 1. What are Essential Skills Wales (ESW)?
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Essential Skills Wales (ESW) are new standards which have been produced by converging the former Key and Basic Skills qualifications to form a single ladder of progression from Entry Level 1 through to Level 4 in the skills of Communication, Application of Number and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The standards support effectiveness in learning and performance, in education and at work, by encouraging the individual to:
- think about their intentions and purposes
- plan a course of action
- implement the plan
- reflect on their progress towards completing the plan
- review the plan to suit changing circumstances or to overcome problems.
The process underpinning all ESW qualifications is therefore:
Plan → Do → Reflect → Review
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| 2. Where can I find the Standards and Guidance for ESW?
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| 3. What is the ESW Support Document which was disseminated by DFES in November 2011?
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In order to clarify perceived inconsistencies in interpretation of the standards, the DfES organised a Good Practice Meeting of representatives of all stakeholders and Awarding Organisations. The meeting was chaired by the Lead ESW Consultant appointed by the DfES. Areas of concern were discussed and commonly agreed outcomes are contained in the ESW Support Document. |
| 4. Should all of the skills outlined in the Amplification of Evidence Requirements third column of ESW Standards and Guidance be included in portfolios?
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The heading to this column: ‘In order to show that you are competent, you need to know how to:’ has been interpreted in different ways by Practitioners and Awarding Organisations. This important detail was clarified in the ‘Good Practice Meeting’ of September 2011 hosted by DfES.
The agreement, outlined in the ESW Support Document, is that all of the skills in Column 3 should be taught but not necessarily included in portfolio evidence. Criteria and evidence requirements outlined in the first two columns of Standards and Guidance must however be met.
NB: It is important to note that in the Edexcel ESW specifications the second and third columns of the ESW standards are transposed.
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| 5. What is the Edexcel Quality Assurance Model for ESW?
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A Standards Verification model is in place. This means that a Standards Verifier will visit your centre to look at a range of portfolios in accordance with numbers of learners registered for each skill and level. Direct Claims status (DCS) will be awarded on condition that the portfolios meet the required standard. Your centre will receive an annual visit (two visits for Apprenticeship centres) which will also be supplemented by postal verification if necessary. Further details, along with stipulated procedures for Internal Standards Verification, are set out in our ESW Standards Verification Handbook 2011/12. |
| 6. How are ESW qualifications assessed?
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At levels 1 – 4, ESW candidates must present a portfolio of evidence which has been assessed against relevant standards. For entry levels 1-3, Awarding Organisations may choose from a range of assessment methods. Edexcel has opted to use the same method of assessment i.e. portfolio evidence, for accreditation from Entry Level 1 through to Level 4. |
| 7. Should evidence be derived solely from the candidate’s work or vocational programme?
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Evidence may be generated in the context of the candidate’s wider learning, training programme, employment, or in their domestic or leisure activities. (see page 4, Standards and Guidance). |
| 8. What are the differences between ESW and Key Skills?
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| 9. Are UCAS points attached to ESW qualifications?
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Essential Skills Wales - UCAS Tariff points
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Grade |
Tariff points |
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Level 4 |
30 |
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Level 3 |
20 |
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Level 2* |
10 |
*For admission to HE from 2011 onwards, UCAS Tariff points will be allocated to Level 2 qualifications only if both the following criteria are met:
- they are broad skills qualifications - Core Skills, Essential Skills, Essential Skills Wales, Functional Skills, Key Skills
- they are being studied as part of a wider composite qualification such as the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Essential Skills Wales at levels 3 and 4 will continue to attract Tariff points in their own right. |
| 10. Can learners still count previously attained Key Skills certificates towards the WBQ or Apprenticeships?
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Learners may use previously attained Key Skills, with the exception of apprenticeships which fall within the remit of the Care Sector. The relevant SSC has stipulated the requirement for attainment of ESW in each apprenticeship sector. It is advisable however to carefully read the detail in each framework agreement and to check with relevant SSC. |
| 11. Who should I contact for information about approval to offer ESW qualifications through Edexcel?
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| 12. What is the Adult Core Curriculum and is it still in place?
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The Adult Core Curriculum for literacy and numeracy, formerly associated with teaching Basic Skills, has been replaced by the ESW continuum of skills (a single ladder of progression from Entry Level 1 through to Level 4).
The Core Curriculum is however still recognised by many practitioners as a useful tool in terms of links to extensive and useful resources which were previously produced for the teaching and learning of Basic Skills. |
| 13. Is there an initial assessment tool in place for ESW?
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There are currently a number of initial assessment and diagnostic tools available to Learning Providers. A need has been identified for a common system across Wales. This is currently one of many fundamental areas of skills provision under review. |
| 14. What is the position regarding Basic Skills Quality Standards and associated Quality Mark?
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A review and evaluation of contractually funded Basic Skills provision has resulted in the extension from July 2012 to September 2013 of the Quality Standards and associated Quality Mark. This means that existing Quality Mark holders will not be reviewed and will retain their status until further notice, pending the outcome of review. It is anticipated that assessment of Learning Providers yet to achieve Quality Mark status will be complete by April 2012. |
| 15. Do I need to be qualified to teach Essential Skills Wales?
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There is currently no legislated requirement to attain a qualification in order to teach ESW, although this question is featured in the current review of all qualifications which is taking place in Wales.
New Level 2 and 3 qualifications have been designed for the purpose of supporting those who deliver ESW and the possibility of a Level 4 qualification is also under discussion. The Level 5 specialist qualification for Teaching Literacy and Numeracy is still in existence. Whilst there is no legislated requirement, the Estyn Quality Effectiveness Framework and also the recently introduced Estyn Literacy Strategy (and Numeracy Strategy to follow) have placed a strong focus on these fundamental areas of learning and the importance of a well trained teaching workforce.
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| 16. How many discussions must be evidenced in order to attain the Communication ESW qualifications?
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The requirement to evidence more than one discussion starts at Level 1. The speaking and listening elements however must be evidenced across a range of contexts: formal and informal, familiar and unfamiliar, and must incorporate a range e.g. feelings, opinions, questions etc. Consideration should also be given to the purpose of discussion.
The underlying rationale is for candidates to practise their skills in a variety of situations over a period of time. It is perfectly acceptable to evidence elements of speaking and listening through informal exchange (in addition to mandatory discussion).
NB: It is important to check precise requirements associated with each level since demands increase with progression.
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| 17. At levels 2 and 3, can the discussion which follows a short talk or presentation be used as potential evidence?
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Yes, it would be good practice to capture evidence through this naturally occurring scenario. Edexcel Levels 2 and 3 Short Talk/Presentation Recording Document is designed to capture both sources of evidence through one activity as long as all the relevant criteria are met. |
| 18. Can learners use their UCAS Personal Statements for ESW Level 3 Communication?
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To achieve Essential Skills Wales Communication at Level 3, learners are required to: "write two documents of different types, each one giving different information to different audiences about complex subjects in appropriate formats, using language that is appropriate to your purpose and audience." [Ref: Essential Skills Wales Standards -Page 74]
It is acceptable for learners to use their UCAS Personal Statement as evidence for Communication Level 3 - provided that the learner has displayed Level 3 skills. When writing a Personal Statement, the learner is dealing with subject matter that has several strands and is challenging to the learner in terms of the ideas it presents. The learner is required to present information and ideas in a logical sequence and persuasively. Therefore, writing a Personal Statement offers the learner the opportunity to do this. However, to be acceptable at Level 3, the learner must showcase their skills, not just say that they are good, e.g. 'I have good computer skills'.
Learners must also use appropriate vocabulary, e.g. it is not acceptable to say 'I love working with children'. 'Love' is not an acceptable word within a formal document. There is also no development of that idea. There must be evidence that the candidate has developed succinct ideas and has not left the reader confused or with questions.
It is not acceptable to use the UCAS Application Form as evidence as this does not allow the candidate to demonstrate Level 3 writing skills. |
| 19. Can candidates be provided with source information when completing Application of Number assessments?
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Levels of autonomy increase along the continuum – it is helpful to check the wording associated with each level e.g. at Entry Level 1 and 2 candidates are required to ‘read’ given data, at Entry Level 3 and Level 1 the word ‘obtain’ has been incorporated and at Levels 2 and 3 the word ‘collect’ has been incorporated. The Mandatory Definitions confirm that at levels up to and including Level 1, learners may be provided with or directed to sources. |
| 20. Should copies of numerical source information be included in portfolios?
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The standards state that source material should be contained in portfolios. However, in instances which involve extensive use of paper it is acceptable to include a representative sample. This issue was confirmed in ESW Support Document. |
| 21. Can Application of Number evidence be electronically produced?
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It is perfectly acceptable to submit portfolios which have been produced electronically. However it is important to include evidence of manual calculations and checking. All electronically produced work must be authenticated. |
| 22. What should evidence of Component 1 – ‘Use ICT systems’ look like?
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At each respective level there is a requirement to demonstrate the competent use of ICT systems. Evidence should incorporate Health and Safety, security and should also include confirmation of understanding of the task. The requirements of the latter increase through the levels from simply ‘understanding’ at Level 1, to analysing and accurately describing the approach to a complex activity at Level 3.
Evidence can take the form of a log, which has been completed by the candidate and assessor at various stages in the process. It is also possible to include video clips, witness statements, annotated screen shots etc. Centres may use any one or a combination of these methods. |
| 23. When will the new Wider Essential Skills (WES) qualifications be implemented?
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In view of the current Review of Qualifications 14–19 in Wales, a decision has been taken by the Welsh Government to delay the implementation of Wider Essential Skills until 2014 and also extend the review date of Wider Key Skills until 2014. |