Department : Vocational and Skills 

Vision for Department: 

At Pentrehafod School, our Vocational Department strives to empower every learner with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in life, learning, and work. We aim to provide a dynamic, inclusive, and future-focused curriculum that equips students with essential employability skills, practical experience, and personal growth opportunities. 

Through diverse qualifications, including Welsh Baccalaureate/Skills Challenge Certificate, Business Enterprise, Health and Social Care, Public Services, Life Skills, Travel and Tourism, Vocational Studies, and Finance, we nurture resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Our vision is to inspire learners to become confident, responsible citizens who are ready, respectful, resilient and safe that can contribute positively to their communities and succeed in an ever-changing global economy. 

Curriculum Areas within the Department: 

  • Welsh Baccalaureate 

  • Business Enterprise 

  • Health and Social Care and Childcare 

  • Public Services and Teamwork 

  • Life Skills  

  • Travel and Tourism 

  • Vocational Studies 

  • Finance 

Curriculum Information: 

Welsh Baccalaureate/Skills Challenge Certificate 

The Skills Challenge Certificate (SCC) is a standalone, graded qualification and is valued as a GCSE. It offers a different type of qualification that focusses on developing a range of essential employability skills. It gives learners the opportunity to study topics and issues of their choosing that are relevant to their future study and career plans. 

  • It consists of three components: 
    • Individual Project 
    • Enterprise and Employability Challenge 
    • Global Citizenship Challenge 

The combined outcomes of the three components will determine whether the SCC is awarded. 

The focus of the SCC is on the essential and employability skills young people need in their future lives. These skills are developed and assessed through an individual project and two challenges. It is designed to include learning and assessment that will enthuse, engage and motivate learners in the classroom, the workplace and the wider community. Learners are required to reflect on how the application of their skills may impact on individuals, employers, society and the environment. 

Business Enterprise 

Business Enterprise is suitable for students aged 14-16 years and encourages students to think commercially and creatively about current issues facing real businesses. Students are expected to consider the role of Operations, HR, Finance and Marketing as they react to changes in the external business environment and coordinate their actions, to recommend what different businesses would do to achieve their objectives. Students develop skills such as teamwork and communication, whilst gaining confidence to explore how different business situations affect business decisions on a local, national and global level. Students are required to use both qualitative and quantitative skills to build balanced arguments and evaluate key decisions in business, developing critical and reflective mindsets. Alongside this, students will experience how business works in the real world, through use of case studies, guest speakers and visits to local businesses and workplaces. 

Health and Social Care and Childcare 

The GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is suitable for learners aged 14-16 who are interested in learning about the development and care of individuals throughout the life cycle from conception to later adulthood. The qualification enables learners to develop and demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding within the context of health and social care, and childcare. 

The following issues are included in the specification: 
• human growth, development and well-being 
• promoting and maintaining health and well-being 
• health and social care, and childcare in the 21st century 
• promoting and supporting health and well-being to achieve positive outcomes. 

Public Services and Teamwork 

The BTEC Public Services and Teamwork qualification is suitable for students aged 14-16 years and will prepare them for employment in the public services sector, including the emergency services, e.g. fire service, paramedics, search and rescue, the police and the armed forces, e.g. the army, navy and air force. BTEC Public Services is also valuable for students interested in politics and law, health care and education. The public services are at the forefront of our daily lives. This course will help students to understand the role of the government in the public services, the impact of government policies and the way that laws are made. Students will develop leadership and team building skills through practical activities and apply skills to plan and manage an outdoor expedition. 

Life Skills – SWEET 

The BTEC Personal Growth and Wellbeing (SWEET) qualification is designed for learners who want to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage their personal development and emotional wellbeing effectively. This course focuses on building resilience, self-awareness, and positive relationships, while encouraging learners to set goals and make informed decisions about their future. Through practical activities and reflective tasks, learners explore strategies for maintaining mental health, managing stress, and improving communication skills. The qualification supports progression by equipping learners with essential life skills that are valuable for education, employment, and everyday life. 

Travel and Tourism 

The BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism is designed for learners aged 14–16 who are interested in exploring the dynamic travel and tourism sector. This qualification provides an opportunity to develop applied knowledge and practical skills through real-world vocational contexts. Learners will study the aims and roles of travel and tourism organisations, the features that make destinations appealing, and how organisations meet customer needs and preferences. The course also examines factors influencing global travel and tourism, the impacts of tourism on destinations, and strategies for achieving sustainable tourism. Through engaging assignments and an externally assessed component, learners gain insight into one of the fastest-growing industries and prepare for progression to further study or careers in travel, tourism, and hospitality 

 

Vocational Studies 

The Level 1 Introductory Award in Vocational Studies is designed for learners who want to explore a range of vocational sectors and develop essential skills for future learning and employment. This qualification provides a foundation for understanding different industries while building practical, transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Learners will engage in activities that introduce them to real-world vocational contexts, helping them gain confidence and experience in applying knowledge to practical situations. The course supports progression to higher-level vocational qualifications or employment pathways by fostering personal development and preparing learners for the demands of the workplace. 

 

Finance 

The TLM Finance qualification is designed for learners who want to develop practical financial skills and an understanding of money management in everyday life and work contexts. This course introduces key concepts such as budgeting, saving, and responsible spending, while exploring the impact of financial decisions on personal wellbeing and future opportunities. Learners will gain confidence in handling real-world financial scenarios, including managing income, planning for expenses, and understanding financial products and services. The qualification supports progression by equipping learners with essential numeracy and decision-making skills that are valuable for further study, employment, and independent living. 

A table listing various qualifications, their QAN numbers, board, and grading or pass/fail status, with a crest logo at the bottom left corner and a blue and orange banner labeled "Pentrefoed School" at the bottom.