Preparing for functionality - update and transition

Preparing for Functionality – update and transition

The KSSP has been busy helping current key skills centres prepare for the transition to functional skills. The work that has been done in your centre through key skills (and Skills for Life) will all be very useful experience in the preparation for functional skills. These are a new suite of qualifications which will replace both key skills and Skills for Life qualifications.

The functional skills Pilot

If you are a pilot centre for functional skills (2007 – 08) you will already have received support in the form of four days of CPD training provided by the functional skills Support Programme through SNS (Secondary National Strategies), LSN and your Local Authority. If you need further information about this training contact SNS through their web site at:

http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/secondary/keystage4/iss/ks4_fssp/explained/

In addition you will have received the functional skills Support Programme materials. These have been written to support pilot centres in developing their approach to teaching and learning of functionality in English, mathematics and ICT, together with the Managing delivery publication for those responsible for implementation. If you would like to see these publications they are available at:

http://excellence.qia.org.uk/page.aspx?o=functionalskills

The functional skills Support programme has also been delivering briefings for adult providers. For more information about these or any other aspect of the support available contact the functional skills Support Programme at:

http://www.lsneducation.org.uk/functionalskills/

Moving from key skills to functional skills

The basics:

key skills are available from level 1 to level 4 as the following units:

• communication
• application of number
• ICT
• improving own learning and performance
• working with others
• problem solving

functional skills are available from Entry 1 to level 2 in the following subjects:

• functional English
• functional mathematics
• functional ICT

Comparing key skills with functional skills and related qualifications:

Timescales to consider when planning the transition process in your centre:

Teaching and Learning:

The teaching and learning approaches and activities required for functional skills will be very similar to that required in key skills. This can be explained by looking at the following definition of functional skills from QCA in October 2006:

The continuum model of key skills Development still applies, therefore, to the teaching of functional skills.

Wider key skills:

The existing Wider key skills qualifications remain in place at the moment. There no replacement functional skills qualifications for the Wider key skills at the moment. Within the new Diplomas, there are Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTs). Although these are not qualifications and do not, therefore, exist at different levels the PLTs must be taught within the Diploma. There are strong links between the descriptions of the PLTs and the Wider key skills units as summarised below. Remember that there are not, however, direct comparisons between the two, but from the titles of the PLTs and the Wider key skills it is clear what the general aims are:

So what are the challenges for key skills centres as they develop their functional skills delivery?

• Assessment – a different model from key skills
• Awareness raising – keeping your staff up to date
• Curriculum planning – timetabling and links across the curriculum
• Impact on achievement – ensuring that learners achieve at appropriate levels
• Teaching and learning – up-skilling staff and supporting effective delivery across the curriculum
• Volume of learners – this is likely to be very large, especially in schools
• Workforce development – continuing CPD and training for staff

How do we keep up with developments?

Advice for key skills centres

• key skills will continue until at least 2010, with final certification in 2012
• Continue with current effective practice, such as embedding/integrating key skills in main study areas
• Continue with whole organisation approach to delivery of key skills
• Build on existing models of delivery, such as apprenticeship frameworks
• Ensure good practice in teaching and learning continues
• Keep informed about: development of the qualifications; progress of the pilots; developments in assessment; development of the draft standards

More useful information:

For details of the standards and the latest functional skills bulletin (a useful monthly update on developments from QCA, go to www.qca.org.uk/functionalskills

The most recent bulletins are available in pdf below:

The KSSP can help you to extend your good practice in embedding key skills and help to ‘pave the way’ for functional skills.

For further information on functional skills including the standards document, visit the QCA Website

Materials

Management Tool (2) |

Management Tool (Showing 2 of 2 available)

•   Functional Skills Bulletin - Edition Seven  (46 KB) Downloadable file
  Edition Seven of the Functional Skills Bulletin
  
•   Functional Skills Bulletin - Edition Six  (45 KB) Downloadable file
  Edition Six of the Functional Skills Bulletin
  

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