Reformed Functional Skills will be introduced in September 2019. The Department for Education’s consultation on subject content ran from 12th September to 7th November 2017. The Government response to the consultation, including a summary of responses received and details of next steps, was published on the 27th of February 2018, along with the revised subject content for Functional skills English and Functional Skills maths.
On the main issues raised regarding the revised subject content, the response states:
“We received a number of specific suggested amendments and clarifications to the subject content. Each suggestion has been considered when producing the final subject content documents for English and mathematics. The main issues which attracted comment included: the use of aids to support spelling, grammar and calculations; the distinction between subject content levels, particularly between Entry Level 3 and Level 1; the number of guided learning hours; and the inclusion of spelling lists based on a structured teaching of phonics approach for the reading and writing English subject content at Entry Levels. These concerns have been addressed in detail further within this response.”
The response concludes:
“We believe that the changes made in response to the consultation appropriately address the issues raised, and that the content we have published will provide people with the high quality qualifications they deserve. Following the publication of the revised subject content we will continue to work with the sector to prepare for the introduction of the reformed English and mathematics Functional Skills qualifications in 2019. In addition, Ofqual will begin the consultation process on the conditions of and guidance for Functional Skills English and mathematics qualifications.”
You can view the full document, the revised subject content for Functional Skills English and Functional Skills maths and an analysis of the effect functional skills subject content in English and maths will have on specific protected groups of people  here
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