Functional Skills
This section briefly outlines the national introduction of Functional Skills, with links to key websites.
Functional Skills have been designed to provide students of all ages with the practical ability to use English, Mathematics and ICT in everyday life and at work.
Qualifications will be available in three subjects - English, Mathematics and ICT.
They will be taken alongside reformed GCSEs, as part of the new Diplomas and Apprenticeships, as well as being available as standalone qualifications for young people and adults.
To achieve grades A*-C for GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT, it is expected students will need a level 2 in the relevant Functional Skills from 2010.
The Functional Skills qualifications are currently being piloted across 1,000 centres with a further 1,000 centres joining the pilot in September 2008 with the intention that qualifications will be available nationally from September 2010.
The DCSF website provides a good overview. DCSF – Functional Skills
A wide range of Frequently Asked questions about Functional Skills are available through the following link to the QCA website: QCA and selecting the FAQs option
Details of the awarding bodies offering Functional Skills qualification are available through the National Assessment Agency
In order to help professionals engaged in 14-19 learning, the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) and the Secondary National Strategy (SNS) have been commissioned to design and develop a programme of support for the introduction of functional skills.
In addition, the QIA Excellence Gateway offers access to a range of learning materials for teachers delivering Functional Skills. For details see Learning and Skills Network – Functional Skills Support Programme
Judy Carrick is the QIA Functional Skills Co-ordinator for the North East and can be contacted at functionalskills.northeast@fsmail.net
