November 27th - the Functional Skills
newsletter
"As replacement qualifications, Functional Skills were
funded at the same rate as Key Skills. This announcement acknowledges that
Functional Skills are larger and more rigorous qualifications than Key Skills
with greater demands for learners."
So in this week’s newsletter we have
summarised the current position based on the SFA document and we have also
analysed the other comments and supporting evidence that no doubt influenced
the Government decision to double funding rates.
This week's webinar will go ahead on
Wednesday at 4.00pm. This week we're doing the "Functional
Skills Policy Update" and that will include funding
summaries. Plus we have links to previous webinar recordings too – a
reminder that you will need to login as a guest and the password is always
password.
As always, your comments and thoughts
are appreciated - let us know what you'd like us to cover in the newsletter by
emailing the editor - jwells@guroo.co.uk
SFA Funding Rates for English and Maths
qualifications
Where can I see the SFA document?
How is it being done?
For this year, the Standard Learner
Number (SLN) value for Functional English and maths is being adjusted from 0.08
to 0.168 - an increase of 110%. So if you are funded by reference to the SLN,
your rate will more than double.
When do the changes take effect?
Now is the short answer.
Providers claim through their existing 16-18 Apprenticeship budget and single
Adult Skills Budget.
What does this mean?
The table below is take directly from
the SFA document and applies to 2012/13. Providers funded through model
22 (typically FE Colleges using an unlisted rate) will see no change.
|
|
Current
Rate
|
New
Rate
|
|
16-18
Apprenticeships
|
£224
|
£471
|
|
19-24
Apprenticeships (plus employer contribution)
|
£173
|
£362
|
|
25+
Apprenticeships (plus employer contribution)
|
£138
|
£290
|
|
19+
Standalone delivered through Funding Model 45
|
£314
|
£724
|
Why the change and
what happens next?
Rigorous qualifications for Maths and
English are high on the Government agenda, of that there is no doubt. There has
been a lot of pressure from the market including many high profile providers
arguing the case for more funding, clear evidence from the Guroo sponsored
Functional Skills Annual Survey showed an 80% increase in challenge, and the
Governments own research through reports and committees.
Funding rates for next year will be
announced in January 2013. At the same time, a new simplified funding
system will be introduced and to quote the SFA.
"Under simplification, each
qualification will have a single rate which will make funding levels transparent and we will scrap the different
funding models that exist between workplace and classroom based
provision."
|
What others are saying
FE Week were quickly onto the story
with additional comment from NIACE and The 157 Group. Click here to link to the FE week piece.
There's an active discussion
happening on the Functional Skills Network group in Linkedin. Click here to read and perhaps even join!
|
Wednesday Webinar at 4.00pm
This week’s webinar is entitled "Functional Skills Policy Update". Jonathan will take you through a
15 minute look at changes to Functional Skills Policy including Funding.
Previous webinars are recorded and
available anytime for playback - login as a guest and the password is password.
Simply click on the links below and don’t forget, if you’d like to have your
own 1:1 webinar looking at how Guroo can help you support Functional Skills,
just call us on 0191 305 5045 or email info@guroo.co.uk and we’ll take it from there.
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