SEPTEMBER 2010
Are you ready?
Centres are gearing up for delivery of Functional Skills in September 2010.
We look at what you need to be doing in preparation
A
s centres across the country get features face-to-face training, e-learning 2010, self-evaluation tables are available on
ready to teach Functional Skills from and consultancy. These are aimed at subject the FSSP support website (see page 16).
September 2010, there is a wide range leaders and teachers of English, mathematics Elsewhere, exam office staff have a vital
of support on offer. and ICT in particular and are supported role to play as they prepare to manage the
The Functional Skills Support Programme by publications, CPD, network events and assessment requirements for Functional Skills
(FSSP) has been set up to prepare teachers, opportunities for online collaboration through qualifications from September 2010.
leaders and managers to introduce Functional the FSSP website (see page 16). Exams office staff need to check
Skills in centres. Support ranges from Nine regional advisors from the National which awarding bodies and specification
developing applied learning to taking a whole- Strategies are working with local authorities choices their centres have selected for each
school approach to implementing Functional to support schools. They are training local subject. They must then confirm what the
Skills within the curriculum. authority consultants to deliver the core administrative arrangements are for the
The FSSP is available free to all schools training to schools and are also helping to Functional Skills qualifications, when the
and post-16 education and training centres. develop and share effective practice. assessments take place, and whether any
Support for schools is provided by the The face-to-face training features seven special facilities and resources are required.
National Strategies while support for the modules dealing with various aspects of Within the pilot, a total of 11 awarding
post-16 sector is offered by the Learning and teaching Functional Skills. These include an bodies are offering Functional Skills
Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) and is co- introduction for schools covering the basic qualifications but this number may change
ordinated with National Strategies guidance. It ideas behind the programme and giving when the pilot ends in September 2010, so
is worth noting that much of the LSIS support practical planning examples, a module on it is important to stay up-to-date. Also, the
is relevant for schools as well. successful pedagogy for skills development, assessment windows and methods offered may
The National Strategies’ help for schools and another on how Assessment for vary from the Functional Skills pilot.
focuses on teaching and learning and Learning (AfL) is used for Functional Skills The QCDA provides a programme of
development. support for centres, including training events
Five of these modules are available as for exams office staff and both film and
Key points for implementation
e-learning on the National Strategies’ website. printed case studies (see page 16).
Evidence from the pilot shows that In addition, there is a leadership web resource The Functional Skills Toolkit is a useful
Functional Skills work well to enhance which is now online, and a final module, source of information, covering aspects like
learning and progress when they are: Securing Functional Skills, will be available in acquiring unique learner numbers, prior
• the summer (2010). achievement forms, the administration The responsibility of all teachers and
not just those in English, mathematics The Strategies is also providing a series of requirements of each awarding body, and an
and ICT. regional events throughout 2010 focusing on exams office case study that highlights good
• key aspects of implementation. practice in administering Functional Skills. An integral, but explicit feature of
the curriculum and linked to Personal, Paul Higgins, programme director,
Learning and Thinking Skills. Functional Skills, at the National Strategies,
Further information
• Used to solve problems in realistic, told SecEd: “With such a large pilot, the See page 16 for a full list of resources.
purposeful and relevant contexts. majority of centres will already have some
• Transferred and applied across the experience of Functional Skills in key stage
curriculum and to life, work and 4. Furthermore, all schools should have been
Checklist for exams office staff
learning beyond school. developing functionality in years 7 and 8 as 1, Check which awarding bodies your
part of the new secondary curriculum. centre is using for each of the three
Leadership advice
“Schools will also be very aware of the Functional Skills qualifications, and at
The National Strategies says that in order functional and applied learning built into which levels.
to achieve the above, senior and middle the new GCSE specifications for English, 2, Go through the administrative
leaders need to: mathematics and ICT,” he explained. “So procedures for these awarding bodies.
• Develop the vision. a key message is to build on what they are 3, Identify the key dates for the three
• Shape the curriculum. already doing with the new curriculum and Functional Skills qualifications,
• Support CPD. the pilot so as to be ready to implement including written assessments, on-screen
• Provide the time and opportunities for Functional Skills for all.” assessments and awarding body deadlines
collaborative planning and practice. To help schools identify what more needs to for entries and teacher-assessed units.
be done to ensure they are ready in September
SecEd 5 15
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