FS news Mar 30

Our bi-weekly look at the world of Functional Skills.

A special Easter edition featuring accredited exam boards (and an explanation of why English Level 2 isn't there) and the new DCSF policy statement about Functional Skills.

Accredited exam boards for FS announced! The table below shows who got through. We were surprised by the rather short list so we did a little investigation and we believe the reasons are:

• In the past, qualifications could be accredited "with conditions", this no longer happens
• So even where a very minor change is required, until that change is made, the qualification will not be accredited hence the rather short list
• The next date for submissions is 31st May with announcement by end July when we expect lots more exam boards will make it in time for a September start

DCSF make it clear. DCSF have taken the opportunity to restate the Functional Skills position. Two things caught our eye:

"We expect schools to give all young people the opportunity to take stand-alone Functional Skills qualifications by the end of Key Stage 4, alongside GCSEs and any other qualifications they may be taking. This is because only Functional Skills qualifications can provide a guarantee that a young person has the full range of functional skills in a subject"

"Functional Skills qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT and the underpinning curriculum changes in schools will provide a single ladder of progression in these skills, from Key Stage 3 upwards"

Click here for the full statement.

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