Welcome to the Vocational Department
The Vocational Department at Sacred Heart School serves to provide pupils with a more practical route to qualifications. All pupils are provided with the opportunity to do the equivalent of two GCSE's in a vocational subject.
Vocational courses are offered in a variety of subjects. These courses introduce work related learning to pupils and offer a more practical approach. In these courses, pupils will:
- Given knowledge, skills and understanding relevant to a broad or specific learning area.
- Equipped with some of the skills they will need in the work place or for further training and education.
- Given the opportunity to take charge of their own learning and development.
There are four types of vocational courses offered at Sacred Heart School:
- BTEC - The BTEC First Certificate is worth two GCSE's and it is a qualification which is 100% assignment based. There are no exams. Grades awarded are Pass (equivalent to CC pass at GCSE), Merit (equivalent to BB pass at GCSE) and Distinction (equivalent to AA/A*A* pass at GCSE).
- Applied GCSE - These qualifications are worth two GCSE's. One third of the final mark is exam based while the other two thirds are coursework based.
All of the above are worth 2 GCSE’s when applying to college. Progression to A-Levels (or other equivalents) is obviously possible in college. Both the uptake and results of Vocational Courses have been exceptionally good at Sacred Heart School.
The following courses are available:
- BTEC First Certificate in Health and Social Care
- BTEC First Certificate in Applied Science
- BTEC First Certificate in Construction
- BTEC First Certificate in Music
- BTEC First Certificate in Sport
- BTEC Short Course in Hairdressing (Level 1- this is taught in our very own hair salon, '4G Salon', on site)
- Applied Science GCSE
- Applied Art GCSE
Ms. Antoniou
Head of Vocational Studies
