Has your child just started secondary special school or college? Or, are you teaching in special education for the first time? If you’ve heard about Entry Levels and you’re feeling confused, here’s what you’ll find on this page:
- How do Entry Levels (sometimes also called EL or Entry) fit with GCSEs?
- What subjects can you do?
- How hard are Entry Levels?
- Who takes these qualifications and when?
- Examples of test questions
How do Entry Levels fit in with GCSEs?
Entry levels recognise achievement below GCSEs on the exam ladder. They are ideal for students who have learning difficulties as they still recognise their massive achievements.
The first step is Entry Level 1, and students can work up to Entry Level 2 or even 3. Some students do. Some students will never get that far. It mainly depends on the learners’ individual abilities and their support needs.
This ladder shows how qualifications progress all the way up to GCSE.
What Entry Level subjects can you do?
Maths and English are the most common, but there are also Entry Level qualifications in arts, e-safety, construction and many more.
The work-related Entry Levels (such as construction and e-safety) tend to be more at Entry Level 3.
A government review in 2022 wanted to slim down the number of qualifications below GCSE. However, it confirmed that Entry Levels will be kept (even if they don’t cover quite as many work-related subjects). It did recognise that, for some students with severe SEND, Entry Levels in social and personal skills are still important to have.
How hard are Entry Levels?
The answer depends on the learner. A qualification that looks straightforward can represent a huge achievement for a learner with severe learning difficulties.
Entry Level 1 is suitable for students who have severe learning difficulties. After all, why shouldn’t they be able to pass exams too?
In Entry Level 1 maths, students must be able to:
- Add and subtract numbers up to 20.
- Recognise shapes like triangles and rectangles.
- Use terms like above, below, left and right.
For maths, there’s a calculator paper and a shorter paper where no calculators are allowed.
In Entry Level 1 English, students must be able:
- Read an advert or an email that has about 60 words and then answer questions.
- Order the letters of the alphabet.
- Write a short note to a friend.
- Choose the right spelling from a list (e.g. stope, stop or stopp).
- Use capital letters for names and to start sentences.
Some parents and teachers like to have a comparison to better understand the level of challenge involved in Entry Levels. This rough guide compares Entry Levels to typical learning in a primary school:
- Entry Level 1: Compares to learning in Year 1
- Entry Level 2: Compares to learning in Year 2 and 3
- Entry Level 3: Compares to learning in Year 4 and 5
Learners can work at different Entry Levels in different subjects. For example, a learner might work at Entry Level 1 in English but Entry Level 2 in maths.
Each qualification can be a massive achievement for the student who can feel very proud of all their hard work.
Who takes these qualifications and when?
Entry Levels are commonly taken by young people who have severe SEND.
These learners tend to take the assessments aged 15 or 16. However, some students keep climbing the Entry Level ladder at college.
Therefore, Entry Levels are mainly taken by learners who have SEND and are aged between 14 and 20.
Schools and colleges can organise the tests so that they happen during their usual summer term exam period. However, they can run the tests whenever they want and some will arrange them for as soon as a group of learners is ready.
What about learners who aren’t ready for Entry Levels?
Students who are not ready for Entry Levels often work on something called a “life skills curriculum”. Learning includes road safety, self-care (e.g. hair brushing, using deodorant) or buying things from a shop. It is practical and helps young people to become safe and independent adults.
Most students who need a life skills curriculum have very severe learning difficulties. In most council areas, there are only a few dozen 16-year-olds in this group. But if they are working hard, why shouldn’t they earn certificates for their efforts too?
Summary of Entry Levels
Entry levels are qualifications that sit before GCSEs on the assessment ladder. They allow students who have SEND to gain recognition and a sense of achievement.
Entry Levels give learners a valuable way to demonstrate what they know. For many learners who have SEND, achieving these qualifications shows significant progress and deserves to be recognised.
Where can I get more info?
- See past exam papers for Entry Level English (opens in new tab).
- See past exam papers for Entry Level Maths (opens in new tab).
- To ask questions or get support, please get in touch.
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