Vocational Subjects

Academic subjects and pathways require students to achieve at least four grade 4s at GCSE.

BUSINESS STUDIES
Exam board: OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

This qualification will provide learners with the opportunity through applied learning to develop the core specialist knowledge, skills and understanding required in the business sector. Learners must achieve a total of 5 units consisting of 3 mandatory units and 2 optional units. 2 units are externally assessed by exams while the rest are internally assessed. 
This qualification allows you to gain a Level 3 qualification to support further study in Further Education (FE) or Higher Education (HE) in business-related programmes and in any other sector or subject area 

CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Exam board: Pearson BTEC National Extended Certificate

You will develop a detailed understanding of the development of children with practical experience in supporting children in different settings. You will learn the fundamental principles for supporting a child. Childcare allows you to be creative, use initiative and analyse the impact of procedures, legislation and protocols that are followed within settings. 
This is a useful course for those interested in progressing to higher education or working in early year’s practitioners working with young children such as nursing or becoming a teacher. 

WJEC LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN CRIMINOLOGY

WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology is a qualification with elements of Psychology, Law and Sociology that complements studies in humanities related subjects. The qualification would support learners’ progression from any study at Level 2, particularly GCSEs in Sociology, Law or Psychology. The course will go beyond the traditional academic study with guest speakers from agencies involved in services/practice that the Criminology course material covers.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Exam board: OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate/ Diploma

This qualification will enable learners to progress to a degree programme chosen from a range of programmes in the health and social care sector.  The course is delivered through a range of methods and is often led by students following research in particular areas, however students will need to develop their independent learning skills. 
You could progress directly into health, social care, early years work or move into higher education. This is for those interested in health care, early years or practitioners such as nursing or becoming a teacher. 

SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exam board: OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3  Extended Certificate/ Diploma

The sport sector is a fast-growing industry. It is currently worth £39 billion to the economy and continues to grow annually (‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation DCMS, 2015’). Coaching is an area that continues to expand, with up to 3.1 million adults in England estimated to have coached sport or physical activity in the previous 12 months, providing 7.6 million coach-led participation experiences per week (Coaching in an Active Nation The Coaching Plan for England, YouGov Study, 2016). It enables learners to develop underpinning knowledge, to gain experience as a coach and to build skills to impact positively on sports development programmes. Learners will gain the knowledge and applied skills to work with different customers in sports development programmes, understand how best to impact participation and improve performance skills, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to be self-employed in the coaching and development sector