Depending on your prior English and Maths attainment, you may need to improve your grade as part of your course. If you achieved a grade 3 (D), you will attend compulsory GCSE or Functional Skills sessions. This is a requirement for all our vocational courses at Confetti.
We have excellent pass rates in both English and Maths and surpass the national benchmark. Our aim is to ensure you achieve higher grade passes in both subject areas to aid you in progression to higher education and employment.
Duration:
1 year
Entry requirements:
- If you achieved a Grade 3 (D) at GCSE or have passed Level 2 Functional Skills, you will be required to study GCSE English Language, where you will be supported to achieve a grade 4 or above.
- If you achieved below a Grade 3 (D) at GCSE or have not yet achieved a Functional Skills pass, you will be required to study Functional Skills English at either Level 1 or Level 2. This will be dependent on your prior achievement. Functional Skills will develop your skills and provide a stepping stone towards GCSE. Once you have achieved a pass at Level 2 Functional Skills you will progress on to the GCSE course.
At Confetti we follow the AQA syllabus for both GCSE and Functional Skills English. This enables transition and progression between the levels. Sessions are tailored so that they are relevant to the vocational course making clear links between the subjects. Developing core skills are vital in supporting your wider studies and assignments.
There are 2 core papers for GCSE English which both have a reading and writing element. These are externally examined at the end of the academic year. In addition, you will also undertake a compulsory Spoken Language element.
Exam Outline
Paper 1: Explore Creative Reading and Writing
1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE
20th and 21st century literary texts
Section A: 4 reading questions.
Section B: Descriptive or narrative writing.
Paper 2: Explore Writers’ Viewpoints
1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE
19th, 20th and 21st century non-literary texts
Section A: 4 reading questions.
Section B: Write own viewpoint in the form of non-fiction.
Spoken Language:
This takes the form of 1 short presentation of about 6-7minutes followed by question and answer sessions. This is assessed internally and is marked for a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Assessment objectives:
Reading
AO1: Identify and interpret implicit information and ideas. Select evidence from different texts.
AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects. Use subject terminology to support views.
AO3: Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives across two or more texts. AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
Writing
AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.
AO6: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
There are 3 core units to study in Functional Skills; Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The reading and writing are assessed externally. You are given a number of opportunities to sit the exams throughout terms 2 and 3. You need to pass all three elements in order to achieve a Level 1 in Functional Skills. Once you have achieved a level 1, you will then be provided with an opportunity to progress to level 2.
Exam Outline
Paper 1: Reading
45 minutes
33.3% of Functional Skills
Reading two texts
Section A: Multiple Choice
Section B: Short written response
Paper 2: Writing
45 minutes
33.3% of Functional Skills
Two writing tasks Inc: Letters, emails, leaflets and handouts.
Assessment objectives:
Reading
R1.1: Identify the main points and ideas and how they are presented in a variety of texts.
R1.2: Read and understand texts in detail.
R1.3: Use information from a text.
R1.4: Identify a suitable response to a text.
Writing
W1.1: Write clearly including an appropriate level of detail.
W1.2: Present information in a logical sequence.
W1.3: Use language, format and structure suitable for purpose and audience.
W1.4: Use correct grammar, including correct use of tense.
W1.5: Generally, accurate spelling, punctuation, and meaning is clear.
There are 3 core units to study in Functional Skills; Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The reading and writing are assessed externally.You are given a number of opportunities to sit the exams throughout terms 2 and 3. You need to pass all three elements in order to achieve a Level 2 in Functional Skills. Once you have achieved a level 2 you will be able to progress onto GCSE.
Exam Outline:
Paper 1: Reading
1 hour
33.3% of Functional Skills
Reading three texts
Section A: Multiple Choice
Section B: Short written response
Paper 2: Writing
1 hour
33.3% of Functional Skills
Two writing tasks Inc: Letters, emails, leaflets and handouts.
Assessment Objectives:
Reading
R2.1: Select and use different types of texts to obtain and use relevant information.
R2.2: Read and summarise information from different sources. R2.3: Identify the purposes of a text and comment on how meaning is conveyed.
R2.4: Identify opinions, implicit meaning and bias.
R2.5: Analyse texts in relation to audience.
Writing
W2.1: Present information concisely and persuasively.
W2.2: Present information on complex ideas.
W2.3: Use a range of writing styles for different purposes.
W2.4: Use a range of sentence structures and paragraphs to organise writing effectively.
W2.5: Punctuate writing using commas, apostrophes and inverted commas.
W2.6: Writing is fit for purpose and audience with accurate spelling and grammar.
