Skills for Life Support Programme Using skills checks A training session for staff delivering skills checks The Skills for Life Support Programme is delivered on behalf of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service by CfBT Education Trust and partners CfBT Education Trust 60 Queens Road Reading RG1 4BS T: F: E: W:

Skills for Life Support Programme 2 Aims –To introduce Skills for Life and skills checks, and to demonstrate their place in assessment for learning –To confirm understanding of Skills for Life levels and organisational requirements for skills checks –To consider delivery issues (eg motivation) and practise delivering a skills check

Skills for Life Support Programme 3 Learning objectives By the end of the course, you will: –know why skills checks are needed, both organisationally and in terms of the learner journey –know how to deliver skills checks accurately, confidently and supportively –know how to give positive feedback to learners and how to refer them to the next stage of assessment, if this is required

Skills for Life Support Programme 4 Skills for Life These are the ability to read, write and speak in English, and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society.

Skills for Life Support Programme 5 Skills for Life National CurriculumKey skills/NVQs Level 2 GCSE A*-C (5 or more) Level 1 Entry 2 Entry 3 Entry 1 Level 1 GCSE D-G or NC level 4/5 (av. 14 year old) NC level 3 (av. 11 year old) NC level 2 (av. 7 year old) NC level 1 (av. 5 year old)

Skills for Life Support Programme 6 Literacy and numeracy facts –In 2007, just under 40% of children in the UK left school without GCSE English at A*-C (Level 2 equivalent). –About 55% of children left school with GCSE Maths at this level. Source: Joint Council for Qualifications report, August 2007 –In England, fewer than half of adults (44%) have literacy skills at Level 2. –Only about 25% of adults have numeracy skills at this level. Source: Skills for Life survey, DfES 2003

Skills for Life Support Programme 7 Literacy and numeracy facts (cont) –Level 2 literacy skills and Level 1 numeracy skills are required by most employers. The Leitch Review of Skills sets targets for the achievement of Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 skills to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the world economy: –By 2020, 95% of adults to achieve literacy at Level 1 and numeracy at Entry 3. –90% of adults to have achieved a full Level 2 qualification (5 GCSEs at A*-C or equivalent).

Skills for Life Support Programme 8 Skills checks used Smart Move Skills Check Tools Paper-based/computer-based Resources available: standard tools/ workplace tools/guidance documents Available from Fast Track Assessment Paper-based Resources available: Fast Track/written papers/ Fast Track 20 questions/user guide Available from

Skills for Life Support Programme 9 Smart Move –Part A has seven literacy and seven numeracy questions at Entry 2 to Level 1. –Part B has five literacy and five numeracy questions at Level 2. Part B should be attempted only by a user: –who gains the target mark in Part A, or –who has GCSE English or GCSE Maths at grade C or above, or an equivalent qualification such as key skills at Level 2. You can skip Part A if you feel this is appropriate.

Skills for Life Support Programme 10 Smart Move (cont) –The literacy questions come before the numeracy questions. –The first literacy question for both Part A and Part B has a script which you will need to read out. The user does not have this script. –Use the introductory script on page 3 of the assessor guide.

Skills for Life Support Programme 11 Smart Move: scoring The correct responses are shown in the assessor guide. Part A 5 marks or fewer – refer for initial assessment 6 or 7 marks – invite the user to continue with Part B Part B 3 marks or fewer – refer for initial assessment 4 or 5 marks – advise on appropriate next steps. For example, discuss other training needs, consider speaking and listening skills.

Skills for Life Support Programme 12 Resources and further information To obtain a PDF version of Good Practice Guidelines in Skills Check and Initial Assessment To order or download copies of the paper and ICT versions of Smart Move The main website for information about Skills for Life, including qualifications and assessment

Skills for Life Support Programme 13 Resources and further information (cont) For information about teacher training in the lifelong learning (post-16) sector, and about the qualifications that teachers who conduct initial and diagnostic assessments are required to hold. LLUK information and advice service: Tel Has information about the Level 2 Adult Learner Support qualification

Skills for Life Support Programme Contacts Add contact details here: Presenter Address Presenter Telephone (optional) Skills for Life Support Programme Office Contacts: CfBT Education Trust Tel: