November 2009 Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is the non-regulatory part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. © QCA 2009 Functional skills Samina Khan Head of functional skills, QCDA

What are functional skills? Practical skills in English, maths and ICT that help people get the most out of work, education and everyday life, such as: Writing a successful job application, or making a presentation – helping you to get your point across when it matters most. Using the internet to access local services or online banking. Recognising good value deals when making purchases. Functional skills qualifications are the guarantee of these skills Available at Entry levels 1, 2, 3, Level 1 and Level 2

Why functional skills? Leitch review of skills UK needs 95% of adults to have functional literacy and numeracy by 2020 CBI 3Rs report Employers demand for functional skills in applicants 2009 CBI Education and skills survey 40% of employers are concerned about the basic literacy and numeracy skills of workforce 57% concerned with basic IT skills Tomlinson report All year olds should study functional skills

Where functional skills sit? year olds GCSEs/A levels Functionality is included within the new GCSEs The Diploma Every Diploma qualification includes all three functional skills at level 1 (Foundation Diploma), or level 2 (Higher or Advanced Diploma) Apprenticeships Functional skills will have replaced key skills within all apprenticeships Foundation learning All foundation learning programmes include functional skills at the level appropriate for the learner

Cont. Curriculum Key stage 3 and 4 programmes of study Key skills replacement From September 2010, key skills will cease to be available

Functional skills within the Diploma Three models for delivering FS within the Diploma: As part of existing English, mathematics and ICT lessons Incorporate all FS learning into the Diploma Deliver FS separately The Diploma has a focus on applied and practical learning making it an ideal vehicle for embedding and developing functional skills across a Diploma programme The functional skills support programme have produce guidance on developing each Diploma QCDA and functional skills support programme have produced guidance on delivering functional skills within the Diploma

Functional skills within Apprenticeships Key skills will have been replaced within all apprenticeship frameworks by Sept 2010 All apprenticeship will include functional skills in English and mathematics, most will also include ICT Functional skills will be at the level of the framework, or one level below.

Functional skills for adult learners QCDA are piloting functional skills qualifications for adult learners Subject to successful evaluation, functional skills will replace Skills for Life adult literacy and adult numeracy qualifications, from September 2012 BIS will make a final decision in Spring 2010

The functional skills pilot First two years Inform the development of qualifications and assessments This year Measure impact of national roll-out on centres Teaching and learning Curriculum planning Guidance requirements Adult learners Assessing suitability of functional skills for adult learners

Running the pilot Independent evaluator NFERs contract taken over by Tribal in October 09 Evaluation runs throughout pilot into roll-out Final report February 2011 Supporting pilot centres Case studies Centre visits Events Web

Timeline for implementation Nov 09 Functional skills criteria published Nov 09 – Apr 10 AOs work with Ofqual and QCDA to develop specifications Sept 10 Teaching begins Apr 10 Specifications available to centres Apr 10 – Sept 10 Using specifications and support from FSSP, centres prepare to deliver functional skills June – Aug 09 Consultation on functional skills criteria

Information and support Functional skills support programme QCDA DCSF Main pilot policy 11 pilot awarding organisations