Functional skills | About functional skills

The draft standards for Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 are available on the QCA website. The standards will inform the content of the qualifications that the awarding bodies will develop in each subject and at each level. They are likely to evolve to reflect feedback from both trials and piloting. However, the basic premise on which they were based - that learners need to be able to function in literacy, numeracy and ICT in order to be successful in their personal and working lives - will remain at the heart of the standards. The standards for Level 3 are expected to be developed in due course along with a more flexible onscreen pilot model.

BTECs - Our BTEC suite of qualifications provides excellent opportunities for the teaching and learning of functional skills in vocational contexts. Research has shown that for many students these vocational contexts are a successful platform for the applied teaching and learning of English, mathematical and ICT skills. We are working towards the integrated delivery of all three functional skills across our highly successful BTEC qualifications.

Apprenticeships - The Apprenticeships framework is currently being revised by the QCA to include functional skills, which will eventually replace the key skills component.

Foundation Learning Tier (FLT) - Functional skills will become a component of the progression pathways for the FLT.

As stand-alone qualifications, it is expected that functional skills will be a feature of all programmes for all learners, especially those without a Level 2 qualification.

The current intention is that functional skills will be a part of the KS4 curriculum and their teaching will be integral to the new GCSE specifications for English, mathematics and ICT from September 2010.

Whilst functional skills are no longer positioned as a hurdle for achievement of grades A* to C at GCSE level, it is important that students are encouraged to develop these vital skills.*

In the meantime, we are supporting eligible and non-eligible centres to ensure they are up to date with the changes and prepared for the implementation of functional skills as part of the GCSEs in 2010. Make sure you’ve registered to join either our pilot programme or our Development Programme by completing the Expression of Interest form.

To keep up to date with the latest developments and for details of our free launch events for GCSE 2010 taking place now, click on the subject links below:

English

Mathematics

ICT

Are you registered to receive our newsletter? If not email us at fsdevelopment@edexcel.com.

*An announcement regarding the achievement of FS qualifications and the link to the School Report Card is expected in forthcoming months. We will keep you updated.