AAQ (LEVEL 3)
Health & Social Care
Health & Social Care is the study of people, wellbeing and the relationships that shape how we live, grow and support one another.
Explore how physical, emotional and social factors affect health and wellbeing, while building the practical and interpersonal skills needed to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
Health and social care enables you to make a difference to other people’s lives.
Why Choose Health & Social Care at St Paul’s?
Our Health & Social Care department offers an engaging and compassionate environment where students are inspired to learn and grow.
Learn through experience: Apply theory to practice through realistic case studies and scenarios reflecting current care settings.
Develop key skills: Build communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities essential for health and social care professions.
Understand professional practice: Explore how values, ethics and legislation shape the delivery of effective care.
Join a caring community: Learn alongside others who value empathy, respect and personal achievement.
Prepare for your future: Gain a strong foundation for further study or a career in healthcare, social work, psychology or education.
Where Health & Social Care Can Take You
After completing Health & Social Care at St Paul’s, students progress to university, apprenticeships or work in healthcare, education and community services, where their skills and understanding help them support others effectively.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
What You’ll Study
You’ll develop a broad understanding of how health and care systems support individuals and communities, combining theory with applied learning.
Core areas include:
Human Lifespan Development:
- Explore human growth and development from infancy to later adulthood, focusing on physical, intellectual, emotional and social change.
- Understand holistic wellbeing and how biological and social factors influence health and quality of life.
- Examine health inequalities and how professionals promote, prevent and deliver effective care across diverse settings.
Principles of Health and Social Care Practice:
- Learn the values and ethics that underpin quality care, including respect, compassion and professional standards.
- Apply theory to practice by exploring how care is personalised to meet individual needs.
- Understand policy and governance and how legislation shapes the delivery of health and social care.
Human Biology and Health:
- Discover how the body functions, including the structure of cells, tissues and major organ systems.
- Study key physiological processes such as respiration, energy use and homeostasis.
- Develop applied scientific knowledge of the cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems.
Full details of the course can be found in the exam board’s official Pearson specification.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
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Health & Social Care Exam Results
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PASS RATE
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achieved
A* to C
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achieved
A* to B
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achieved
A* to A
Entry Requirements
This course does not have additional entry requirements beyond our standard entry requirements.
These requirements are in place to help set you up for success and make sure you have the right foundation to enjoy the challenge of Sixth Form study.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
Hear From Our Students
It is a really rewarding subject with a good mix of exam units and coursework.
The lessons involve discussion and debating and the teachers engage you in your learning.
I know the value of communication and kindness when dealing with others.
Mrs A Teagle
SUBJECT LEADER FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
Thank you for your interest in Health & Social Care at St Paul’s. Our dedicated team of experienced and supportive teachers is committed to helping you develop the knowledge, confidence and empathy needed for a successful career in this rewarding field.
If you have any questions about the course or the pathways it can lead to, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Send me a message
We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to talk about subject choices, entry requirements, or your future career ideas.
Are you ready to make a difference, develop valuable skills, and understand the people and communities around you?
Begin your Health and Social Care journey at St Paul’s.
Whatever course you choose, you’ll be joining a community where every student is known and loved. Our mission is not just to help you succeed academically, but to help you grow as a person, supported and celebrated every step of the way.
Health & Social CareCourse Content
This course gives you a good understanding of the variety of careers in the health and social care sector, an appreciation of relevant policy and legislation and the skills to be successful and make a difference.
Year 1
| UNIT 1Human Lifespan Development | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FORMAT |
Examination |
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LENGTH |
1 Hour 30 Minutes |
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- Physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development across the human lifespan. The concept of holistic development.
- The interaction of biological and social factors in health and wellbeing.
- The impact of health inequalities.
- How health-care professionals provide effective care. Promotion of good health, prevention, and treatment. Roles and responsibilities of health-care professionals.
| UNIT 3Principles of Health and Social Care Practice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Assessment |
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- The principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals.
- Core values expected of NHS and health and social care professionals which underpin professional standards, skills, and attributes. How these should be applied in practice to meet the needs of individuals.
- Challenges and approaches when personalising care.
- How legislation, governance and regulation affect the provision of care and support to meet individuals’ needs.
- Societal factors affecting the health outcomes of individuals and the strategies used in health and social care to overcome these.
Year 2
| UNIT 2Human Biology and Health | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Examination |
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LENGTH |
1 Hour 30 Minutes |
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- The organisation, structure and normal physiological functioning of the human body. Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. Respiration and energy metabolism. Homeostatic mechanisms.
- An understanding of the cardiovascular system, the respiration system and the endocrine system.
| UNIT 5Promoting Health Education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FORMAT |
Assessment |
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- Understand the purpose and role of health education. The organisations involved in health education and the legislation and regulations that impact. Understand how the health of the nation is monitored.
- Explore key issues and priorities for health and the factors that affect health and wellbeing.
- Examine approaches to health education campaigns (current and ongoing health campaigns) and their impact on health and wellbeing. Investigate models and approaches used in health education.
- Planning a health education event.
