Health and Social Care (AAQ)
Studying the Cambridge Advanced National in Health and Social Care at Townsend provides a strong foundation for a variety of health and social care careers by offering both academic knowledge and practical skills. It is a vocational qualification that prepares students for progression to undergraduate degrees, apprenticeships, and direct employment in the sector. The curriculum is designed with input from employers and universities, ensuring its relevance to current industry demands.
Course Details
Cambridge Advanced National in Health and Social Care Extended Certificate Qualification (360 GLH)
Specification – https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-advanced-nationals/health-and-social-care-level-3-h025-h125/#extended-certificate
Course Description
This qualification develops knowledge, understanding and skills to help prepare students aged 16-19 for progression to undergraduate study in health and social care. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on experience, students develop the necessary knowledge and skills that can support progression to higher education health and/or social care study.
The qualification includes both examined units covering key knowledge and understanding, and non-examined assessment (NEA) units where students demonstrate their learning by completing applied or practical assignments.
Programme of Study
Students must complete six units:
- Two mandatory examined units (F090 and F091: Anatomy and physiology for health and social care)
- Two mandatory NEA units (F092 and F093)
- Two optional NEA units chosen from: F094 (Supporting people with long-term physiological conditions), F095 (Investigating public health), F096 (Supporting people in relation to sexual health, pregnancy and postnatal health), or F097 (Supporting healthy nutrition and lifestyles)
Assessment
Examinations
- Unit F090: 1 hour 30 minutes written exam, 60 marks total. The exam includes structured questions with short answers, controlled response questions (including MCQs), and extended constructed responses. All questions are compulsory and assess Performance Objectives 1, 2, and 3 (knowledge and understanding, application, and analysis/evaluation).
- Unit F091: 1 hour 30 minutes written exam, 60 marks total (Section A: 10 marks with multiple choice questions; Section B: 50 marks with structured questions). Assesses Performance Objectives 1, 2, and 3.
NEA Units
NEA units are assessed through set assignments created by Cambridge OCR. Each unit has 24 assessment criteria total (12 pass, 7 merit, 5 distinction). Students need to achieve:
- 10 criteria for a unit pass
- 15 criteria for a unit merit
- 20 criteria for a unit distinction
The qualification uses a compensatory approach, meaning the unit grade is based on the total number of achieved criteria from any combination of pass, merit or distinction criteria.
Where can the qualification take you
Students will develop transferable skills, including professional values, organisational and critical thinking skills, cultural and social intelligence, interpersonal skills, and academic skills such as research. These skills are key to health and social care-related degrees and prepare students to become well-rounded individuals for the demands of Higher Education.
This qualification can lead to progression to degrees such as:
- BSc Nursing
- BSc Social Work
- BSc Subjects Allied to Health
For more information, contact Mrs K. Brooks, Miss L. Gibbons or Mr M. Tominey, Townsend Church of England School.
