Adult English Cambridge Campus

Free course subject to eligibility.
Some online course options are available.
Functional skills English qualifications are designed for all levels of ability. They focus on the development of reading, writing and verbal communication skills and are aimed at building your confidence in each of these areas, whether at work or in daily life.  

GCSE English Language courses are designed to support the development of your skills in communication (written and verbal), reading and analysing texts from the 19th to 21st centuries and reviewing different literacy styles dependent upon the audience and purpose.

English courses are offered as a 3-hour lesson once a week for one academic year. Options are available in the day and evening.

1:1 tutorials will also be part of the course. During these individual meetings your tutor will discuss progress and agree personal targets with you, to ensure both a successful completion of the qualification as well as meaningful academic or job progression.
Regular attendance to lessons as well as completion of homework are essential to ensure that you are ready for your external exams and gain your qualification by the end of the course at the latest. We monitor attendance closely.

The course has several assessment points during the year and you will be able to sit your exams in part or fully when you are ready.

These qualifications are recognised by colleges and employers.  Some universities accept a pass at Functional skills Level 2 instead of GCSEs.

The course we are able to offer you will depend on the outcome of the initial assessment.

Functional skills can be studied from Entry level 1 through to level 2; these qualifications are stepping stones to the GCSE.  Once you have successfully completed one level of a functional skill you will have to option to progress onto the next level or GCSE.

GCSE English is a nationally recognised qualification amongst employers and a grade 4/C is often the minimum requirement for jobs.  Students who complete this course successfully may wish to progress onto further study e.g. Access to HE courses or Degree courses.

There are no formal entry requirements for these qualifications but prior to enrolment all applicants will be required to complete an initial assessment to determine their current skill level before enrolling on the course.  The results of the initial assessment will be used to inform the level of qualification for which you will be entered.

We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CRC. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs.
Your progress will be monitored via formative assessments during the course to enable you and your tutor to identify areas that require further skill development.  

There are three assessments at all levels of FS English: reading, writing and speaking & listening.  Writing papers at entry level include a short spelling assessment. Functional skills is a pass/fail qualification.

For GCSE you will be assessed through formative assessments during the course.  There are two final examinations in June, which are graded 1-9.