Our curriculum is thoughtfully sequenced to ensure a coherent and progressive learning journey, we work closely with our industry partners in designing our learning sequences and we use proven effective methods of classroom practice via our MUTC STAR teaching and learning framework.
What will you learn?
KS4
Cambridge National Level 2 (equivalent to one GCSE) in Health and Social Care
The health and social care learning journey starts in year 10. Students arrive at MUTC with a basic knowledge of sector from their own experiences. We harness their existing knowledge by first teaching “Principles of care”. This provides the basic knowledge and common terminology used in the sector that underpins further topics. For example, student must have an in depth understanding of the principle of good communication with services users and professionals within the sector in order to then successfully understand later content areas such as ‘supporting individuals with life events’.
Students are introduced to practical learning in the first term where they are tasked with communication skills to allow individuals build confidence to carry out interviews, questionnaires and health campaigns. Throughout the qualification, the units contain various forms of practical assessments which will support with further develop their professional skills in further education and work life.
Students are at an advantage through this way of delivery by this stage as they complete majority of the examined unit and are ready to start revision sessions which will entail great deal of exam techniques and practice as well as students competing one coursework unit of assignments and finalising the qualification with a health promotion campaign which has practical elements
How you are assessed and how we help you improve your work
How do we make knowledge ‘stick’?
To ensure that the knowledge truly sticks, we use a combination of traditional learning environments and activities, as well as practical tasks which imitate problems and scenarios faced in the health sector.
In addition, we have well established links with our industry partner Barts NHS who work with us to deliver workshops and interactive talks to reinforce learning.
We assess the knowledge retained by our leaners through a variety assessment methods, including quizzes, essays, practical exams, role plays, simulation and reflective journals to monitor student progress. Also, we provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration with professionals in the field.
This structured approach ensures that students not only acquire essential factual and conceptual knowledge but also develop the practical and critical skills needed for successful careers in health and social care.
What will assessment look like?
Our assessment plan details the assessment dates for all courses. This plan is shared with students so they are aware of when they will be assessed. This promotes independence and helps our students to develop the organisational skills which are essential to the professional world or university.
Internal mock examinations for externally assessed unit are held to give both the learner and teacher and true reflection of learners’ progress. Internal assessments take place at the end of each unit. Making Mocks Matter is an ethos that the departments adopts; mock assessment are analysed by teachers to detect gaps in learning and develop strengths. Students are provided with the feedback to enable them to improve their grades.
Assessments are evidenced in a variety of methods; assignments, presentations; role platy and simulation activities. All assessments require students to recall the substantive knowledge they have acquired and importantly apply this to issues in the healthcare sector. We offer timely feedback for assessments so that students are able to reflect on what went well, and what they improve on in the future.
To prepare for assessment, students are not only taught the subject, but are prepped with skills to produce and present evidence to a high standard; skills that will be transferable to the world of work.
Provide opportunities for real-world learning through placements, guest speakers, and community projects.
Providing students with opportunities for industry sector exposure is a fundamental element of Health Care Education at Mulberry UTC
We have the privilege of having Barts NHS Trust as our main industry partner. Barts offer placement opportunities to our T-level health students, as well as running workshops and talks for the department as a whole.
Through the T Level qualification, there are a number of mandatory trainings in which our students have to fulfil before going onto placement. For example, Basic Life Support, Manual Handling and Fire Safety. Alongside this, students are given a great opportunity to complete and achieve a Level 2 Care Certificate which allows our students to work on a Band 2 from the moment they reach 18 years of age. This enables individuals to join Bank Partners to gain Healthcare Assistant shift work outside of lesson time. Industry placements for T’level students occur across the Bart NHS Trust in array of department such as:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic
- Oncology
- Dementia Care
- Renal
- Outpatients
- Fracture
We ensure all students are exposed to a wide range of industry specialist through visits, guest speakers and workshops. This provides our students access to current and contemporary issues that occur in the Health and Social Care sector and importantly, opportunities to learn more about career pathways and next steps. We visit universities for immersive taster days; these sessions not only showcase the courses on offer, but for our students, give a sense of aspiration for their future education. We ensure that all enrichment opportunities which are meaningful and add depth to the learning.
Examples include:
- Barts NHS and Horizons work with our learners to offer our students opportunities for apprenticeships and help them prepare for working within the health and social care sector.
- NHS Virtual Work Experience session are attended by the cohort providing exposure to careers from practitioners
- The Baker Dearing Trust Digital Health Programme introduces our students to industry specialists like Astra Zeneca and the London Institute of Healthcare Engineering
- The Wellcome Collection run workshop on Wellbeing and Careers in Health
- City University have run UCAS interview sessions specifically for year 13 students and a special invite to the “International Day of the Midwife” conference
- University of Greenwich and the University of Sunderland run Health and Social Care Taster Days.
- Magic Me, a charity that aims to bridge the gap between generations. Health students are invited to creative arts sessions with elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
How will we ensure that the needs of SEND learners and high achieving learners are met?
The range of courses and range of assessment methods available across the health care department means that SEND learners continue to be successful in their health and social care qualifications. Where specific adaptations are required our teachers understand what the needs are and how to meet them. This may include strategies such as more regular check-ins and clarification, careful positioning in the classroom, adapted resources or careful planning of work experience placements. We always use the resources made available from the SEND team, such as IEPs and carefully observe our students to see whether they may require additional support in exams.
Our industry partners:
Mulberry UTC is part of the Mulberry Schools Trust which is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Company No. 10035860).
Company’s registered office: Mulberry Schools Trust, Richard Street, Commercial Road, London E1 2JP.