Functional Skills Subject silo's

I was training a group recently in one subject and a fairly heated discussion ensued about the impact of other subjects.  

Position 1.  My students are very capable of the vast majority of level 2 Mathematics but aren't spatially aware so itsn't fair that they won't pass level2 maths as it includes 2D to 3D representation.

Position 2.  My students can do maths but because they are required to read and write in the maths test, they won't be able to pass.

My view - it isn't about passing exams, it's about making students functional in the world of education, work and community.  And that pretty much means that students who can't read and write aren't functional irrespective of whether thay can do Functional Mathematics.  It isn't about compensation of some, it's about mastery of all.