GCSE English

This intensive 30-week GCSE English Language (8700) course follows the syllabus offered by AQA , with three main areas of focus:

• Exam Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing


• Exam Paper 2: Writer's viewpoints and perspectives


• Non-exam assessment: Spoken language

On the course you will:

• Read and analyse a wide variety of fiction text in order to consider how established writers use narrative and descriptive techniques to capture the interest of readers.


• Produce your own pieces of creative writing.


• Read and understand a range of non-fiction texts, identifying the writers' crafts and transferring these skills into your own writing for a range of audiences and purposes.


• Develop insights into how writers have particular viewpoints and perspectives on issues or themes that are important to the way we think and live our lives.


• Develop technical accuracy through correct use of grammar and accurate use of spelling and punctuation.


• Learn how to present and listen to information and respond to the questions and views of others.


• Plan and deliver a short talk using Spoken Standard English.

Please note that even though some courses are offered online, you must be able to travel to the Poole/Bournemouth area for the formal GCSE examinations in May/June.

You will learn through a variety of activities including tutor demonstration, presentation and guidance, individual and group work, discussion, internet research, films and recordings, reading of various types of text in a variety of media and written pieces and assignments. You will be supported to develop good study skills and where relevant, your learning will enable you to develop skills and knowledge required for work. There are regular assessments throughout the course designed to provide feedback on your progress, as well as final exams. This is an intense course and significant home study will be essential to successfully complete this course. Homework will be regularly set and you will be expected to complete this in order to retain your place on the course.

This course leads to a GCSE English Language qualification, and the cost of it is subsidised by public funding. You will be required to complete all of the necessary assessments or exams by the given deadlines. For further information on the syllabus for this course please go to www.aqa.org.uk. Learners will be awarded a grade from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest.

You need to attend an Admissions Session before you start this course: click on the View sessions button. GCSE courses start in September and no late enrolments are permitted. Please visit our website for further details or telephone our team on 01202 123444 who will advise you on how to apply. For term dates please refer to www.skillsandlearningace.com/about/term-dates.

This is a Level 2 examination course with regular assessments throughout the course. Examination dates will be given to you by your tutor at the start of the course and will fall outside the scheduled class times. These are national exams and the dates are fixed. Exams are only available in the Bournemouth and Poole area and you must ensure you can attend on the exam dates provided. Home study, research and preparation for assessment are also required to be completed in your own time during the course.

• Awarding body: AQA (syllabus 8700)


• Assessments: Spoken Endorsement - delivery of a 5 -10 minute formal presentation


• Examination(s): 2 x formal exams (1hr 45mins each)

The Spoken Endorsement will be noted on the Certificate as part of the qualification, but it will not form part of the final mark and grade.

You will create an Individual Learning Plan with your tutor identifying the areas you need to develop. This will be reviewed at regular intervals. PLEASE NOTE - this qualification must be completed within the deadline set. It may be possible to re-sit the examination within the academic year at an additional fee. If you fail to attend an exam, you will be charged a fee of £30 per exam.

This popular GCSE course is for adults over the age of 19 who have not already achieved a GCSE English grades A*- C (9-4). It is useful to enhance career prospects, access further or higher education, support children and family members with their own English skills or to improve skills for personal reasons. English GCSE involves discussions and speaking & listening tasks and so you will need a good level of English language skills. It is assessed via two formal exams and one spoken assessment. You will need to be prepared to participate in group activities and discussions and will be required to produce pieces of work as an individual and as a group. As this is an intensive course you will already need a good understanding and application of English grammar, punctuation and spelling, gained through previous study and ideally achievement of a Functional Skills qualification. Your tutor will support you to achieve the best possible grade you can. However, as this is an intensive 30 week course, higher grades are only achievable with considerable home study and commitment and regular attendance and cannot be achieved just by attending classes. Please note that applications can only be considered from residents living in Dorset and neighbouring counties of Devon, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

You can check the suitability of this course for a preferred career path or route to employment by looking at various job profiles on the National Careers Service website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk There is an expectation that if you enrol on this course, you are willing to commit fully to the period of time involved in this course, the associated home study and the assessed work required, and intend to sit the examination. Skills & Learning regularly monitors attendance and progress. You should consider your readiness to commit to study and we have a study support toolbox to help you with this: www.skillsandlearningace.com/toolbox/.

Knowledge and good use of English language is essential for this course. If English is not your first language you may need to provide proof of an English language qualification at Level 2 and will need to complete a Skills Check at an admission session.

The required books for this course can be borrowed from Skills & Learning but you may prefer to purchase your own books. You should bring A4 lined paper, a ring binder, pens, pencils and highlighters to each session. It will help your progress if you have regular and reliable access to the internet. If you do not have a PC at home, you can use the facilities at your local library.

Course costs: GCSE English is fully funded for those aged 19+ who have not yet achieved GCSE English at Grade C (grade 4) or above (subject to residency rules). Course fees may be payable if you have already had a funded place and failed to attend/complete the course/qualification. For information regarding any funding for this course please please refer to the Finance page on our website https://www.webenrol.com/SkillsAndLearningace/?page=finance.

You may like to consider improving your maths skills or study for another GCSE. How about using your improved English skills on a Creative Writing course, or to improve your IT? Other courses may be offered by Skills & Learning or other local providers. There are a variety of e-learning courses that can be started at any time of the year. Please visit our website for more details www.skillsandlearningace.com. Up to date English and maths Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills qualifications can help you progress at work or into further or higher education.

Skills & Learning work with local employers to offer Sector Based Work Academy Programmes and Apprenticeship training. Your tutor may also be able to discuss the possible next step options with you. You may like to talk with a Careers Adviser about other courses. General careers advice and guidance can be provided by the National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. For further information please contact us on 01202 123444.

English, maths and computing skills: all of our courses support the development of relevant English, maths and computing skills.

Refunds: please see details of our cancellation policy in our Terms and Conditions on our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/terms-and-conditions or in our brochure.

Attendance: before enrolling you should ensure that you can attend all classes offered as far as possible.

Places on courses: many of our courses are in high demand. If you have been offered a place but no longer require it, please advise us immediately as you may be preventing another learner from taking the place. Where learners do not attend the first session, without having given prior notice, Skills & Learning reserve the right to offer the place on the course to another learner; you will not be eligible for a refund it it is outside of the terms outlined in our cancellation policy.

Fully funded learners: if you have been offered a fully funded place on a course and no longer require it, you must advise us before the course starts so that your place can be offered to someone else. We reserve the right to withdraw future offers of fully funded places if you regularly do not start or complete funded courses.

Home study: you will be required to do significant study at home between sessions to assist with your learning and progress.

Qualification Levels: there is further information about qualification levels on our website.

Proof of identity: please bring photographic ID and your National Insurance number with you to your first session. You will also need to provide it for any external examinations you take.

Off-site activities: with some courses, there may be the opportunity for off-site enrichment activities at additional cost, for example: gallery, museum or exhibition visits. Where this is an integral part of the course, your tutor will discuss the arrangements with you during your induction.

Parking at centres: parking at centres may be limited; please be prepared to use on street parking or pay and display car parks. For information regarding each centre, please visit the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Refreshments: tea/coffee or vending machine(s) are available at some venues. Further information can be found in the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Unspent Criminal Convictions we require learners to disclose any unspent criminal convictions. Please refer to www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/disclosure-of-unspent-convictions.

If you have any accessibility or disability issues that we need to accommodate or if you think you may need any other support to complete your chosen course, please contact: 01202 123444 or e-mail enquiries@salbcp.com. All enquiries are treated in confidence.