The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is now closed for the festive period, with no access to emails or phone lines until Monday 6th January 2025. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible on our return.

Thank you for your patience. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Student reading textbook

Course Overview

This course can either be studied at Wakefield College, Castleford College or Selby College.

Improve your English skills by attending our friendly but focused part-time Functional Skills classes and gain a vital qualification which will help you in the world of work and further studies.

GCSE English is required by Higher Education establishments and many employers. If you want to improve your skills, this course will develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and help you to gain that vital qualification.

You will join one of our friendly but focused classes, working both as part of a group and as an individual to develop your skills.

You will learn through classroom based lessons which will prepare you for the linear specification. A variety of group paired, and individual work will serve to enhance learning. Each lesson will follow a plan outlined by a supporting PowerPoint which will provide necessary information to aid learning.

What You Will Study

Part-Time GCSE English:

Improving language skills, both written and oral; interpreting and analysing texts; creative writing; formal writing and studying various non-literary texts. Emphasis will be placed on improving your written, oral and comprehension skills. In line with the new specification, a bigger emphasis will also be placed on improving spelling, punctuation and grammar skills.

Part-Time Functional Skills Classes:

You will work on your skills in:

Speaking and Listening;
Improve your speaking and listening skills in an informal environment to enhance your communication for workplace or everyday situations.

Reading;
Explore a variety of written texts to improve understanding of meaning.

Writing;
Develop your written communication skills through producing a range of texts including letters, emails, articles and reports.

  • Attendance Expectations

    Part-Time GCSE English:

    One day/evening per week - various classes available.

    Part-Time Functional Skills Classes:

    This is a 20-week course requiring students to attend a three hour session each week either during the day or on an evening.

  • How You Will Be Assessed

    Part-Time GCSE English:

    Assessments compromise of two end of year examinations, each 1 hour and 45 minutes. These are weighted at 50% each. You will complete mock exams and formative assessments throughout the year to monitor your progress.

    Part-Time Functional Skills Classes:

    Your progress will be reviewed throughout the year and you will receive feedback following assessments to target learning to suit your needs.

    You will be assessed in different ways depending on which part of the qualification you do ranging from an internally marked assessment to externally marked examinations.

  • Entry Requirements

    Part-Time GCSE English:

    GCSE English Grade 3

    OR

    Functional Skills English Level 2

    All prospective students will need to complete initial assessment tasks both in writing and on computer.

     

    Part-Time Functional Skills Classes:

    You do not need any qualifications to enrol on this course. You will have a one-to-one interview and an assessment of your skills before you start. Following assessment, you will be advised of the most appropriate qualification for you.

  • Fee Information

    £TBC

  • Further Study

    Part-Time GCSE English:

    Many jobs identify GCSE English as a basic requirement, as do Higher Education courses. Wakefield College offers a range of courses for which GCSE English is either a requirement, or extremely useful.

    Part-Time Functional Skills Classes:

    You may be able to progress onto other English courses, GCSEs, or other academic or vocational courses. We will offer you advice to help you make future choices. Many HE providers may now accept Functional Skills qualifications.