Functional Skills

What are Functional Skills?

 The Department of Education and Skills define …

“Functional skills are practical skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT) that allow individuals to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.” (Department for Education and Skills)

Functional Skills assess the fundamental skills of English and maths and help to prepare people with the skills that they may need in their working and professional lives. The courses provide people with these fundamental maths and literacy skills and tools.

There are different levels of Functional Skills Qualifications:

• Entry Level 1
• Entry Level 2
• Entry Level 3
• Level 1
• Level 2

• Entry-level 1-3 is below GCSE level.
• Level 1 is equivalent to GCSE grades 1-3.
• Level 2 is comparable to GCSE grade 4.

Once learners have completed and passed their first Functional Skills Qualification, they can progress onto the next level. After Level 1 and 2 learners can choose to study further, with the options of taking GCSE, or progress into employment or vocational training.

All Functional Skills Assessments are graded as either pass or fail. There aren’t any coursework or portfolio-based elements, and the qualification result is based solely on assessment papers. At OTF these exams can be taken online. The online exams can be taken on demand whenever the learner feels ready or after a discussion between the learner and the tutor, because at OTF we acknowledge that taking an assessment can be daunting therefore a joined up empathetic approach is a useful tool to give the young person the confidence to have a go.

Learners are not expected to have any prior knowledge or qualifications before enrolling in a Functional Skills program.

The Importance of Functional Skills Qualifications

One of the most important reasons that learners should consider taking Functional Skills Qualifications is that they help to equip learners with the skills they need for the workplace, which is very attractive for employers, and they are also evidence that young people and adults have a basic qualification in life skills of English and Maths.

English and Maths are the subjects that are included in most training and educational programmes. They are required part of Diplomas, Foundation Learning Programmes and Apprenticeships. Functional Skills can be studied as stand-alone qualifications or as a stepping stone to GCSEs or as an alternative.

How can OTF support learners?

OTF offer functional skills to our secondary groups. We are a registered centre to administer exams once a learner is prepared. Recognising that many learners may not have proficiency in English and maths, our approach focuses on bolstering their confidence and building their skills through vocational portfolios. This approach means that the young people can learn the skills in a less formal setting, before transitioning their skills to a more formal setting in preparation for the relevant assessment.

We employ specialised and qualified tutors for English and Maths who conduct sessions, either in small groups or on a one-on-one basis. The learning environment is both friendly and workshop-oriented, ensuring a student-centric atmosphere. Each learner undergoes an initial assessment to determine their starting point, that is a taken online. Following this an individualised learning plan is crafted to monitor progress and ensure goal attainment, with weekly individual plans that have space and time for personalised reflection, to ensure a gentle approach to make sure each week is both engaging and achievable for the young person.

To maintain consistent engagement and motivation, learners meet with the tutor either weekly or bi-weekly. This frequent interaction ensures they remain connected to the course and have a clear point of contact with their tutor for any questions or concerns. Additionally, an online learning portal is also provided, enabling learners to work autonomously on assigned tasks, complemented by pre-existing tutor-led instructional videos.