Functional Skills Newsletter Nov 2nd

Our fortnightly look at the world of Functional Skills.

This week we report on the Ofsted Chief Inspector's comments about Functional Skills, a quick look at the Spending Review in relation to Functional Skills, fully updated guidance for administering Functional Skills assessments for exam officers (why not forward this newsletter to them now) and a reminder that Guroo subscribers are entitled to a free place at the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference on Tuesday 16th November.

Ofsted on Diplomas and Functional Skills. Christine Gilbert, Chief Inspector at Ofsted in the report "Diplomas: the second year" had a number of interesting comments. Perhaps the most revealing was that students didn't know that Functional Skills were a key part of the course! Click here for the Press Association report.

"The findings show that many students did not realise that "functional skills" in English, maths and information and communication technology (ICT) were an important part of their course."

"Diploma students were enthusiastic about the vocational elements of their courses and excelled when given the chance to apply their learning to work-based situations."

"More also needs to be done to make the teaching of the functional skills of English, mathematics and ICT more industry-relevant, and joined up with the main subject content."

The CSR - what does it really mean? Even after the Governments announcements - are we really that much clearer on what it all means? Trying to cut through all the scare stories and political positioning, we think the CSR means for Functional Skills:

• Direct school budgets are sort of protected but extra money, previously ring fenced for specific projects is unlikely to be available so it's possible some schools will lose out.
• FE budgets will be cut with a move away from funding adult courses, the dropping of EMA but an increase in Apprenticeships will help in 16-19.
• Central organisations continue to suffer, following on the heels of Becta and QCDA, the SSAT now appears to be under threat with the removal of all central funding.

Guroo subscribers go free to the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference - but you must book! Making Sense of Functional Skills is in London on Tuesday 16th November. Join more than 100 like minded colleagues and a reminder that Guroo subscribers get one free place and one half price place - call us for the promotion code. Newsletter readers save £25 by using the promotion code NEWS25.

Exam officers - updated information about administering Functional Skills assessments. The newsletter has officially declared it's "help the exam officer" week. Start by letting them know that updated guidance is available here.

Functional Skills resources from Guroo

Next issue! The next issue of the Functional Skills newsletter will be sent on Tuesday 16th November, the same day as the Functional Skills conference. If you have a story, a question or a suggestion - please contact jwells@guroo.co.uk Please also feel free to forward this newsletter to your Functional Skills friends, it's free, informative and occasionally just a little bit of fun - and don't forget to book your place at the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference - I'm the chair!