Information and resources available from awarding organisations to help you deliver functional skills qualifications in English and maths.
Overview of functional skills qualifications
“Functional Skills qualifications should provide reliable evidence of a student’s achievements against demanding content… [and] provide a foundation for progression into employment or further technical education and develop skills for everyday life.” Ofqual
Functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics are available at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The skills criteria for them specify assessment outcomes for qualifications at each level in terms of skill standards, coverage and range. Both skills have a set of performance standards based on three key areas:
English
- Speaking and listening
- Reading
- Writing
Mathematics
- Representing – selecting the mathematics and information required to model a situation
- Analysing – processing and using mathematics
- Interpreting and communicating the results of the analysis
Functional skills qualifications are small in size (55 guided learning hours), often assessed after learners complete a short course and available ‘on-demand’ in many cases, which means learners can take their assessment when they are ready to do so. In response to recent difficulties around learner assessments due to Covid 19, many awarding organisations are now offering the option for learners to take the assessments remotely.
Which awarding organisations offer functional skills qualifications?
You can find a current list of the awarding organisations that offer them and information on which can offer remote assessment and remote invigilation on the gov.uk website
Do they offer resources to support the delivery of functional skills qualifications?
Yes. Awarding organisations provide key documents, sample assessments and video explainers to support you. Increasingly, they are also offering webinars to help guide you through the qualification process and answer any queries you may have. Some also have online support communities.
More information is available directly from each awarding organisation via their website.
