Functional Skills

A Guide

“Functional Skills is a central piece of the jigsaw” QCA (qualifications curriculum agency)

FS

A Levels

Diploma

GCSEs

KS3

KS4

Apprenticeships

Functional Skills

“It is essential to think of learners becoming functional with English, Maths and ICT, rather

than thinking that there is a vital body of knowledge, known as Functional Skills”

QCA (qualifications curriculum agency)

So, what are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are a key initiative in response to:

Pressure from employers Skills White papers

What are Functional Skills (FS) about ?

Applying and using skills Problem solving in real life contexts Interpreting results and communicating

analysis “it is not about simply taking a test but embedding teaching and

learning of functionality in all areas within current programmes and across the curriculum and workplace”

The 3 topicsFunctional English

Speaking and Listening

Reading

Writing

Functional Maths

Representing

Analysing

Interpreting

Functional ICT

Use of ICT

Find and select information

Develop, present and communicate

“Performance Statements”

“

Technica

l Demands”

“Complexity and Familiarity”

FS Grading

FS are simply marked as pass or fail A marginal fail at Level 2 DOES NOT result in

an award of a Level 1 pass, Each test is completely separate.

Students have to be entered at the right level Exams are taken on line and increasingly “on

demand”.

Themes and Contexts

Realistic and relevant.

Key objective is transferability of skills, assessment is not always in the subject area of the Certificate/Diploma.

More initial reading than GCSE is required to “set the scene” but reading age will be kept low.

Websites

https://rals.advancelearningzone.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/accredited-courses/level-one

www.cityandguilds.co.uk - an online resource for learners and tutors

The profiles