FS News May 18

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

The big stories from the election and coalition have pushed out most smaller stories but we found another QCDA video about Functional Skills in GCSE, some technical information about QCF credits, new publications about work experience in Diplomas and transition arrangements for Functional Skills English.

A very enthusiastic and positive video! Turton High School teach Functional Skills discretely at KS3. This video looks at their approach and features more great evidence that students actually like doing Functional Skills (and teachers like teaching them as well!)

Functional Skills worth 5 QCF credits. The DCSF (this was pre DFE) have advised that 5 QCF credits is equivalent to a notional learning time of 50 hours which accords to the 45 GLH assigned to Functional Skills plus 5 hours for personal studies. Although there are no credits in the NQF, it is accepted that functional skills on the NQF will have an equivalent value of 5 credits and this has been agreed for both Foundation Learning and Apprenticeships. This is a policy decision by DCSF.

More QCDA stuff. A new 16 page booklet about work experience in diplomas and news about transition arrangements for students who pass some elements of English but not all.

The jokes and switchover have started. During the period when all www.DCSF.gov.uk sites are being gradually updated and replaced by www.education.gov.uk sites, our twitter and google alerts have picked up several spoof sites and stories (at least we think they are spoofs and they may not be around for long). Try www.education.gove.uk the twitter tags @education.gov.uk and @educationgoveuk whilst the new DfE have their own twitter feed at @educationgovuk

Functional Skills resources from Guroo

Last minute GCSE revision? Try mixing Maths with iPods!

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