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GCSE English Language Course in Trowbridge for 16 to 18 Year Olds

CostFree for 16 to 18 year olds
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start2 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyAQA awarding body

A sixth-form course for 16 to 18 year olds. Aged 19 or over? Check which courses you can do free.

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About this course

Free GCSE English Language Course in Trowbridge. Classes run at The John of Gaunt School, full-time during the day. The course is free for 16 to 19 year old students enrolled at the school.

You'll study two papers over the year. The first covers creative reading and writing, using unseen fiction texts from the 20th and 21st centuries. The second focuses on non-fiction texts and discursive writing, including a pre-20th century literary text. You'll develop skills in reading, analysis, and extended writing across both papers.

You'll finish with a GCSE in English Language, awarded by AQA.

Who this course is for

For Paper 1: ‘Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing’, students will answer questions on an unseen fiction text from the 20th or 21st century and complete a piece of creative writing (descriptive or narrative). For Paper 2: ‘Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives’, students will answer questions on two non-fiction texts, one of which will be a ‘literary’ non-fiction text, written pre-20th century and write a piece of discursive writing to present a viewpoint.

Entry requirements

Please refer to school website

What you will learn

  • You'll read and analyse unseen fiction texts from the 20th and 21st centuries.
  • You'll write descriptive and narrative pieces in response to fiction prompts.
  • You'll compare two non-fiction texts, including a pre-20th century literary non-fiction text.
  • You'll write discursive pieces that present a clear viewpoint.
  • You'll develop skills in identifying writers' techniques and explaining their effects.
  • You'll build extended writing skills across creative and analytical tasks.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom lessons at The John of Gaunt School. Assessment is by two written exams at the end of the course. Paper 1 tests creative reading and writing. Paper 2 tests your response to non-fiction texts and your ability to write discursively. There is no coursework component for this AQA qualification.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. The John of Gaunt School will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Customer service adviser, clear written communication is essential in this role.
  • Administrative assistant, employers often ask for a GCSE English Language qualification.
  • Retail team member, written skills support daily tasks and customer contact.
  • Healthcare support worker, reading and writing accurately is required in care settings.
  • Teaching assistant, schools expect a GCSE English Language certificate as a minimum.

What you could study next

  • A Level English Language or English Literature, the natural next step for those wanting to study English at a higher level.
  • BTEC Level 3 in a subject of your choice, many courses list a GCSE English Language course as an entry requirement.
  • Apprenticeship, most frameworks require a GCSE in English as a condition of completion.
Apply on johnofgauntschool.org →
Apply now →

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