About functional skills
Last updated on: 11/03/2008
Functional skills are practical skills in English, mathematics, and information and communication technology (ICT) that allow individuals to work confidently, effectively and independently in life.
Introduction
To ensure that functional skills are readily available to the full range of learners, they are being offered as free-standing qualifications at Entry level, level 1 and level 2 during the three-year functional skills pilot that began in September 2007. Functional skills will also be constituent qualifications of new Diploma qualifications at levels 1, 2 and 3.
Assessment will be based primarily on task-based scenario questions with a limited duration and delivered in a controlled environment. The assessments will use and reinforce skills-based, problem-solving learning techniques. QCA has developed, with a range of partners, a set of standards for the functional skills pilot qualifications. The standards determine the knowledge and skills proficiency required at each level. For more information on functional skills standards see the 'Standards' page in this section.
Achievement and attainment
The confirmed points allocation for the achievement and attainment tables (AATs) for functional skills qualifications are:
- level 2 = 23 points
- level 1 = 12.5 points
- Entry 3 = 7 points
- Entry 2 = 6 points
- Entry 1 = 5 points.
(N.B. The points for levels 1 and 2 are in addition to points allocated for other qualifications such as GCSEs and Diplomas)
Funding for functional skills
In 2007/08, functional skills qualifications are to be funded at the same rate as key skills, and it is expected that functional skills will replace existing provision. For further education funded provision and school sixth forms, the funding for functional skills is included within the agreed 2007/08 allocations. For 16- to 18-year-olds on a full-time programme in either a school or a college, the per-pupil entitlement funding will include an element to cover access to key and functional skills. Similarly, functional skills delivered separately, or as part of an apprenticeship, will be funded at the same rate as key skills. Colleges, schools and providers should record functional skills qualifications on their appropriate data returns in the usual manner.