Functional Skills update

Update from the QCA

Functional skills and GCSEs

On Thursday 2nd April, the new criteria for English subjects, mathematics and ICT GCSEs were published. Following advice from Ofqual – the independent qualifications regulator – to the DCSF, these new criteria do not feature a structural change to the qualifications, and therefore will not require that learners pass level 2 functional skills assessments before they can achieve grades A* - C.

However, functional skills continue to be an important part of the 14-19 reforms, particularly as they link the secondary curriculum to 14-19 qualifications.

The content changes to the GCSE criteria mean that the new GCSEs will extensively test functionality – and it is therefore expected that young people achieving higher grades will in practice have demonstrated functional skills at level 2.

In addition, functional skills are already being delivered as part of the key stage 3 curriculum and will be embedded in the programmes of study for key stage 4 in 2010 when the revised GCSEs in English subjects, mathematics and ICT are introduced. Functional skills also remain an important part of every Diploma qualification and will also feature within the foundation learning tier and apprenticeships.

DCSF has committed to continuing working with Ofqual on ways to further improve the assessment of functional skills in the GCSE so that there is a reliable, more integrated, approach to assessing what every child can do.

New functional skills case study booklet published

QCA have published a new functional skills case study booklet. This new guide, entitled 'Delivering functional skills - lessons learnt from the pilot' provides an overview of functional skills and contains 10 case studies which illustrate how different education institutions are delivering functional skills within the pilot.

Delivering functional skills - lessons learnt from the pilot

Functional skills and unique learner numbers

It is a requirement for FS pilot centres to use the unique learner number (ULN) for functional skills registrations/entries with awarding organisations from February 2009. A support pack has been sent out to pilot centres in the week commencing 12 January 2009 explaining how to register with the MIAP learner registration service in order to be able to draw down the ULNs.

Apprentices and functional skills

The latest update on apprentices in the Functional Skills pilot is now available. Follow the link on the left hand side of this page for more information.