All students at Launchpad will have the opportunity to study GCSE English Language

This qualification is designed for learners so they will develop a range of reading, writing and speaking skills. This includes interpreting language, evaluating characters, motives and settings and comparing texts and ideas. You will develop the ability to analyse language in close and thorough detail, exploring how writers use language to influence and, at times, manipulate readers and audiences.

What is Launchpad aiming to achieve through the English Language curriculum?
In GCSE English Language pupils read a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism.

Rationale
Many of our learners arrive with lower than average reading ages. As a result, they are disaffected by English – a subject that requires significant reading and writing – so our initial aim is to re-engage them in the subject and equip students with confidence and pride to move forwards Our main aim is to provide pupils with a qualification in English and offer the opportunity to gain a GCSE.

We strive to:
• provide support in, independently, reading and writing for the real world
• up skill pupils’ comprehension of a range of text types across the centuries;
• encourage creative writing and writing for different purposes.

Assessments
There are two AQA English Language exam papers at GCSE.
Paper 1 looks at ‘Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing.’ Pupils will be asked to analyse a literature text as well as writing a descriptive piece.
Paper 2 looks at ‘Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives.’ Pupils analyse a non-fiction text, and present a viewpoint through a piece of writing.
Pupils also look at presenting verbally and discussing as part of the Spoken Language aspect of the course, although this is not ultimately assessed.

Progression Opportunities:
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress onto studying A Level English Language which could lead to a wide variety of careers in media, theatre, teaching, journalism, radio broadcasting and advertising