units which are internally assessed and then externally moderated.

What do I need to do to gain entry to the Course?

You will need to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above and one of them should be English.   You do not need to have studied Health and Social Care at KS4.

What qualification will I receive?

If you take the single award you will achieve one A level.  If you opt to take the double award you will achieve 2 A levels.

What Careers will this Course prepare me for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Childhood Studies

Child Development

Home Economics: Child Development GCSE

This 2 year course comprises of three units:

 BO13 –  assessed by exam and is worth 40% of the overall marks. The exam will be taken in the summer of Year 11.  Topics studied are:

  • Family and Parenting
  • Preparation for Pregnancy and Birth
  • Physical Development
  • Nutrition  and  Health
  • Intellectual, Emotional & Social Development
  • Community Support

 BO11 – controlled assessment worth 30% of the total marks (each task is worth 10%). Students are required to carry out three short tasks, two of which are practical and one of which is an investigative task.  The short tasks will be carried out in Year  10.

BO12 – controlled assessment worth 30% marks.  Students are required to complete a child study which will assess the following skills:

  • Research
  • Selecting and Justifying Choices
  • Planning
  • Practical Work
  • Evaluation

Students must have access to a child aged 0-5 years for the child study.   The child study will be completed in the Summer Term of Year 10 and the Autumn Term of Year 11.

Psychology (AS/A Level)

Psychology is an academic discipline involving the scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour.  Psychologists study such concepts as memory, stress, abnormality, emotion, personality, behaviour, interpersonal relationships and individual behaviour.  Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to various fields of human activity including issues related to daily life, for example: the management of aggression, the treatment of mental health problems, the management of stress and the treatment of eating disorders.  Psychology includes many sub-fields of study, including such areas as research, human development, sports, health, industry, media and law.  The study of Psychology is also considered to be excellent grounding for either employment or Higher Education and is widely accepted by universities as suitable preparation for all degree courses.

 

Sociology (GCSE)

Sociology is the study of the society in which you live; therefore you will already have some knowledge of the subject before you start!

Sociology is about:

  • how people live
  • what makes society work
  • why people behave as they do
  • how social groups such as family, youth groups and schools affect us.

A Sociology student would examine the way in which society shapes people’s values, beliefs and invites us to challenge and question many common sense assunptions we have about society and people’s lives.  During the two year course you will be encouraged to give your opinions on a number of subjects, including the reasons for education, why certain people commit crime, whether the media encourages violence, whether a ‘normal’ family exists.

What does the Year 10 Course cover?

  • Studying Society
  • Sociology of the family
  • Sociology of Education

Assessment

There is a written examination at the end of Year 10.  The paper is divided into three sections and all sections contain stimulus response questions.

What does the Year 11 Course cover?

  • Mass Media
  • Crime and Deviance
  • Social Inequalities

Assessment

There is a written examination at the end of Year 11.  The paper is divided into three sections and all sections contain stimulus response questions.

  • Both written examinations can be taken at the end of Year 11 if appropriate.

Why should I study Sociology?

Sociology is most useful for anyone thinking of going into a professions  that involves working with other people, such as those below.  Sociology A Level is available in the 6th Form at Paignton (see below) and can contribute towards an Art or Science based Degree.

Relevance to future Careers and to Real Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sociology (A/S & A2 – Level 3)

Sociology is a subject that looks at how we and others live our lives.  It covers a range of different subject areas all of which affect us every day.  For example a sociology student would examine the way in which society shapes people’s values, their education, career, families and roles that they play in life. The subject is a “living” subject and relates to current issues that are happening today, questioning why things happen and what the consequences of those things are to individuals and to society as a whole.  For example, what are the consequences of youth crime increasing?  How does an increase in divorce affect individuals and society as a whole?  We also look at increasing social inequality and try to provide answers to the kinds of questions commonly asked.  For example:

  • Why do certain people commit crime?
  • Why do some people fail at school?
  • Why does poverty still exist?

The subject provides theories to help explain how and why events occur and gives the basis for future studies and research.

The study of sociology gives students a valuable insight into how both individuals and groups of people are influenced by society.

What does the A level  course contain?

A/S

  • Families and Households
  • Education plus Research Methods

A2

  • Mass Media
  • Crime and Deviance

Will I have to do coursework?

No.  Coursework is no longer part of the specification although research will be carried out as part of the course.  This enables all students to gain valuable research skills which is looked upon  favourably by universities.

How is the course assessed?

The course is divided into 4 modules.  Modules one and two are studied and assessed in year 12.  This leads to an AS award.  Modules three and four are studied and assessed in year 13 leading to a full A’ level.

What do I need to do to gain entry to the Course?

You will need to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above and one of them must be English due to the extensive reading and writing of essays which is involved in your studies.   You do not need to have studied Sociology at KS4.

Why should I study Sociology?

Sociology is most useful for anyone thinking of going into the professions indicated below:

Relevance to future Careers and to Real Life

 

For more information on the Social Sciences please contact Ms Debs Appleby (2nd in the Science and Social Sciences Faculty).