GCSE or Functional Skills?

GCSE or Functional Skills - how will you help your learners choose (please complete this (very, very) short survey)

The GCSE/Functional Skills debate continues.  It's an area that Guroo is constantly monitoring - our GCSE Maths Number, GCSE Maths Algebra and GCSE English Writing assessments are being tested now (first release just days away) with GCSE English Writing, GCSE Maths Shape/Space and GCSE Maths Handling Data all due for release by the end of July in good time for September enrolment.

But here's another option we are considering - how do you decide which route is right for your learners, and how do you show evidence to backup that decision?

We've already been asked about this, we'd like to know what you think so please complete our three question survey about this here.  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Choosing_between_GCSE_and_Functional_Skills

AELP Support for Functional Skills

AELP support Functional Skills

The national AELP conference is underway with lots of discussion on funding, employer led training demand and the integration of Government initiatives.

One of the more interesting comments came from Ingeus who were referring to their skills data and the claim that a person with good English, maths and ICT skills is THREE times more likely to re-enter the labour market - we're surprised it's just 3x! 

In relation to maths and English, the AELP manifesto for 2015 recognises the absolute importance of having good English and maths skills but questions whether GCSE is the best route to show this.  AELP will therefore continue to lobby for the retention of Functional Skills until the new (2017) GCSEs are proven to provide the Functional Skills required and to be delivered flexibly and on demand.