BTEC Child development is a vocationally related qualification, where learners apply their knowledge and skills to work-related contexts. It is an ‘option’ subject which is offered to Sprowston Community Academy students at key stage 4. The curriculum covers areas that will impact students if they would like a career working with children. We study how children develop during the first 5 years and what factors can have an impact on how they develop. We then look into play opportunities and how professionals need to plan and deliver activities that support the development of individual children that will meet their needs. Our curriculum provides an insight into the sector that many of our students have aspirations to work in. They will be able to work in a number of different fields including child care, education, midwives, social workers or health visitors to name a few. These jobs are in high demand within the current climate.
The Key Stage 4 Child development curriculum is designed to build upon students’ own life experiences, and prior learning about healthy lifestyles gained in PD, PE and Science; it aims to build confidence and facilitate a smooth transition from key stage 3 to 4, but it is also a brand new subject which will hopefully engage and motivate students, as it looks at specific elements of child development
In Child development, formative assessment is used on a lesson to lesson basis. This includes strategies such as: low stakes quizzing, various questioning techniques, exam practice and practice tasks. Clear and direct feedback, covering common mistakes and misconceptions, is offered to all students via the use of individual verbal feedback and whole class feedback. ‘Time for reflection’ is built into learning time to enable students to act upon feedback and enable teachers to re-teach content where necessary.
Summative assessment takes place at topic, unit and course level and as such, takes place at regular intervals throughout KS4. For theory based lessons, this involves practice PSA questions. These are assessed by teachers and feedback is again provided to students, providing further formative opportunities with areas of strength and weakness identified alongside next steps / targets for improvement.
Assessment takes place in 3 different components. Students will have 2 x PSA (Pearson set assignments) which are controlled assessments that take place in the classroom and are marked by the teacher. The first one will take place in year 10 and the second at the start of year 11. Upon completion of an assignment, students receive an assignment grade with feedback identifying strengths and weaknesses; where necessary, the opportunity to resubmit is offered. Each of these PSA’S are worth 30% of the students final grade. Component 3 in an exam unit and is worth 40% of the final grade. This will take place in May of year 11.