The dominant GCSE English Language pathway for the existing Nudge North East cohort. NEO supports learners registered with AQA via revision and prep alongside their primary NEO programme. NEO does not register learners with AQA — registration sits with the LA, school, or commissioner.
Source: aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700.
Components
- Paper 1 — Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing. Externally assessed. 1h 45min, 80 marks, 50% of grade. Section A: Reading on a 20th- or 21st-century literary fiction source (40 marks, AOs 1, 2, 4). Section B: Creative writing — descriptive or narrative (40 marks, AOs 5, 6).
- Paper 2 — Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives. Externally assessed. 1h 45min, 80 marks, 50% of grade. Section A: Reading on two non-fiction sources, one from the 19th century and one from the 20th or 21st (40 marks, AOs 1, 2, 3, 4). Section B: Writing to present a viewpoint (40 marks, AOs 5, 6).
- Spoken Language Endorsement. Non-examined; separately reported (Pass / Merit / Distinction); does not count towards the 9–1 grade.
Assessment Objectives
Six AOs cover Reading and Writing across both papers. Three additional AOs (AO7, AO8, AO9) cover the separately-reported Spoken Language Endorsement.
- AO1 — Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise evidence from different texts.
- AO2 — Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views.
- AO3 — Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
- AO4 — Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
- AO5 — Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts.
- AO6 — Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
- AO7–AO9 — Spoken Language Endorsement
Tests canonical
Each AO page wikilinks to one or more canonical KS4 English strands.
Revision support
CGP, Oxford, and Pearson revise-AQA series — see Revision guides for sourcing pattern.