| Examining Board | Specification Title | Specification Code |
| Pearson | BTEC L3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care | 601/7197/2 |
Are you interested in learning about the health and social care sector? Our Health and Social Care course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of this important field.
Health and social care is the treatment of ill health and medical conditions in hospitals, health centres and in the community. Social care is the care and support of vulnerable people, usually in the community.
You will need 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English and maths to take this course.
This course is suitable for Level 3 students who are interested in learning about the health and social care sector. It may benefit students who prefer a mixture of exam and coursework elements.
You will be assessed through a combination of external and internal assessments. You will have more than one opportunity to improve your final grade throughout the course.
For more information, please contact Mr Martyn Aldridge.
| Examining Board | Specification Title | Specification Code |
| WJEC | BTEC L3 Applied diploma in Criminology | 601/6248/X |
At West Somerset College, we are excited to offer our students the opportunity to study the Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the study of crime and the criminal justice system.
Criminology is the study of crime and its causes, as well as the ways in which society responds to crime. It is an interdisciplinary social science subject that draws on sociology, psychology, biology, and law. On this course, students will explore various explanations for crime and social reactions to crime, and learn how to manage, control, and prevent crime.
This is an exciting social science course that combines well with a wide range of subjects. As crime is constantly evolving, criminology is a dynamic and challenging subject with many new research areas appearing regularly. By studying criminology, students can gain a deeper understanding of why people commit crimes and how to improve systems in education, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.
Throughout the course, students will focus on four key areas of study:
Students will be assessed through a combination of internal and external assessments. Units 1 and 3 are internally assessed, while Units 2 and 4 are externally assessed through synoptic examinations.
To join this course, students must have obtained 5 GCSE passes at grades 9-4, including a 4 in English and Maths. In special circumstances, the department may consider students who do not meet these requirements.
The study of criminology can support access to a wide range of Higher Education criminology and related degree courses. An understanding of criminology is relevant to many jobs within the criminal justice sector, including Probation Officers, Prison Officers, Police Officers, Crime Scene investigators, Forensic Science, Social Workers, and Youth Workers.
This course suits students who are self-disciplined, open to new ideas, able to express ideas verbally, and able to communicate their understanding through written assessment and extended answers. Students will also need to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of different theories and research methods, work independently or as a group, and be organised in the way they structure their class notes.
For more information on this course or to discuss your eligibility, please contact Mr Martyn Aldridge at
| Examining Board | Specification Titles | Specification Code |
| OCR | Extended Certificate in Sport & Physical Activity (1 A Level) Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity- Sports Coaching Pathway (2 A Levels)
| QN: 601/7094/3
QN:601/7096/7 |
The study of sport and physical activity considers the barriers to and the effects and benefits of sport and physical activity across all age ranges and social groups, including people with disabilities and BAME, so they can tailor their approach depending on the person, people or situation they’re working with to ensure inclusivity.
Students who study sport and physical activity also learn how to work in a safe and effective way, protecting themselves and those they’re working with from injury or harm.
The qualifications aim to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills of the principles of Sport and Physical Activity.
You will gain an insight into the sector as you investigate opportunities for delivering sport and physical activity to a wide range of participants, whether it is to mobilise sedentary people to improve their health and wellbeing or to support regular participants to improve their performance and fitness, all done in a safe and professional environment.
In doing so, you will also gain core skills required for employment or further study in the sector such as communication, analysis, organisation and adaptation.
Anyone with an interest in sport both as a participant and also someone who wants to develop their knowledge of different individual aspects of sport and how they can inter-relate to improve the performance of an individual and team.
It will benefit you if you play sport outside of college for a club and also enjoy doing sport in the outdoors and have the confidence to work with and lead groups of people.
5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English and Maths and Biology.
Whilst the prior study of GCSE/Level 2 Sport is beneficial, it is not essential.
For those students wishing to study the diploma, GCSE/Cambridge National in Sport qualifications will be required grade 5/ L2 Merit or above.
Equivalent to 1 A Level.
5 units over 2 years.
2 exams taken that can be resat twice, 3 coursework-based units.
Equivalent to 2 A Levels.
11 units over 2 years.
3 exams that can be resat twice, 8 coursework-based units.
The Extended Certificate in Sport & Physical Activity course is assessed by sitting two externally assessed exams in units 1 and 3 and on producing written coursework and demonstrating your practical ability in different roles such as a coach, participant and official.
The Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity course is assessed by sitting three externally assessed exams in units 1, 3 and 4, on producing written coursework and demonstrating your practical ability in different roles such as a coach, participant and official.
As the course is multi-disciplinary it means that this course is an excellent foundation for many higher-level courses both academic and vocational.
Students who have taken Sport & P.A have gone on to study a diverse range of courses which have included Football Coaching/Studies, Sports Development, Sport Science, PE Teaching, Outdoor Education, Sports Therapy/Rehabilitation, Sports Technology, Sports Nutrition and Performance Analysis.
These qualifications are not just about being able to play sport or deal with elite athletes; employers need people who are able to develop sports skills for teams and individuals, work with clients and participants to improve their fitness and change their lifestyles and monitor progress and improvement over time, adapting practices and approaches to suit the needs of individuals.
Practical demonstration as a performer, coach and official in sport and outdoor activities are an essential part of the course and you will have the opportunity to take part in different activities and have the opportunity to obtain different sporting qualifications along the way.
These include first aid and safeguarding qualifications in sport and the Mountain Biking Level 1 skills competence course.
These will incur additional costs for which students are responsible for.
For More information, please contact our Sports Lead, Mr David Bourne.