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July 24th - the Functional Skills
newsletter
Just one news story this week, a
reminder that the Annual Functional Skills Survey and Report is underway.
It is designed to be completed in about 10-15 minutes and has about 20
questions covering areas such as Confidence, Awarding Bodies, Resources and
Training. It's a vital piece of work we do every year and we'll be publishing
results of the survey in September.
We've already had around 100 completed surveys - thank you
if you've already done it and to encourage more completions we're using the
sponsorship funds kindly donated by OCR and Pearson to support 1 of 4
charities.
At the end of the survey simply
choose from Children in Need, CLIC Sargent, Dogs Trust or Prostate Cancer UK
and we'll make a donation to thank you for your effort and time.
Functional Skills Annual Survey Report
for 2012
It will take you around 10-15 minutes.
The results we get are used widely in the sector plus this year, we are
being supported by OCR, Pearson and EMSkills who have all kindly sponsored key
survey questions.
Even better, we've using the sponsorship funds to support
some of our favourite charities, simply make your choice at the end of the survey!
The summary report is scheduled for
publication in September, please email jwells@guroo.co.uk if you have any questions at all.
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Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Functional Skills Newsletter - please complete the survey
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Monday, 9 July 2012
Making Sense of Functional Skills Newsletter July 10th
July
10th - the Functional Skills newsletter
This week, we launch
the Annual Functional Skills Survey and Report with a request for you to
complete the survey. It is designed to be completed in about 10-15
minutes and covers areas including Confidence, Awarding Organisations,
Resources and Training. It's a vital piece of work we do every year (last
year we had more than 350 responses) and we'll be publishing results of the
survey in September.
We
also have news of funding rates, links to an excellent NIACE resource, news
that Functional Skills will become even more important from September 2013 and
booking details for the second OCR/Guroo webinar, which takes place Wednesday 11th
(tomorrow) at 4pm. Places are limited so get in quick if you'd like to
listen to Jonathan Wells of Guroo introducing Garry Haynes of OCR.
And don't
forget that Guroo's innovative Functional Skills Direct initiative is running
successfully and includes self-service access to
the free trial system, something which is proving incredibly popular.
Functional Skills Annual Survey Report for 2012
One the biggest jobs of the year that we do is to design, deliver,
analyse and publish the Annual Functional Skills Survey. Last year, we had more
than 350 responses making it the biggest and most comprehensive survey of its
type. Click here to read last year's
report.
It will take you around 10-15 minutes. The results we get
are used widely in the sector plus this year, we are being supported by OCR,
Pearson and EMSkills who have all kindly sponsored key survey questions.
The summary report is scheduled for publication in September,
please email jwells@guroo.co.uk if
you have any questions at all.
Functional Skills in the news
SFA announce funding rates for Functional Skills will be £336 per
subject (more for Entry Level Maths). Click
here for the link to the excellent FE Week summary.
NIACE have published a nice three minute video supporting a new document
available on free download from here covering what Functional Skills means for
adult learners. Click
here to get to the right page on the NIACE website.
Functional Skills will get an even higher profile from September 2013,
as DfE have said that all students who have yet to acheive grade C GCSE in
English and maths will have to carry on taking both subjects to age 18. Click here to read the BBC
report.
Supportive
Tips for Delivering Functional Skills: OCR Webinar in association with Guroo
When - Wednesday
July 11th at 4.00pm
Where - at your
desk, ipad, or in your own time if you listen to the recording
What - Developing a
resource bank of functional skills tasks (key ingredients for robust tasks -
English, Mathematics and ICT) and delivering process skills in the classroom
and workplace learning environment
Who - Introduced by
Jonathan Wells (MD of Guroo) and delivered by Garry Haynes (Qualifications
Manager for OCR)
Wednesday
Webinar Recordings
Replay
previous webinars at the links below. Simply enter your name and use
"guroo" as the password.
Monday, 25 June 2012
June 26th - the Functional Skills newsletter
This week we have news about the September Ofsted Inspection Guidance and how Functional Skills features, news of another OCR/Guroo webinar, you chance to get involved in the next Functional Skills Annual Survey Report, details of a Functional Skills conference organised by Neil Stewart Associates and finally updates to the Wednesday Webinar recordings.
This week we have news about the September Ofsted Inspection Guidance and how Functional Skills features, news of another OCR/Guroo webinar, you chance to get involved in the next Functional Skills Annual Survey Report, details of a Functional Skills conference organised by Neil Stewart Associates and finally updates to the Wednesday Webinar recordings.
And don't forget that Guroo's
innovative Functional Skills Direct initiative is running successfully and
includes self-service access to the free trial system, something which is proving
incredibly popular.
The OCR/Guroo Functional Skills Webinar
Series
We're absolutely delighted to announce
a new partnership that brings together Guroo's extensive Functional Skills
network with the curriculum and qualifications experience of OCR.
The next webinar will be on Wednesday
July 11th at the usual time of 4.00pm. It will be hosted by Jonathan
Wells of Guroo with the "core" being delivered by Garry Haynes, OCR's
qualifications team manager for Functional Skills and the new Proficiency
Qualifications.
The first one last week went well but
we understand from some of the audience that the sound wasn't as good as
normal. We promise to try to fix this! To play back
"Transition from KS/SfL to Functional Skills", simply click here, enter any name and the password is
"guroo".
Book your place now by emailing info@guroo.co.uk
Functional Skills Annual Survey Report
for 2012
One the biggest jobs of the year that
we do is to design, deliver, analyse and publish the Annual Functional Skills
Survey. Last year, we had more than 350 responses making it the biggest and
most comprehensive survey of its type. Click here to read last year's report.
We plan to launch the 2012 survey with
a link in the next newsletter scheduled for July 10th but this is a chance to
suggest questions we should include - what would you like to know about
Functional Skills?
Please email jwells@guroo.co.uk direct with your suggestions and we'll take
the most relevant and interesting and include them where we can.
Ofsted handbook for the inspection of FE and Skills from Sept 2012
There are some really interesting references to Functional Skills in
this document which is available in full from here. They include:
- Section 148 (personal, social and
employability skills)
- Section 160 (achievement of learning goals and
career aims)
- Judging the quality of teaching learning and
assessment
Perhaps the most relevant mention is in section 173 which judges whether
leaders and managers successfully plan programmes that meet the needs of
learners, employers and the community. In this section the inspectors
will assess:
"whether learning programmes contain appropriate attention to
improving learners’ English, mathematics and functional skills and ensuring
development of their employability skills"
From policy to implementation - Functional Skills event on
July 11th
The conference is being chaired by
Maureen Emmett who was a leading light on the development of Functional Skills
at QCDA with Jonathan Wells of Guroo and Jill Lanning of FAB amongst the
speakers.
Maureen now heads EMSkills which
delivers cost effective training for Functional Skills delivery including
training programmes and workshops delivered by a highly experienced team.
Click here for a link or call EMSkills on 01992
306862 or info@emskills.org.uk
The Functional Skills Wednesday Webinar
A return to the webinar hot seat for
our support team in the shape of Andy this week who will focus on data, admin,
reports and groups.
So if you're a new Guroo user, a trial
user, or just need a refresher, a great chance to get right up to speed with
all the latest developments.
Email info@guroo.co.uk and we'll send you the link on Wednesday.
As always, the Wednesday 27th June
Guroo webinars will start at just after 4.00pm
Replay previous webinars at the links
below. Simply enter your name and use guroo as the password.
Friday, 15 June 2012
Are the SFA mad?
I ask this because just a few weeks ago, I saw a senior manager of SFA accept in open forum that Functional Skills (compared to Adult Basic Skills) were:
More rigorous
and therefore
Needed more teaching time
Yet FE Week reports today that funding guidelines will cut the funding available by 40% and a good piece by Roger Francis of Mindleaders confirms this view.
I'm sorry, but this is just plain crazy and it will mean that providers will do all they can to avoid Functional Skills.
More rigorous
and therefore
Needed more teaching time
Yet FE Week reports today that funding guidelines will cut the funding available by 40% and a good piece by Roger Francis of Mindleaders confirms this view.
I'm sorry, but this is just plain crazy and it will mean that providers will do all they can to avoid Functional Skills.
Monday, 11 June 2012
June
12th - the Functional Skills newsletter
This week
we're delighted to announce a new series of Functional Skills webinars
developed in partnership with OCR. Transition from KS/SfL to Functional
Skills will be delivered by Susan Salter of OCR and Jonathan Wells of Guroo
live from the AELP national conference on June 20th. We have a round up
of news stories related to maths and English in schools plus a reminder of key
LSIS events and this week's webinar topic.
And don't forget that Guroo's innovative Functional Skills Direct
initiative is running successfully and includes self-service access to the free trial system, something which is proving
incredibly popular.
The OCR/Guroo Functional Skills Webinar Series
We're absolutely delighted to announce a new partnership that brings
together Guroo's extensive Functional SKills network with the curriculum and
qualifications experience of OCR.
This kicks off with a series of three newly developed webinars to be run
on Wednesday afternoons June 20th, June 27th and July 4thand based on the
presentations made by curriculum experts at the OCR road shows.
The first one will be hosted and introduced by Jonathan Wells of Guroo
and delivered by Susan Salter of OCR and is entitled "Transition from
KS/SfL to Functional Skills". It will be delivered live from the AELP
national conference on Wednesday 20th at the normal webinar time of 4.05pm.
Book your place now by emailing info@guroo.co.uk
Functional
Skills in the press
Perhaps the
biggest story of the week has been the curriculum review in schools.
There have been lots of stories that are clearly and directly related to
Functional Skills plus the annual CBI survey which continues to highlight the
need for young people to have better English and maths skills. Here's a
selection:
Tougher
maths (BBC)
Functional Skills roadshow from LSIS
An important series of Functional Skills Roadshows around
the country offering practical and interactive full
day training sessions.
The aim is to help providers prepare for the
implementation of functional skills in their vocational, adult and community
and apprenticeship programmes. It will also provide an opportunity for
participants to apply for LSIS support for functional skills from September.
- Monday 25/6 London
- Tuesday 26/6 Reading & Selby
- Wednesday 27/6 Newcastle
- Thursday 28/6 Leicestershire &
Stockport
- Friday 29/6 Bristol (1/2 day)
- Wednesday 4/7 Bristol (1/2 day)
- Friday 6/7 Birmingham
·
Thursday 12/7 Exeter
Guroo Support will be at all the events where there's space for exhibitors with our stand manned by Andy or Simon.
The Functional
Skills Wednesday Webinar
A return to the webinar hot seat for Jonathan this week with this week's
webinar on initial levelling, diagnostic assessment and our experiences of how
students adapt to Functional Skills. The webinar will feature:
- Paper based levelling tool
- On-line assessment
- Diagnostic results
Email info@guroo.co.uk and we'll send you the link on Wednesday.
It's a session that's relevant for everyone with an interest in
Functional Skills so join us at 4.05pm on Wednesday 13th June for another
informative webinar.
Replay previous webinars at the links below. Simply enter your name and
use guroo as the password.
Guroo
Support will be at all the events where there's space for exhibitors with
our stand manned by Andy or Simon.
June
12th - the Functional Skills newsletter
This week
we're delighted to announce a new series of Functional Skills webinars
developed in partnership with OCR. Transition from KS/SfL to Functional
Skills will be delivered by Susan Salter of OCR and Jonathan Wells of Guroo
live from the AELP national conference on June 20th. We have a round up
of news stories related to maths and English in schools plus a reminder of key
LSIS events and this week's webinar topic.
And don't forget that Guroo's innovative Functional Skills Direct
initiative is running successfully and includes self-service access to the free trial system, something which is proving
incredibly popular.
The OCR/Guroo Functional Skills Webinar Series
We're absolutely delighted to announce a new partnership that brings
together Guroo's extensive Functional SKills network with the curriculum and
qualifications experience of OCR.
This kicks off with a series of three newly developed webinars to be run
on Wednesday afternoons June 20th, June 27th and July 4thand based on the
presentations made by curriculum experts at the OCR road shows.
The first one will be hosted and introduced by Jonathan Wells of Guroo
and delivered by Susan Salter of OCR and is entitled "Transition from
KS/SfL to Functional Skills". It will be delivered live from the AELP
national conference on Wednesday 20th at the normal webinar time of 4.05pm.
Book your place now by emailing info@guroo.co.uk
Functional
Skills in the press
Perhaps the
biggest story of the week has been the curriculum review in schools.
There have been lots of stories that are clearly and directly related to
Functional Skills plus the annual CBI survey which continues to highlight the
need for young people to have better English and maths skills. Here's a
selection:
Tougher
maths (BBC)
Functional Skills roadshow from LSIS
An important series of Functional Skills Roadshows around
the country offering practical and interactive full
day training sessions.
The aim is to help providers prepare for the
implementation of functional skills in their vocational, adult and community
and apprenticeship programmes. It will also provide an opportunity for
participants to apply for LSIS support for functional skills from September.
- Monday 25/6 London
- Tuesday 26/6 Reading & Selby
- Wednesday 27/6 Newcastle
- Thursday 28/6 Leicestershire &
Stockport
- Friday 29/6 Bristol (1/2 day)
- Wednesday 4/7 Bristol (1/2 day)
- Friday 6/7 Birmingham
·
Thursday 12/7 Exeter
Guroo Support will be at all the events where there's space for exhibitors with our stand manned by Andy or Simon.
The Functional
Skills Wednesday Webinar
A return to the webinar hot seat for Jonathan this week with this week's
webinar on initial levelling, diagnostic assessment and our experiences of how
students adapt to Functional Skills. The webinar will feature:
- Paper based levelling tool
- On-line assessment
- Diagnostic results
Email info@guroo.co.uk and we'll send you the link on Wednesday.
It's a session that's relevant for everyone with an interest in
Functional Skills so join us at 4.05pm on Wednesday 13th June for another
informative webinar.
Replay previous webinars at the links below. Simply enter your name and
use guroo as the password.
Guroo
Support will be at all the events where there's space for exhibitors with
our stand manned by Andy or Simon.
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