These GCSE, English Language Assessment Tools helps screen students for their ability in Reading & Writing (Fiction). Designed for teachers and educators, the comprehensive and easy to use resources provide a clear overview of student ability, highlighting areas of strength and identifying where further support is needed. They are ideal to use at the start, middle or end of the academic year, providing useful data.
GCSE, English Language, Reading Assessment Tool (Fiction): This tool is designed to provide a thorough overview of a student’s reading comprehension in fiction. It assesses four key areas, each with a clear marking rubric to help you pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses in text retrieval, vocabulary and effect, use of topic sentences in a reading response and language/structural devices.
The reading assessment includes an extract from “SPACE STATION 1” by Frank Long, followed by a series of comprehension questions, vocabulary tasks, and questions on topic sentences and literary devices. An answer key is provided for easy marking.
GCSE, English Language, Writing Assessment Tool (Fiction)
This tool offers a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s narrative writing abilities. It uses a picture prompt to elicit creative responses and assesses students across four crucial areas:
Grammar and Punctuation
Descriptive Language
Spelling
Text Structure
Each assessment provides a total mark, allowing you to quickly identify areas of strength and weakness for each student divided into: Concern/Some Work Required and Area of Strength.
These tools are invaluable for tracking progress, informing teaching strategies, and preparing students for their GCSE English Language examinations.
Elevate your pupils’ writing and secure those vital SPaG marks with this comprehensive resource pack, specifically designed for Year 5 and 6 students preparing for their SATs. It is also useful for students with additional needs in secondary school.
This ready-to-use collection focuses on a crucial element of grammar and descriptive writing: prepositions and prepositional phrases. Mastering these not only boosts SPaG scores but also enriches narrative writing, allowing pupils to craft vivid, engaging, and grammatically precise sentences - essential skills for the KS2 writing assessment.
The unit includes:
Prepositional Opener Exercises - A diverse range of activities that will enable students to confidently identify, use, and even open sentences with prepositional phrases. Exercises include linking phrases, matching, unjumbling sentences, and creative picture prompts to encourage application.
Prepositions in Narrative : A Storyteller’s Guide - This guide empowers young writers to harness the power of prepositions to set scenes, add descriptive detail, and vary sentence structure. It provides clear explanations, examples, and engaging exercises, including completing stories and crafting original narrative starters using prepositional phrases.
Key Benefits for Your Pupils -
Targeted SPaG Improvement: Directly addresses the grammatical understanding of prepositions required for the KS2 SPaG test.
Enhanced Writing Fluency & Detail: Teaches students how to use prepositions to add depth, clarity, and sophistication to their narratives, moving beyond simple sentences.
Varied Sentence Structures: Equips pupils with the tools to start sentences in different ways, improving their writing style and meeting national curriculum expectations for varied openers.
SATs Ready: Builds confidence in applying grammatical knowledge within both SPaG assessments and extended writing tasks.
This comprehensive story writing unit is specifically designed for secondary ESL and SEN learners, providing a structured and engaging approach to story creation. It offers detailed guidance for developing narrative skills, focusing on key elements of story writing and descriptive techniques.
It guides students through the fundamental phases of crafting a compelling story and includes -
Genre Identification: Students will explore various story types (genres) and choose one that interests them, providing a foundational framework for their narrative. They will learn to identify genre characteristics through visual aids and discussions.
Setting Development: Learners will be prompted to create clear and consistent settings for their stories, considering visual and sensory features. The unit includes activities to help describe what can be seen, heard, smelt, felt, and tasted in a chosen environment.
Character Creation: The unit assists students in developing distinct and functional characters. This includes brainstorming main characters and supporting cast, and detailing their appearance, likes, skills, and relationships.
Descriptive Language: A dedicated section focuses on descriptive verbs in the past tense, teaching students how to use powerful words to add detail, emotion, and vivid imagery to their writing, moving beyond simple verbs.
Problem and Goal Identification: The unit helps students establish a central conflict or challenge for their characters, ensuring a coherent plot progression.
This resource is ideal for fostering creativity and improving literacy skills and is suitable secondary and upper KS2 students, especially those with ESL or SEN.
This unit offers a comprehensive approach to teaching structural analysis in English Language, specifically designed for AQA, English Language teachers. The materials focus on “The Miniature Menace” text and is suitable for students with additional needs, including those with dyslexia. It provides a framework in which to develop PEEL paragraphs.
Key Features
PEEL Paragraph Focus: The activities are structured around the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) paragraph model, helping students to effectively analyse textual structure. There is a model PEEL paragraph and a writing frame scaffold.
Key Vocabulary Development: The spelling activity targets challenging vocabulary from the text, reinforcing visual memory for improved retention, particularly beneficial for dyslexic students.
Structural Device Analysis: A series of comprehension questions delve into various structural devices used in “The Miniature Menace,” such as juxtaposition, zooming in/out (focus), dialogue and withheld information
Answer Keys: Full answer keys are provided for all comprehension questions, outlining the impact and effect of each structural device.
Accessibility: The spelling activity, which involves filling in missing vowels or syllables, is specifically highlighted as useful for dyslexic students due to its reinforcement of visual memory.
This resource provides a valuable tool for teachers looking to enhance students’ analytical skills in understanding how authors craft meaning through structural choices.
Explore Eric Birling’s pivotal role in ‘An Inspector Calls’ with this comprehensive and engaging resource bundle, perfect for GCSE English Literature students with dyslexia or other additional needs!
This unit provides a deep dive into Eric Birling’s character development and his crucial connection to the play’s central themes of social responsibility and class. Designed with a focus on active learning and accessibility, it includes a unique spelling activity tailored for visual learners, detailed textual analysis, and a structured essay writing framework.
Included:
**Interactive Spelling Activity: Eric’s Key Vocabulary **
“Spelling: Visual Tracking” for key vocabulary describing Eric’s character.
Focuses on words like “irresponsible,” “entitled,” “exploitative,” “coercive,” “remorseful,” “perceptive,” “rebellious,” and “confrontational”.
Students fill in missing vowels in sequence, reinforcing visual memory - particularly beneficial for dyslexic learners.
**Eric and Eva’s Relationship: Storyboard Analysis & Summary **
Visually engaging storyboard sequence depicting Eric and Eva/Daisy Renton’s first meeting.
Includes “Sentence Starters to Describe Eric and Eva’s Relationship”, guiding students to summarise the panels and analyse the power dynamics and changing mood of their initial interactions.
**Eric and Social Responsibility: Extract Analysis & Essay Writing Framework **
Features three key extracts from the play focusing on Eric’s confession, his theft, and his evolving understanding of social responsibility.
Includes a structured P-E-E-L (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) essay framework, guiding students to analyse how Priestley uses Eric to explore the “lack of social responsibility the upper classes had towards the working classes”.
Use this assessment tool to establish a baseline and track the progress of EAL / ESL Learners with this Comprehensive Assessment Pack. Are you looking for a robust and reliable way to assess newly arrived English as an Additional Language (EAL) students in your setting? This meticulously designed EAL Assessment Pack, aligned with the widely recognized Proficiency in English (PiE) scale, provides everything you need to accurately assess proficiency across all key language skills.
This all-in-one resource covers the four core language skills:
Writing Assessment
Alphabet Recognition & Formation: A clear task to assess a student’s ability to write the alphabet in lowercase.
Vocabulary from Picture: An engaging activity where students list visible items from a detailed street scene.
Sentence Construction: Tasks for writing general sentences about a picture and sentences using specific openers.
Storyboard Recount: A visual sequence of six panels prompts students to write a coherent narrative, assessing their ability to recount events logically.
Reading Assessment
Alphabet Reading: Assess recognition of lowercase letters.
Graded Single Word Reading: From CVC words to more challenging multi-syllable words, this activity assesses decoding and recognition.
Fluency & Comprehension: A classic fable, “The Lion and the Mouse,” is provided for reading aloud, followed by differentiated comprehension questions ranging from simple recall to extended inference and opinion.
Speaking & Listening Assessment
Differentiated Questions: A carefully structured set of 15 questions, progressing from basic personal information (e.g., “What is your name?”) to more challenging hypothetical and reasoning questions (e.g., “Imagine you could travel anywhere…”). These questions are designed to encourage communication and investigate proficiency across tiers.
Why Choose the EAL / ESL Assessment Pack?
PiE Scale Alignment: Directly linked to the UK’s influential Proficiency in English (PiE) scale (Bands A-E).
Comprehensive Coverage: Assesses writing, speaking, listening, and reading elements in one convenient pack.
Graded Activities: Tasks are designed to progressively challenge students, suitable for various proficiency levels from “New to English” to “Developing Competence” and beyond.
Clear Mark Schemes & Rubrics: Includes detailed mark schemes for each section and a final comprehensive rubric to interpret overall scores against PiE bands.
Formative & Summative Use: Ideal for informing teaching and providing targeted support, as well as tracking progress.
Empower your EAL learners on their journey with accurate and insightful assessment!
This free, 11+ pack contains an extract from Black Beauty, drawing activities to aid comprehension and an exam to assess understanding. Answers are provided.
The drawing activities are designed to support close reading and understanding of vocabulary.
Are you looking for comprehensive, engaging resources to help your GCSE, English Literature students master the theme of violence in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? This complete downloadable pack provides everything you need to guide your students through close textual analysis, develop their understanding of key characters and their motivations, and excel in their exams.
Designed specifically for GCSE English Literature teachers, this resource goes beyond surface-level plot summaries to delve into the pervasive and destructive nature of violence throughout the play.
This pack includes three Detailed Extracts with Guided Activities:
Act 3, Scene 1 (Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio) - Explore the immediate aftermath of Mercutio’s death and Romeo’s vengeful fury. This section includes a glossary to support student comprehension of archaic language. Activities prompt students to consider character thoughts (“Thoughts Aloud” for Mercutio and Romeo ) and Romeo’s emotional state after killing Mercutio.
Act 1, Scene 1 (Opening Brawl): Analyze the initial skirmish between the Capulets and Montagues, highlighting the aggressive loyalty of the servants, Benvolio’s role as peacemaker and Tybalt’s fiery temper and hatred. The resource also examines the escalation of conflict through citizen involvement.
Act 5, Scene 3 (Tomb Scene - Paris and Romeo): Investigate the tragic final confrontation, including Paris’s perception of Romeo and his motives , Romeo’s despair and initial attempts to avoid further violence and his ultimate provocation and self-sacrifice. A comprehensive glossary is provided for this extract as well.
The unit contains targeted comprehension questions and tasks, visual learning aids such as storyboards, detailed glossaries, key quotations analysis and a structured writing frame to help write about violence in the play.
The comprehensive writing frame helps students structure their essays on the effects of violence in the play, with specific points on the opening brawl, Tybalt’s fury, the central duel, societal consequences, and the final confrontation. This directly supports answering typical GCSE essay questions.
Adapted for GCSE English Literature (SEN and ESL Learners), this resource pack is designed to help students access and understand The Sign of the Four in a structured, supportive way. With simplified materials, visual aids, and scaffolded writing support, it is ideal for GCSE students who need a more accessible route through Conan Doyle’s complex detective story.
What is Included:
Abridged Version of the Novel
A student-friendly retelling of The Sign of the Four in both narrative and play script formats. This version:
Breaks the text into twelve manageable chapters
Uses accessible vocabulary and clear dialogue
Offers an inclusive way into the story for students who struggle with Victorian language or long prose
Makes it easier to identify key moments, characters, and themes
True or False Character Quizzes
Eight engaging quizzes covering Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, Mary Morstan, Thaddeus and Bartholomew Sholto, Major Sholto, Jonathan Small, and Tonga. These quizzes help learners consolidate key facts, correct misconceptions, and recall important character traits. Perfect for use as:
Starters or revision tasks
Paired work or independent study
Oral discussion to build confidence
Character and Object Analysis
A matching activity linking significant objects to each character, supported by clear and concise explanations. This task helps students understand symbolism, develop character knowledge, and reinforce memory with visual cues.
GCSE Writing Support
Includes a structured exam-style question based on an extract from Chapter 5, with:
A detailed writing frame
Sentence starters and paragraph guides
Focus on how Conan Doyle creates mystery and tension
Support with analysing setting, dialogue, structure, and characterisation
This section is perfect for students learning to write extended responses and build confidence with GCSE exam expectations.
This comprehensive Worlds and Lives, GCSE (AQA) resource supports students in exploring complex ideas about identity through the poems Thirteen by Caleb Femi and Name Journeys by Raman Mundair. Ideal for GCSE English Literature preparation, it includes a wide range of comprehension, analysis, and comparative tasks that build towards thoughtful and confident essay writing.
What is Included:
Section-by-section comprehension questions to check literal understanding.
Language and structure analysis tasks to help students develop deeper interpretations.
Essay-style comparison questions to support analytical writing.
Detailed writing frame to scaffold a full comparative essay.
Comparison table of poetic techniques across both poems to support revision and classroom discussion.
Skills Developed:
Retrieval and inference
Poetic language analysis
Structural interpretation
Essay planning and comparative writing
Perfect for classroom use, independent study, or intervention, this resource helps learners unpack the themes of race, culture, language, and memory. It is especially valuable for students who benefit from clear structure and visual aids to support abstract thinking.
This engaging and well-constructed GCSE (AQA), English Language, Paper Two resource presents two contrasting nonfiction texts about gardening—one modern, humorous, and reflective; the other traditional, formal, and instructional. Students will compare attitudes, analyse language, and explore perspectives on annual flowers while developing key skills for AQA English Language Paper 2.
Includes:
**Reading **
Two source extracts: A witty, modern article and a charming Victorian gardening guide
Four exam-style questions (Q1–Q4) mirroring AQA format
Detailed explanations with comparison tables
Ready-to-use for classroom practice, homework, or revision
Why It Works:
Engages students with lively, unexpected nonfiction content
Strengthens comparative analysis, inference, and language evaluation skills
Supports both higher and foundation tier learners
Writing
GCSE Writing Task: Mental Health Support for Young People
Resource Type: Non-fiction Writing Practice (Paper 2, Section B)
Suitable For: GCSE English Language (AQA), Non-fiction Writing Practice
Overview:
This persuasive writing task helps students explore the important and relatable issue of youth mental health. Students are asked to write an article for a local newspaper responding to the statement:
“The lack of mental health support for young people is extremely concerning. If we don’t act soon, many young people face an uncertain and unhappy future.”
Includes:
Full writing prompt in the AQA exam style
Structured planning and content guide
Balanced ideas: for and against the statement
Marking checklist based on AQA success criteria
Why It Works:
Encourages students to express views on real-world issues
Develops argumentative and persuasive writing techniques
Ideal for mock assessments or preparation for Paper 2, Question 5
This Paper Two, English Language resource includes a practice paper, indicative content/guidance and a writing unit that contains a writing frame.
The exam paper contains two extracts based on a journey in Italy. These are followed by typical Paper Two questions. A useful indicative content/guidance section helps mark the work. This rubric can also be discussed with students.
The writing booklet contains a question prompt about mobile phones. A writing frame is provided for students who find it difficult to structure their ideas.
A useful unit to prepare for Paper Two!
These extensive resources support students with GCSE, English Language (AQA), Paper 2. It contains a practice paper and indicative content, a writing booklet focused on introductions and a reading analysis booklet about how to identify and comment on humorous techniques.
The practice paper includes two extracts about journeys in the Balkans. Typical questions and indicative content are provided.
The second booklet is about identifying humour to comment on tone. Some students find it difficult to identify this feature. This booklet provides an outline of humorous techniques and examples of these in two texts.
The first text is about Mark Twain’s experience of travelling across the Wild West of America. It is followed by comprehension questions which aim to help students identify the humorous features and their effect. The second text is written by Robert Louis Stevenson, in which he travels in France on a donkey. Students then complete an extended essay question. Answers are provided.
Finally, a writing booklet focuses on how to structure an introduction. It provides examples. The questions can be used as essay prompts if required.
This unit provides an effective framework for students to succeed in Paper Two!
The pack contains reading and writing practice questions, indicative content tables, writing frames and a punctuation quiz.
The reading practice paper extracts are based on a visit to Italy. The first text is more modern and the second older. Typical questions are provided along with indicative content.
The writing section contains two writing questions. Writing frames are provided for students with additional needs. An indicative content table is included.
The punctuation quiz focuses on the use of full stops and commas. Many students use the comma incorrectly and this provides an opportunity to discuss its use.
The unit provides effective preparation for Eduqas Component Two!
Following the Functional Skills, Level 2, English format, this unit includes writing prompts, a model with questions aimed to help students understand the language and structure of a successful response and a reading extract with comprehension questions.
Based on the the of healthy eating, the model answer is an example of a successful response. Key vocabulary is listed which can be used for comprehension or spelling, along with some True/False statements. A follow up writing prompt is provided, along with indicative content.
The reading booklet provides a typical magazine article along with reading comprehension questions. Answers are provided.
This Functional Skills unit will provide a successful framework to help students make progress.
These two unique booklets support GCSE, English Language students in understanding how to analyse the language features “Imagery”, “Powerful Verbs” and “Literary Devices” in their reading responses. It is useful for exam boards that require comments on language.
The first booklet uses extracts from a Katherine Mansfield story and a DH Lawrence travel narrative. This is followed by a series of repeated analytical sentences. This repeated structure helps students familiarise themselves with the way they need to write about the literary devices. There is a section at the end with a new extract that students attempt to write about using the relevant language terms.
The second booklet focuses on “Verbs/Imagery” and includes extracts from a DH Lawrence travel narrative. It follows the same format.
Both independent activities contain an Indicative Content section.
With its unique approach, the booklets are an effective way to teach language devices.
These two unique booklets support GCSE, English Language students in understanding how to use the structural device terms “Zooming In/Out” and “Juxtaposition” in their reading response. It is useful for exam boards that require comments on structure.
The first booklet uses an extract from “The Monkey’s Paw”, an early twentieth century short story. This is followed by a series of repeated analytical sentences such as “The writer zooms out on the cold and wet night to create a gloomy, threatening mood that contrasts with the safety inside.” This repeated structure helps students familiarise themselves with the way they need to write about this device. There is a section at the end with a new extract that students attempt to write about using the relevant structural terms.
The second booklet focuses on “Juxtaposition” and includes extracts from “At the Bay”, another early twentieth century short story. It follows the same format.
With its unique approach, the booklets are an effective way to teach structural elements.
The worksheet contains an extract, and graded comprehension questions structured from retrieval to evaluation.
The extract is taken from the early 20th century, short story, “The Monkey’s Paw”.
The worksheet is a useful resource to introduce Year 8 students to more complex comprehension tasks.
This unit supports the fiction element for GCSE, English Language, both reding and writing. It contains a reading analysis booklet with an extract, an analytical table task and a model paragraph. The writing booklets consist of a show not tell table to depict graded emotions and a punctuation booklet. The unit is suitable for all exam boards.
Using the opening paragraph of an Agatha Christie novel, students are required to complete a table with analysis, meaning and evaluation points. After this, the write their own paragraphs in response to a typical language question. A model paragraph is provided.
The writing section helps students use show not tell in a nuanced way. Three tasks taken from past papers for three boards are given along with model openings.
The punctuation booklets requires students to choose the comma, full stop or semi-colon. It is a useful prompt to encourage discussion of how to correctly use punctuation.
The unit has been successful in helping students improve their response to the fiction paper across different exam boards!
This Functional Skills - Level 2, writing resource contains a writing prompt about writing a report regarding communication and team work. To support students, there is a writing frame, as well as spelling and punctuation activities.
The question encourages students to think of a way to improve communication in their team. The writing frame helps them structure their ideas and use appropriate grammar.
The spelling and punctuation sections provide a framework in which to improve spelling of business related words and to use the comma, full stop and semi-colon accurately.
The unit has proved successful in supporting students who find it difficult to express their ideas in formal English.