Vocational Studies (KS4 Only)

Introduction

Introductory Certificate In Vocational Studies

This is a level 1, non- examination skills-based course for key stage 4. It is designed to help learners develop the personal and social skills needed for progress to independent living and future employment. All units are internally assessed and externally verified.

The certificate can be studied as a one or two year programme offering the opportunity to investigate different vocational areas. This could include Business, Catering & Hospitality, Sport, Health & Social Care, Childcare, Animal Care, Hoticulture, Investigating Crime Scenes, The Arts and Public service for example. Different options will be available dependent on facilities and resources. Through studying a variety of vocational options pupils will widen their knowledge enabling them to make informed career choices for the future. The course contributes to the delivery of the Hope curriculum and to support the school in its delivery of fundamental British values.

Vocational Studies and Hope

The central ethos of this course is looking forward and taking the first steps to acquire the skills and attitudes needed to thrive and prosper in a future personal and working life. It embodies concepts such as sisu – showing determination and courage, ikigai – embracing personal ideas and interests and storge – supporting, caring and nurturing. Some units make direct links with the work of The School’s Hopeful Heroes, for example, with David Attenborough if creating habitats in the unit ‘Growing Plants’ or ‘Animal Care’ or Marcus Rashford in the Unit Keeping Healthy And Active’.

Vocational Studies and British Values

The course, very much, promotes the transferable skills of communicating and working with others which embodies British values such as respect, tolerance and democracy. In each unit pupils are given the opportunity to discuss issues and collaborate with peers to plan and perform team tasks.

Goal

Obtaining a Level 1 Qualification in Vocational Studies can lead to a range of level 2 and above vocational courses and apprenticeships or support academic studies post-16. The course gives a taster of what further study or work could be like in a range of sectors.

There is no examination for this course. Each unit is portfolio based. Pupils study and carry out a range of theoretical and practical tasks as part of a pre-learning process and then complete an a mostly practical assessment task based on the pre-learning. This is marked and graded as a level 1 pass, merit or distinction. Pupils are allowed to present their notes and tasks in a variety of ways such as written or scribed reports, oral reports, annotated photos, diagrams, posters, leaflets and by observational reports of practical activities. Pupils are encouraged to use technology but methods and presentations can be customised and flexible to meet the needs and interests of individual pupils.

See below pathways for topics that can be studied.

Example Schema

Pathways

In order to obtain a level 1 pass, merit or distinction for the qualification pupils will need to complete the pre-learning and assignment tasks for the following units. Two units are compulsory and three units are optional.

Compulsory Units

Being Organised (this could be linked to an area of personal interest)
Career Progression (this could be linked to an area of personal interest)

Optional Units – choose 3

Caring For And Feeding Animals (sector land studies)
Contribute To Running An Event (sector business)
Creating A Mood Board (sector art and design)
Growing Plants (sector horticulture)
Investigating Crime Scene Evidence (sector applied science)
Presenting A Business idea (sector business)
Preparing And Cooking Food (sector hospitality)
Providing Children’s Creative Activities (sector child care)
Supporting Children’s Learning Through Everyday Experiences (sector child care)
Exploring Local Attractions (sector hospitality)
Keeping Healthy And Active (sector sport)
Playing Sport (sector sport)
Nail Art (sector hair and beauty)
Demonstrate make-up and hair styling (sector hair and beauty)

Agency

Studying vocational studies can lead to a range of careers at various levels, for example:

Art and design – home decor, fashion, design products such as cards, wall-papers, graphic design
Animal care – small animal, domestic animals, farm animals, wild animals, zoo animals, exotic animals, animal sanctuaries, charities, and protection
Childcare – child minding, nurseries, hospitals, community care
Cooking, catering, hospitality – hospitals, homes, restaurants, cafes, pubs canteens, cruise ships, own business
Horticulture – growing plants, florists, garden centres, nurseries
Tourism – local and abroad, travel reps, tourist promotion, tours
Sport – training in gyms, personal trainers, coaching, health promotion, health support, team support
Hair and Beauty – own business, salons, mobile hairdressers and beauticians, theatre, tv and films