Course Companions for L3 AAQ BTEC National: Health and Social Care

What do teachers say about this resource? (12817)

It is a really detailed reference for students covering the whole of Unit 1. The activities are useful too. I like the detail within each section and the case studies.

A course companion that combines activities, exam practice, knowledge recall and application through case studies is highly useful because it supports different stages of learning and assessment preparation. The knowledge recall sections allow students to consolidate and test their understanding of key concepts, ensuring they retain the core information from the specification. Activities encourage active engagement with the material, making learning more interactive and helping students to apply theory in manageable steps. Exam practice questions provide opportunities to rehearse the skills and styles of response required in assessments, building exam technique and confidence. Case studies add further value by allowing learners to apply their knowledge to realistic health and social care scenarios, mirroring the applied nature of BTEC qualifications and developing analytical and evaluative skills. Overall, this structure makes the resource versatile, supporting revision, independent study and exam readiness.

The layout is good and easy to follow, with information clearly structured and presented in a logical order that supports understanding. The combination of knowledge sections, activities, exam practice and case studies is well organised, making it straightforward for learners to move from recall to application. This clarity helps reduce cognitive load and makes the resource accessible for independent study as well as classroom use.

The resource is easy to navigate and covers the content of the specification in enough depth to support teachers and students. Easy-to-read class notes support the Pearson textbook and class notes. I really liked how it followed the specification order with the same content criteria. It mapped very well. The key features, coloured boxes [available in PDF upgrade], add extra activities to engage the learner and support learning. This is also supported by the end-of-section revision questions with answers, which is welcoming. It enhances learning because the language used is appropriate for the age of the reader. It also complements the specification well. This will be a useful companion to the student in their revision toolkit. Clear layout and good use of diagrams to aid learning. It matches the specification well, and I have cross-referenced the content with the resource, and there appear to be no omissions. It goes into enough detail to aid learning.

A good resource that is concise and matches the spec perfectly. The exam style questions are excellent and good for testing knowledge and understanding. The layout and presentation is good, well-organised and easy for learners to access. The key terms boxes are useful.

On the whole, I thought this was a valuable teaching, learning, and assessment resource to support both teachers and students with the new KS5 BTEC Nationals (AAQ): Health and Social Care qualification. It will be particularly beneficial for supporting classroom delivery through engaging starter and plenary tasks, as well as for promoting independent revision and homework activities. The resource is versatile and well-aligned to the needs of the new specification.

I particularly loved the key features included throughout the resource, such as the clear highlighting of key terminology, inspirational content, opportunities for stretch and challenge, case studies, and tasks that encourage learners to apply their subject knowledge and carry out research. These elements support a wide range of learning styles and help develop independent learners who will be well-prepared for university.

This resource significantly enhances learning by promoting active engagement, independent thinking, and the application of knowledge to real-world scenarios. It supports a deeper understanding of the qualification through a variety of tasks, including research activities, case studies, and stretch and challenge opportunities. It builds learners' confidence and critical thinking skills while reinforcing key concepts and terminology, preparing students for assessment and progression to higher education and careers in health and social care.

The presentation and layout are clear, well-structured, and easy to follow. It guides learners through each of the life stages and links them to the PIES (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social development), while covering the key factors that impact human growth and development. Each section includes questions that help reinforce understanding. It is engaging and accessible for classroom use and a valuable tool for building subject knowledge and exam readiness.

The resource closely aligns with the specification and effectively covers all essential areas, including life stages, PIES, and factors impacting development. It also provides valuable guidance on health promotion and the roles of health and social care professionals, helping students understand key concepts and make informed career decisions.

Its well-structured content, variety of tasks, and alignment with the specification make it a versatile tool for teaching and revision. It supports assessment preparation and offers insights into career pathways. Its ability to cater to diverse learning needs makes it an excellent addition to my teaching toolkit.

Overall, I find this to be a strong and comprehensive resource. It supports a variety of teaching methods and learning styles. The inclusion of case studies, career pathway information, and practical activities enhances its value, helping students apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.

I like the resource. It's clear and logical and supports learning. [I like the] layout and levels of activities to develop the learning. Logical and easy to understand. Supports the specification well. It's interesting and informative. 

What do teachers say about this resource? (12975)

I really like the resource. The course companion layout is clear, well organised, and easy for learners to access, with good regular use of subheadings, tables, and key terms and activities boxes. I liked how clear and concise the information was. The key terms boxes are useful, especially with different colours to draw attention to them.

The exam style questions are excellent for testing knowledge and understanding. Even though this unit is not an exam and is internally assessed, it’s still really good to have the exam style questions included with answers – these could be used as starters or plenaries.

Good that the resource is not devoid of pictures or bombarded with images to “fill space.” This is a good resource that complements the textbook and provides additional “research and applied” activities as well as end of topic questions, which is better than the textbook.

The course companion is student-friendly, and the language is age and ability appropriate for L3. This resource is good for students to use for independent study when they don’t have access to a textbook.

The resource matches the different learning aims and content of the spec. It ensures all aspects of this unit’s content are incorporated so that students have a thorough bank of information.

What do teachers say about this resource? (12966)

A really useful resource for both teachers and students in supporting their knowledge and understanding of Unit 5: Promoting Health and Wellbeing for the new AAQ qualification. It aligns well with the specification and will be helpful for teachers when planning sessions and delivering content. The resource is well-suited in terms of content and terminology. It reflects the level of depth and academic language expected, making it appropriate and challenging for learners. I appreciated the inclusion of assessment tasks at the end of each learning aim. These help prepare learners for formal assessment and give teachers a clear indication of understanding, enabling them to identify those needing support and plan timely interventions. This resource enhances learning by supporting a scaffolded approach, allowing learners to build understanding step by step. It begins by identifying what health education is and its purpose, laying a strong foundation. It then introduces more complex topics such as analysing data, identifying trends, exploring localised health concerns, and examining national or international initiatives. This progression helps learners connect theory to real-world application. The resource also shows how health education links to and impacts health and social care services, emphasising planning and interventions. Its educational value lies in structured knowledge development, relevant terminology, and activities that encourage critical thinking and applied understanding—essential for success in the AAQ qualification.

A good resource that is concise and matches the spec perfectly. The practice questions are very valuable. The layout and presentation is good, well-organised and easy for learners to access.
The key terms boxes are useful. Activities based on case studies are more useful and good to see the information put into a context

What do teachers say about this resource? (12830)

A fantastic resource for both teachers and learners. It provides excellent support for planning, teaching, revision, and assessment. The content is well-structured, clearly aligned to the unit's learning aims, and mirrors the structure of the specification, making it easy to integrate into lesson delivery and track progress.

For teachers, it offers a strong foundation for delivering engaging and informative sessions and can be easily adapted [Word version] to support differentiated instruction. For learners, the accessible layout, clear explanations, and targeted activities help consolidate understanding and support independent study.

The presentation and layout are well-suited for Level 3 students. It's clear, well-organised, and engaging. I particularly liked the inclusion of images, which support visual learners and contribute to dual coding.

Each learning aim section includes two sets of assessment questions—one for knowledge retention and one for application. This dual approach is highly effective in deepening understanding, developing exam skills, and reflecting the emphasis within the specification on both understanding and applying theoretical principles.

The inclusion of answers enables learners to check their performance independently, promoting self-evaluation and helping them monitor progress and identify areas for improvement.

The resource enhances learning by breaking down complex content into manageable sections, reinforcing key concepts, developing subject-specific vocabulary, and supporting critical thinking. It supports a range of learning styles and encourages independent learning, both essential for success in vocational qualifications.

Overall, this is a well-developed, specification-focused, and educationally valuable resource. It provides a comprehensive, well-structured approach to supporting both teaching and learning in the BTEC Health and Social Care qualification.

This is a very user-friendly resource that checks understanding of Unit 3 content area but also gives guidance on how to structure the assignments as this is an internal unit set by Pearson. The content matches the specification's content and follows the format of the colour-coded boxes as in Unit 2, which I also reviewed. This consistency leads to ease of use for both students and teachers. The content is easy to understand and matches the literacy levels, comprehension and readability of Pearson textbooks in health and social care in the past. I like the links to government websites - all of which are active and relevant to put the content into real-life practice. Having real-life case studies brings the subject to life and I like how the applied activity links to the case studies to give the students a focus on how to apply their knowledge. The newer content areas such as virtual wards and virtual hospitals make this resource relevant and up to date. I also think having examples such as the role of the CQC in relation to the Covid epidemic makes it relevant to the learners. This area of legislation and organization of the health and social care service in the UK can be quite challenging for students but this is written in a straightforward way and supplemented by relevant links. Key terminology is introduced using bold text and highlighted sections, supporting vocabulary development and boosting exam success for students. Additionally, the structured layout with well-defined sections ensures a logical flow of information, enhancing comprehension and retention. This organization also benefits staff by making the resource easier to navigate and use for instruction, improving overall teaching efficiency. The layout is clear and precise and flows easily. The diagrams and tables are clear and relevant. I have confidence that this resource would be suitable to use with students and inexperienced teachers to gain knowledge.

What do teachers say about this resource? (12741)

Very detailed content provided with ideas for different activities to allow for the application of knowledge. A lot of effort has gone into this resource along with thought on how the knowledge can be applied to support students learning. I particularly liked the keywords and knowledge sections, separate from the main body of text to enable students to focus on the key content. I also liked the exam link questions with the mark schemes, which allowed students to self-assess and support those teachers who were not specialists in the subject area. I really like tasks that allow students to put the knowledge into practice, practically, for example with the negative feedback mechanism and the blocked coronary arteries, this allows for all types of learners to access the content. The resource enables learning to access the key content that is required for this specific unit, it also provides an opportunity for the application of the content, as well as testing knowledge through exam link questions. I like the layout of the resource, it is very clear, especially as it has been colour-coded and is kept consistent throughout. All the content included in the resource matches with the specification (AAQ Health and Social Care). The resource allows for an in-depth knowledge of the key content which enables students to confidently answer the exam link questions. I think this is an excellent resource and has clearly had a lot of time and effort put into it. 

I thought it was excellent. As a teacher with limited Biology background knowledge, I feel confident that this would aid my teaching significantly. I believe it to be detailed enough to allow all core content to be delivered, a great starting point to then build interactive and engaging lessons around. I particularly liked the layout... The keywords and their definitions are clear and succinct. The layout of the page makes it easy to follow without appearing to 'Fisher Price!' Too many resources are far too basic, as though they don't want to scare off the non-scientists, but this is detailed and well-designed.

I feel that this resource will significantly help those students that are absent from lessons. It also serves as a handy 'cover and write' activity for revision purposes. The additional activities provide lots of opportunities for consolidation but also stretch and challenge HSP students. I think the layout is clear and well-structured. The page does not feel too cluttered, not too sparse. I think the different colours [PDF&Word] used help to engage the reader and organise learning also. The additional activities are also well placed on the page to pique interest. I believe this matches the specification very well. I particularly like the use of specification indicators throughout (A1 for instance). I would feel comfortable as a Head of Faculty giving this to a non-specialist to teach this Unit.

The inclusion of key terminology is highly beneficial. The definitions are written clearly and simply, making them accessible to students who may be entering the subject at a Grade 4 foundation level in science. The applied activity boxes encourage independent, pair, and group work. It is also commendable that creative and practical science elements are incorporated, which can be easily carried out in a classroom setting. These activities help reinforce and consolidate learning effectively. The research boxes provide opportunities for students to broaden and deepen their understanding. These tasks challenge all learners, as they differentiate by outcome. Additionally, they serve as useful homework assignments. The "Did You Know?" boxes introduce interesting discussion points and could be used as lesson starters or hooks to engage students in the topic. The inclusion of structured questions with answers supports both teachers and students by reinforcing learning and building confidence in their knowledge and abilities.

Overall, this is a high-quality resource that is well-written, clearly structured, and effectively illustrated. It will be a valuable tool in delivering the new AAQs, providing essential support for both teachers and students. The exam tip on remembering catabolic and anabolic reactions is particularly useful. The applied activity simulating negative feedback is an excellent way to reinforce learning through a kinaesthetic demonstration. The case study on page 23 regarding diabetes serves as a useful discussion point and allows students to connect real-life experiences with the topic. C1.1–C1.8: This section is highly engaging, with well-designed diagrams and a user-friendly format. The inclusion of links to important resources, such as the defibrillator finder, is particularly valuable. New terminology is introduced effectively through the use of bold text and highlighted sections, aiding vocabulary development and improving exam performance. Additionally, the resource is structured into clear sections, allowing for a logical progression of information that enhances comprehension and retention. The document is very clear, logical, and concise. The sectioning is well-structured, and the use of pictures, diagrams, and bolded key terms is beneficial.

Lovely resource that sets out the content well. The content appears accurate and is readable. I like the use of pictures and tasks. A one-stop shop of information. Love the balance of tasks.

What do teachers say about this resource? (12997)

It has a nice, clear layout with good activity variations and additional "Did You Know" fact boxes. I like the variation of activities. I also like the keyword banks so students understand the definitions, and it highlights which words could be useful to include when writing their assignments.