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Functional skills
Last updated: 01 Jun 2009
Welcome to the functional skills section of the QCA website.
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Please take part in the functional skills qualification criteria consultation by 31 August 2009 |
Functional skills are practical skills in English, information and communication technology (ICT) and mathematics, that allow individuals to work confidently, effectively and independently in life.
More information on functional skills qualifications, including details of our consultation on criteria for functional skills qualifications, is available from the menus on the left-hand menu on this page.
Latest news
Launch of consultation on functional skills qualifications criteria
We have launched a public consultation on the draft criteria for new functional skills qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT. The criteria set the standards required for the functional skills qualifications. Following the consultation, finalised criteria will be adopted by Ofqual as formal regulatory criteria and awarding bodies will then develop specifications for the first non-pilot functional skills qualifications for first teaching in September 2010.
Year 3 information
Over 2,000 centres are already on board the QCA's functional skills pilot and we are now looking for centres wishing to join year 3 of the pilot.
Although places on the pilot are restricted, centres that can support learners in under-represented groups or those with learners that need to access the assessments within other qualifications, such as the Diploma or an apprenticeship, are encouraged to join.
Your centre can join the functional skills pilot from September 2009 if it is:
- registering learners for the Diploma from September 2009
- offering the Advanced Diploma in September 2010
- participating in the foundation learning tier (FLT) pilot
- a further education colleges or training provider that can offer apprenticeships
- a centre or provider with contracts offering learning in the custodial sector or probation service
- a centre or provider of adult education.
To join the pilot, email functionalskills@qca.org.uk.
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.
Functional skills video available online
A new functional skills short video, which illustrates some of the lessons learnt so far from the functional skills pilot, has been uploaded to the QCA website. To view the video, follow this link below.
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
Further information
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) and National Strategies (NS) have produced comprehensive resources to support the delivery of functional skills.
Further information
To find out more about 14-19 learning visit the 14-19 learning hub.