Health & Social Care
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care, is for learners who want to acquire technical knowledge and skills through vocational contexts as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification broadens the learners experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them in the health and social care sector.
The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:
- Development of key skills that prove your aptitude in health and social care such as interpreting data to assess an individual’s health
- Process that underpins effective ways of working in health and social care, such as designing a plan to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing
- Attitudes that are considered most important in health and social care, including the care values that are vitally important in the sector, and the opportunity to practise applying them
- Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as human growth and development, health and social care services, and factors affecting people’s health and wellbeing.
Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 consider progression to: Level 3 BTEC National in Health and Social Care which can be studied in The East Northants College, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in aspects of health or social care.
Exam board hyperlink:
Level 2
Health and Social Care | BTEC Tech Awards
Level 3
BTEC Nationals | Health and Social Care (2016)
Termly Curriculum Programmes
If music is more your thing then why not become part of the Orchestra for annual school musicals. A fantastic opportunity for any instrumentalist to become involved in something that brings the whole school together and work alongside staff, professional musicians and ex students who return year after year to support this huge event. A musical would not be a musical without music and we are immensely proud of our student orchestra always stepping up to the plate to deliver a professional sounding show. 
Evolve is an extra-curricular dance club composed of advanced, technically trained dancers with backgrounds in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary. The group aims to promote the artistry and creative integrity of choreography and dance and also bridge the Rushden community with outside performing artists. Evolve is dedicated to artistic development by means of training, competitive performance and an intimate group environment. 
As well as the show orchestra for instrumentalists, Rushden Academy also run a cross year Vocal Group, allowing students from year 7 to year 13 to join together in voice! The Vocal group is a student driven group with members taking the lead on song choices, from musical theatre pieces to pop, nothing is off the cards for us. We have been able to support school events such as providing interval Carol singing at our school pantomime and singing for and with the local community at the SERVE Christmas dinner. Students involved get to build their confidence and vocal skill in a supportive and fun environment.
At Rushden Academy we have a wide variety of visiting tutors who work with our students delivering peripatetic music lessons. All our tutors are passionate and engaging in their teaching of their instrument and pass this on to their students. Over the years we have seen great outcomes from students who have undertaken lessons, many of these students have performed in our showcases and celebrations within school and a number have completed external Trinity graded exams in their instrument, all passing to a high standard. We are currently able to offer a vast array of instruments to study at Rushden Academy, from Piano and Singing, to Guitars, Strings and DJing. We also have numerous contacts to expand our offerings further should there be the demand. 
