October 11th - the Functional Skills newsletter
In this issue, we have a DfE consultation that positively recommends Functional Skills, initial assessment and diagnostic news from Guroo, more DfE consultations including funding per student rather than per qualification, further events in the 14-19 calendar, and a page from BBC Skillswise that shows that no matter how much money you spend and how many checks are made, we all make blindingly obvious errors!
DfE consultation recommends Functional Skills
We've been hinting that we were expecting positive guidance from DfE and BIS about Functional Skills for a while. The first of those announcements has now been made.
The DfE consultation entitled "study programmes for 16-19 year olds" published on 6th October and ending 5th January follows Professor Alison Wolf's report. One of the key elements of that report was to recommend that students aged 16-19 who did not have an A*-C GCSE pass in English and maths should continue to study those subjects through to age 19.
In response to that recommendation, DfE says:
6.3 It is clear that providers will need to adapt their English and maths offer depending on the needs of students. For example:
- Some young people will need an immediate, focussed intervention to turn a near miss into a GCSE pass at the first opportunity
- Some may require more intensive help over a longer period (and possibly taking other qualifications en route to act as stepping stones to the GCSE)
- Some, for whom GCSE success is a long way off, might be better served by taking other qualifications or programmes.
6.4 For those who need more intensive support to move towards achieving a C grade GCSE providers are best placed to determine what will meet their needs and enable them to progress. Based on level of rigour, assessment arrangements, skills taught and views of employers, the qualifications that we recommend to providers are: functional skills and free standing maths qualifications.
So there we have it, the DfE recommends Functional Skills as the qualification of choice for students progressing towards GCSE, or unlikely to achieve GCSE. Click here for the link directly to the consultation paper.
Functional Skills Initial Assessment and Diagnostic
Initial Assessment and Diagnostics is the most notable new feature in version 2.1 of Guroo's Functional Skills subscription service, released this week.
Designed specifically for Functional Skills, the Guroo Initial Assessment uses question content and structures that test specific skills against the official criteria and the Diagnostic results provide links to the Guroo resources that develop the required skills.
The system uses randomised questions to support repeat assessments, and adapts to the learner's answers to indicate a final level between "Working towards Level 1" and "Working at Level 2".
The Sales Bit: Guroo are guaranteeing no price increases for new subscriptions taken out in October and November, so depending on your priorities you can view this as great resources with free Initial Assessment, or a great price on Initial Assessment with free resources! Guroo staff are standing by to give you a quick (or in-depth) online demonstration at a time that suits you. Call them on 0191 305 5045, or email sales@guroo.co.uk
More from the DfE
The annoucement about Functional Skills wasn't the only piece of news from DfE this week. Several other consultations were announced by Schools Minister Nick Gibb that affect the whole of post 16 education, including changes to funding so that schools and colleges will be funded on a per student basis rather than per qualification.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:
The current funding system is plagued by perverse incentives that have diverted some students towards weaker qualifications.
Every student should be taking courses which give them the best chance of succeeding in life.
The current system incentivises schools and colleges to load too many students with low-quality, small or easy qualifications, often in random combinations, that employers do not value.
These reforms will ensure young people are given the information they need to take the courses that benefit them, and that all courses available broaden rather than narrow their options.
It is time the system was fairer and simpler – and worked in favour of young people.
He added:
Too many young people are dropping English and maths before they have secured a good grounding. These vital subjects are critical to the economy and as a country we need all our young people to be fluent and comfortable in these basic skills.
14-19 events coming up
LEACAN is the national education network for local authorities and those working across the 14-19 agenda.
The Winter Forum on Friday 2nd Dec at Leamington Spa, brings together professional peers and colleagues and will be addressed by high calibre national colleagues including the Rt Hon. Estelle Morris; Tim Oates, Cambridge Assessment and Chair of the Expert Panel, National Curriculum Review; Jon Coles, Director General for Education Standards, DfE and Steve Besley, Head of Policy, Pearson.
Guroo will be there of course and the event is open to non-members at £250. If you would like to book or know more please contact Susanne.wait@leacan.co.uk
Another event where you'll find the Guroo team is 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.
Come on BBC Skillswise, even with all the cuts, you can surely do better than this!
We noticed this on the recently re-launched BBC Skillswise site. As they say in BBC land - answers on a postcard please.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/quiz/ma10mult-l1-quiz
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