Vocational Courses

Applied Science (Extended Certificate) enables students to study the principles and applications of sciences as well as practical scientific procedures and techniques, including;

• Principles and Applications of Biology - Structure and function of cells and tissues, biological molecules, enzymes and their role in organisms.
• Principles and Applications of Chemistry - Structure of the Periodic Table and its implications on physical and chemical properties of substances, through analysis of different bonding methods.
• Principles and Applications of Physics - Waves and their applications; force principles and their application in transportation and construction of electrical circuits.
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques - Practical applications across the sciences, including chromatography, colorimetry and electrical circuits.

Intent

In the 6th Form we offer The Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National in Applied Science (Extended Certificate) it is designed for post-16 students with a strong interest in science who aim to progress to higher education or employment. Equivalent to one A Level, this qualification develops applied scientific knowledge and practical skills alongside two A Levels, making it ideal for learners seeking a balanced academic and vocational pathway.

The course provides a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics, complemented by practical laboratory techniques and research skills. Developed in consultation with higher education and industry experts, it ensures students gain the knowledge, understanding, and transferable skills needed to succeed in university and beyond.

Implementation

Students will develop their investigative skills and explore contemporary issues in science through independent study and controlled assessment units. The course consists of mandatory units, all of which learners must complete:

In year 12 students are co-taught by three specialist teacher in covering the core principles of science, covering the content for 

• Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Biology – External examination (1 hour)
• Unit 2: Principles and Applications of Chemistry – External examination (1 hour)
• Unit 3: Principles and Applications of Physics – External examination (1 hour)

In year 13 students use the core information along side independent research and practical skills to apply knowledge in the portfolio units for:

• Unit 4: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques – Controlled assessment/portfolio
• Unit 6: Contemporary Issues in Science – Controlled assessment/portfolio

Teaching Methods- The course uses a variety of teaching strategies to support learning and engagement, including:

• Lectures and Teacher-Led Sessions: To introduce key scientific principles and theories.
• Practical Laboratory Work: Hands-on experiments to develop technical and investigative skills.
• Group Work and Collaborative Projects: Encouraging teamwork and peer learning.
• Independent Research: Students explore contemporary scientific issues and complete portfolio tasks.
• Use of Digital Resources: Online platforms, simulations, and multimedia to reinforce concepts.
• Exam Preparation Workshops: Focused sessions to develop exam techniques for external assessments

Impact

Assessment Methods:
Student achievement is measured through a combination of external examinations and internally assessed controlled assessments/portfolios:

• External Examinations: Units 1, 2, and 3 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) are assessed through one-hour written exams in Year 12.
• Controlled Assessments/Portfolios: Units 4 and 6 (Practical Scientific Procedures and Contemporary Issues in Science) are assessed through practical work, research projects, and written reports in Year 13.
• Independent Study: Students complete research tasks and investigations to demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills.

Impact on Learning and Progression:
Through these assessments, students will develop:

• Core Scientific Knowledge: Understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics principles applicable to higher education and employment.
• Practical Competence: Laboratory skills, health and safety awareness, and professional practice.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to plan investigations, collect and analyze data, and draw justified conclusions.
• Critical Thinking and Communication: Skills transferable to a wide range of careers and academic pathways.

Progression Opportunities:
This qualification complements A-levels and prepares students for higher education and careers in science-related fields.

Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term

What you'll study

This course prepares students for the world of work in the context of Business. You’ll learn all about the key Business topics of Finance, Marketing, HR and Operations. You will learn about the dynamic nature of Business and how it is affected by the external environment.

What you'll love

The course is an excellent mix of vocational skills and academic study. The coursework elements are related to working in a business context and the exam units contain all the theory that would prepare you for higher education. This course therefore suits all students, those looking to progress to the world of work and those who are looking to go to university.

Examinations:

Unit 1- The Business Environment (External exam Y12)

Unit 2- Working in a Business (External exam Y13 January)

Unit 3- Business Decisions (External exam Y13)

Coursework:

Unit 4- Customers and Communication  (Year 13)

Unit 5- Marketing.  (Year 12)

Why take it?

• A better understanding of the world. The vocational nature of the course provides a useful introduction to the world of business for students planning to enter professions such as banking, accountancy, management services and human resources management. Students may choose to progress to degrees, the world of work or apprenticeships in related subjects.

• It will develop skills that will be essential for many jobs such as problem solving and organisation
• Key jobs that are reliant on Business include: Every person will work in a business of sorts. If you work in the public sector or private sector, you’re working in a business.
• Opportunity to work in the School shop or be a business ambassador

Students are encouraged to keep up to date with foreign affairs, and to do their own wider reading in order to fully understand the Business concepts taught.

Business Specification

Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term

What you'll study

This course prepares students for a career in graphic design, advertising, marketing, and a host of other careers in the media sector. You will learn how to use the digital cameras to take expert photographs, how to use image manipulation packages such as Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer, and how to combine these skills to produce a range of media products.

What you'll study

The Creative Media BTEC is 100% coursework and the projects students complete include creating your own film posters, designing an advertising campaign, producing a portfolio of photographs based around youth culture, and designing extracts from a music magazine.

What will you learn?

• Planning and pre-production / Photography / Graphic
• Design / Typography / Page Layout / Post-production - visual editing

Software: Affinity Photo / Affinity Publisher

Assessment: Assignment based practical work for each unit.

Why take it?

The Media sector encompasses a huge range of exciting and different roles including web design, graphic design, advertising, public relations, journalists, editors, designers, illustrators, screenwriters and producers. By taking this course you are taking your first step towards an exciting new career path.

Click the link below to find the course specification

Media specification

What you'll study

Health and Social Care allows students to engage in a broad investigation of various aspects of the health and social care sector. Including:

• Human Lifespan and Development – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment
• Human Biology and Health – Human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning and the impact of common disorders
• Health and Social Care Practice – Core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual health status

The internally assessed units give students the opportunity to engage in applied knowledge and understanding tasks to develop their health and social care knowledge.

Assessment and progression -learners complete all units

• 1 Human Lifespan and Development - External examination 1hr
• 2 Human Biology and Health- External examination 1hr
• 3 Health and Social Care Practice - controlled assessment/portfolio

ONE OF…

• 4 Health, Policy and Wellbeing - controlled assessment/portfolio
• 5 Promoting Health Education - controlled assessment/portfolio

Units 1 and  3 are delivered and assessed in year 12

Unit 2 and 4 or 5 are completed in year 13

What you'll love

• Developing Professional values and skills expected of professionals
• Developing professional communication and listening skills
• Organisational and critical thinking skills
• Cultural and social intelligence when working with individuals with different needs
• Understanding methods of managing challenging situations
• Interpersonal skills required when working with others, including compassion and empathy
• Responsibilities of professionals to be adaptable and innovative in delivering care
• Academic skills such as research and presentation

Why take it?

The qualification is designed to be taken alongside A levels as part of a study programme. It is intended for students that wish to progress into higher education as a pathway to employment. There are rules about combination subjects that can be taken with the course. The following subjects would be suitable to combine with this qualification:

• Psychology
• Biology
• English

This qualification can lead to progression to the following degrees:

• BSC Nursing / midwifery
• BSC Social Work
• BSC Subjects Allied to Health

Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term

What you'll study

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport is equivalent in size to 1 A level. It is ideal for you if you are interested in covering the fundamentals of the sports sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a sport-related degree programme or to one of a wide range of other higher education courses

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport, which is equivalent in size to 2 A levels. The qualification provides you with a wide and detailed scope of the sector. It typically makes up two-thirds of a 16–19 study programme, and is normally taken alongside another level 3 qualification. It will enable you to focus the main part of your study on this sector, with a view to progressing to a degree subject related to sport or possibly to a complementary subject area. The additional qualification studied will allow you either to give breadth to your study by choosing a contrasting subject, or to give your studies more focus by choosing a complementary subject.

Everyone taking these qualifications will study three mandatory units, covering the following content areas: · anatomy and physiology · fitness training and programming for health, sport and well-being · professional development in the sports industry plus additional units depending on what course is chosen.

What you'll love

BTEC sport  embodies  a fundamentally learner-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible, unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. They focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education.

Why take it?

The sport industry contributes billions of pounds each year to the UK economy and is a continuously growing sector. The industry employs more than 400,000 people and offers many career openings in a range of areas, including management, fitness, leisure, recreation, outdoors, well-being, elite performance, coaching and teaching.

Sport Studies specification

Parents and guardians can now purchase a wide range of sports kit and school hoodies via O'Neill's by clicking the link below.