functional skills a guide. “functional skills is a central piece of the jigsaw” qca...
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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