Health & Social Care

Staffing List:

Mrs C Cooper - Lead Teacher

Vision statement:

At Testbourne Community School, our vision is to nurture confident, compassionate, and career-ready learners by connecting classroom knowledge with real-world care. Through practical experiences in local settings including nurseries, residential centres and our interactive Virtual Baby programme. Our students develop essential skills, empathy and confidence to make a real difference in people’s lives.

We deliver the OCR Cambridge National Level 1/2 in Health & Social Care (J835) — a qualification for students aged 14–16, equivalent to a GCSE. This course blends examined and non-examined units, focusing on real-world knowledge and practical skills in key areas such as:

  • Developing effective communication
  • Equality, diversity and rights
  • Health, safety and security
  • Development through the life stages
  • Promoting health through campaigns

By combining academic learning with hands-on experiences, our students are well prepared for future study or careers in the health, care, and early years sectors.

Curriculum Map - Health & Social Care KS4.docx

KS4 Curriculum:

The course is comprised of three components of study over Years 10 and 11. Students complete two internally assessed coursework units and one externally assessed examination. The coursework includes a variety of written and practical projects that develop real-world knowledge and skills. As part of the practical learning experience, students also engage with local Health and Social Care settings through visits, observations, and collecting evidence such as witness statements and testimonials.

The units of study are:

  • R033 – Supporting individuals through life events (30%, internally assessed)
    Students explore a range of life events and how individuals are supported through them by health and social care services and professionals.
  • R035 – Health promotion campaigns (30%, internally assessed)
    Students plan, deliver, and evaluate a health promotion campaign, applying knowledge of public health issues and effective communication.
  • R032 – Principles of care in health and social care settings (40%, externally assessed exam)
    This unit focuses on the core principles of care, including rights, safeguarding, effective communication, and the importance of legislation in care settings.

Cambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge National in Health and Social Care specification J835

Opportunities to buy revision guides through the school are available to students and their parents early in year 10.

Cambridge National in Health and Social Care Revision Guide and Workbook with Digital Access (2 Years): Level 1/Level 2 (Cambridge Nationals): Amazon.co.uk: Baker, Rebecca: 9781009159319: Books

Encourage your child to read around the subject - looking at articles relating to public health in the news or reading interesting articles from publications such as the fitness and health industry are a great way for students to develop their understanding of Physical Intellectual Emotional and Social aspects of health (PIES).

  • Ensure your child is using their revision guide to prepare for unit tests and exams.
  • Check they are doing their homework, ask to see it. 
  • Support your child if they are involved in the Virtual Baby programmes offering guidance and promoting patience and emotional support.
  • Encourage the weekly production of mind maps or revision cards, and completion of practice exam questions.
  • Students should make use of mark schemes to check any practice papers or exam questions they have completed so that they can identify where they have gained and lost marks - a great deal can be gained from unpicking questions and understanding what marks are awarded for.

As part of the course, students take part in the Virtual Baby Programme, a hands-on experience designed to simulate the responsibilities of caring for an infant. Using lifelike electronic babies that require feeding, changing, and comforting, students gain a realistic insight into the physical, emotional, and practical demands of early parenthood. This engaging activity helps develop empathy, time management, and an understanding of child development in a safe and supported environment.

Further information

For more details, please contact Mrs Cooper, Head of Health & Social Care, at c.cooper@testbourne.school