What are functional skills ?

July 16th, 2010
Functional skills are in English, mathematics and ICT and are aimed to help people to gain the most out of life, learning and work.

The functional skills are learning tools that enable people:

• to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding to everyday life

• to engage competently and confidently with others

• to use functional skills to solve problems in both familiar and unfamiliar situations

• to develop personally and professionally as positive citizens who can actively contribute to society.

The functional skills standards are technical documents that define and differentiate the skill requirements for the functional skills qualifications.

Functional Skills levels

July 16th, 2010
There are key factors in determining a pupil’s level of functional skills. The coverage and range of functional skills levels are indicative. A pupil may understand the functional skills content within the coverage and range column at a given level but the functional skill level is determined by the learner’s ability to use and apply this information for life situations.

Functional Skills mathematics

July 16th, 2010

The functional skills mathematics standards involve developing and recognising the ability of learners to apply and transfer skills. For mathematics to be useful, pupils must have the functional skills to enable them to apply, combine and adapt their mathematical knowledge and skills to new situations in their life.

Functional Skills English

July 16th, 2010

The Framework for secondary English  includes functional skills in its structure and content at Key stages 2 – 4. The aim of the functional skills English standards is to encourage learners to demonstrate their skills in speaking and listening, reading and writing skills.

Functional Skills ICT

July 16th, 2010

Functional Skills ICT  involves information gathering, presentation and technical processing skills, and key concepts related to the nature of ICT. Functional Skills ICT involves a set of technical competences in common software applications.

Delivering Functional Skills

July 16th, 2010

Functional skills are signposted within the new National Curriculum. Pupils develop their functional skills as they progress through the key stages. Functional skills are contained within the materials and resources developed by the National Strategies to support the new curriculum.

Functional Skills for 2010

July 16th, 2010

Functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT are to be launched in September 2010. Functional skills are included in new GCSE criteria from 2010 and functional skills are a requirement for apprenticeships, diplomas and the foundation learning tier.