Making Sense of Functional Skills Newsletter Nov 8th

November 8th - the Functional Skills newsletter

In this issue, we have very important news about the future of Functional Skills in Apprenticeships, an update from the Awarding Organsiations on how on-screen assessments are developing, events and news that are relevant to Functional Skills, and the launch of Wednesday Webinars from Guroo.

The Minister confirms that Functional Skills will replace Key Skills in all Apprenticeship programmes in September.

We received confirmation this week from John Hayes MP, the Minister of State for Further Education and Skills, that Functional Skills will definitely replace Key Skills by September.

The Minister said

“I want to re-assure you that I am committed to replacing Key Skills with Functional Skills in English and Maths (and ICT if required by the framework), as a mandatory component of all Apprenticeship frameworks, from the end of September 2012.

I was interested to read the finding from your own survey, particularly that there is a high level of confidence with Functional Skills across providers, colleges and schools. We know that Functional Skills involve high quality teaching away from the job and this is important to provide apprentices with an essential base of high quality transferable skills to support their career progression.”

So there we have it in black and white; absolute confirmation that Functional Skills in Apprenticeships is the way forward, and the Minister's confirmation that he sees Functional Skills as essential.

The full text of the letter is here.

Changes to on-screen assessments from the Awarding Organisations

In the same week that the Minister confirmed his support for Functional Skills, City & Guilds made an update announcement about Functional Skills assessments covering:

• Functional Skills Mathematics on-screen available now
• Functional Skills ICT on-screen arriving this month
• Anytime paper assessment moves closer

Click here for the City & Guilds annoucement.

Edexcel are following a similar path with an update to their progress towards on-screen assessments here.

And we know of at least one AO that is developing an assessment system where students sit their exam on a Friday, with results on Monday! Keep reading this newsletter for more information about all these developments.

14-19 events and other news

You'll find the Guroo team at "The Future of Apprenticeships" in London on November 24th. Click here for a link to the full programme. This is an event that Guroo will be attending as exhibitors.

Much as we'd love to be there, unfortunately we can't attend the Skills Conference in Nottingham this week. Have a great time if you're going and maybe we'll see you at this event next year.

Learning and Skills Network (LSN, one time managers of the Functional Skills Support programme and heavily involved in many aspects of 14-19 education and support) have gone into administration. More on this from FE Week here.

The Wednesday Webinar from Guroo

Guroo are delivering a series of "Wednesday Webinars" over the next few weeks.

Scheduled for late afternoon so you can grab a cuppa, click the link, and relax while we take you through an on-screen presentation in around 20 minutes.

• Wednesday 9th November - Initial Assessment and Diagnostics for Functional Skills by Guroo
• Wednesday 16th November - Teaching and Learning Resources for Functional Skills by Guroo
• Wednesday 23rd November - What's new in Guroo 2.1 (aimed mainly at existing customers)

How does it work? It's easy; email us at info@guroo.co.uk (from your work email address please) and we'll send you full joining instructions. All you need is an online computer with speakers or headphones.

You can just sit back, watch and listen - or interact and ask questions via online chat.

Is Wednesday a bad day for you? Then email us and we'll sort something out just for you!